The Crew will be looking to carry over their good MLS form into this summer’s Leagues Cup 2023, which starts on July 21. **Columbus Crew**'s debut in the competition will be on July 23 against St. Louis City, and coach Wilfried Nancy will have a squad full of youth prospects and international stars at his disposal for the game..
Columbus Crew have been competing in MLS for 28 years. Throughout their history they have won two MLS Cups (2008 and 2020), the 2002 US Open Cup, three Supporters’ Shields (2004, 2008 and 2009) and the Champions Cup in 2021. **Columbus Crew** have been placed into the **Central 1** group, where they will take on SC Club America and St. Louis City.
Columbus Crew's debut will be on July 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Lower.com Field against St. Louis City, where they will already be setting their sights on a place in the knockout stages. The next match will be on Monday, July 31 against SC Club América at the same stadium, but at 8pm ET (6pm CDMX).
How are Columbus Crew looking heading into Leagues Cup 2023?
**Columbus Crew** have seen an upturn in form this campaign with respect to last season, in which they failed to reach the MLS Playoffs. This year, out of the 23 matches played so far, they have racked up 36 points, winning ten and drawing six matches. They are fifth in the standings, 15 points behind the Eastern Conference leaders.
Frenchman Wilfried Nancy coaches the team, having arrived from CF Montréal in December of 2022, and has overseen an improvement in results. Their hopes of making their mark in the 2023 Leagues Cup will rest on the attacking duo of Cucho Hernández and Lucas Zelarayán, as well as the 21-year-old promising youngster Aidan Morris.
Zelarayán and Hernández, the Crew’s deadly partnership
Juan Camilo Hernández, nicknamed "Cucho", wears the number 9 jersey at Columbus Crew and does that number justice. The 24-year-old is the team's main centre forward, and has had a hand in 11 goals this season.
He has assisted on six occasions and found the net five times. But he is not alone: the Argentine Lucas Zelarayán wears the number ten shirt, and together they make for a fearsome duo to face. The South American has scored eight goals and registered six assists. The pair lead the line for Columbus Crew, and will be looking to carry that form over into Leagues Cup action.
Aidan Morris, the engine in the midfield
Aidan Morris is 21 years old and was born in Fort Lauderdale. He trained at Weston Academy and arrived at Columbus Crew at the start of 2020 , at the age of 18. He has been gaining prominence in the first-team this season, having played 18 matches, in which he has scored three goals and set up another two.
While in the youth ranks, he was called up to the US U16, U18 and U20 national teams He is now also a member of the senior national team roster, where he has already played four matches. He is under contract until December 31, 2026 with Columbus Crew. Will he and his teammates be able to step up to the plate, in this tournament that brings together 47 teams from the leagues of Canada, Mexico and the United States?
