Nicole: St. Louis City SC just lifted their first-ever trophy, and the Columbus Crew? They were on the wrong side of history in the U.S. Open Cup final. But before we dive into that heartbreak, let’s talk about the playoff race, the midfield stagnation, and whether Jamal Thiaré can single-handedly save this season.
Kevin: It’s a heavy week for the Crew. We’ve got the fallout from that penalty shootout loss to St. Louis, plus a look at how close they are to sniffing out a playoff spot despite sitting 21st in MLS with a 10-5-15 record.
Nicole: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Nicole, and this is your daily dose of soccer analysis. Joining me as always is our lead analyst, Kevin.
Kevin: Hey everyone. Thanks for tuning in. It’s going to be a deep dive today since we’re tackling your mailbag questions directly.
Nicole: Here is what we are covering today: First, the immediate aftermath of the Open Cup final and what it means for the squad's morale. Second, we’re answering your questions about the roster battles and that missing creative midfielder we’ve been talking about all week. And third, a fun hypothetical about if the Crew could have won that final with a different tactical setup.
Kevin: Right. And we’ll also touch on the recent win against Cincinnati, because despite the Open Cup loss, there were some bright spots in that 2-0 victory.
Nicole: Let’s get right into it. Marcus in Denver writes in asking about the Open Cup final. He wants to know: 'Was Roman Bürki’s injury the turning point, or was Columbus just outplayed?' What’s your read, Kevin?
Kevin: Well, Marcus, Bürki getting stretchered off was obviously a huge moment, but I don’t think it was the sole turning point. The reality is, Columbus had chances. They lost on penalties, which is often a lottery. The bigger issue is the build-up play we discussed yesterday. Without that creative spark, they struggled to break down St. Louis’s defensive line consistently.
Nicole: Exactly. And looking at the stats from that game, while Bürki’s absence was dramatic, the shot numbers tell a different story. Felipe Mora led Portland with three shots, but Wessam Abou Ali did the same for Columbus. The chances were there; the execution wasn't quite there when it mattered most.
Kevin: Right. And let’s not forget Patrick Schulte made three saves in that match. He kept them in it. But once the game went to penalties, you need composure. Columbus missed those kicks. That’s mental as much as it is tactical.
Nicole: Sarah from Rochester asks a follow-up: 'With St. Louis winning their first trophy, does Columbus have any trophies left in them this year?' Honestly, Sarah, it feels slim. They’re 21st in the standings. The gap to the ninth and final playoff spot is significant.
Kevin: It is significant. But remember, Gonzalo Tapia had a goal and an assist against Cincinnati. Taha Habroune scored his third consecutive game. Those are players who can change a game. If they can keep that momentum, maybe they sneak in. But right now? It looks like they’ll miss the playoffs entirely, which we predicted last week.
Nicole: @SoccerFan99 tweets: 'Why does Rudy Camacho have so many accurate passes if we aren't scoring?' Great question. Camacho had 74 accurate passes in the Portland game. He’s reliable, but he’s a defender. He’s not creating the chance; he’s recycling possession. We need someone to take that possession and turn it into goals.
Kevin: Camacho is the metronome, but without a conductor, the music doesn’t work. He’s doing his job perfectly—74 passes is excellent—but the team lacks the verticality to punish opponents. That’s why we’ve been saying they need an external acquisition. You can’t build a playoff team on 74-pass games from center-backs.
Nicole: Okay, moving on. Cole Bassett had 68 accurate passes for Portland. Some fans are confused about the roles here. Let’s clarify: Bassett plays for Portland now, right? This is a crucial distinction.
Kevin: Yes, Cole Bassett is with Portland Timbers. He was a key part of their attack, leading in accurate passes. For Columbus, the void he left—or rather, the type of player he represents—is what they’re missing. It’s a reminder of what good creative midfield play looks like versus what Columbus currently has.
Nicole: Alright, let’s shift gears. We’re heading into Segment Two, where we tackle your questions on roster depth and the future of the squad. Stick with us.
Nicole: We’re back. James in Chicago asks: 'Is Jamal Thiaré still the guy? He beat Inter Miami late, but is he enough for the rest of the league?' This is the big one. Can Thiaré carry the load?
Kevin: Thiaré is heroic, no doubt. That late win against Inter Miami was massive. But relying on one hero isn’t a sustainable strategy. Against Orlando, they lost 3-2 after Iván Angulo scored in the 89th minute. That shows defensive fragility. Thiaré can score, but he needs support.
Nicole: And speaking of support, @CrewNation22 asks: 'Should we be worried about the goalkeeper situation? Schulte vs. Pantemis... wait, Pantemis is Portland.' Okay, sorry, my mistake. But seriously, is Patrick Schulte the long-term answer?
Kevin: Schulte made three saves against Portland. He’s steady. But consistency is key. In the Open Cup final, he kept them alive. However, if the defense continues to leak chances, even a great keeper will struggle. The issue isn’t just Schulte; it’s the defensive line’s ability to clear lines and handle the press.
Nicole: Tasha from Atlanta wonders: 'What about the forwards? Wessam Abou Ali had three shots against Portland. Is that enough output?' It’s a fair question. Abou Ali is active, but three shots isn’t a lot in a high-stakes game. He needs more service.
Kevin: Exactly. Abou Ali is working hard, but without width and creative distribution from the midfield, he’s isolated. He’s facing five defenders alone sometimes. That’s why the xG (expected goals) might be low. He’s not getting the quality chances needed to finish regularly.
Nicole: One more from @MidfieldMaestro: 'Will the front office actually buy a midfielder, or are they just talking?' Given our previous discussions, do you think they’ll act?
Kevin: They said they would aggressively pursue one. But time is running out. If they don’t make a move soon, the playoff hopes fade completely. Right now, it feels like talk. We need action. Otherwise, we’re looking at another season outside the postseason.
Nicole: It’s frustrating for the fans. You see the potential, like in that Cincinnati win, but then you lose to Orlando and Portland. It’s inconsistent. We’ll see if the front office steps up. Now, for Segment Three, we’re doing a fun hypothetical and a lightning round. Let’s go.
Nicole: First hypothetical: What if Columbus had kept a solid defensive block instead of pushing forward early in the Open Cup final? Could they have forced extra time?
Kevin: Maybe. St. Louis is strong, but if Columbus sits deeper and hits on the counter, they might have exploited the space behind St. Louis’s fullbacks. But that requires discipline. And Columbus hasn’t shown much of that lately.
Nicole: Lightning round! Quick takes. First: Who is the most underrated player on the Crew right now?
Kevin: Rudy Camacho. His passing range is elite, even if it doesn’t show up in the scoresheet. He controls the tempo.
Nicole: Second: Best moment of the season so far?
Kevin: Habroune’s third straight goal. That’s momentum.
Nicole: Third: Worst outcome this week?
Kevin: The penalty shootout loss. It stings.
Nicole: Before we wrap up, I want to say something special. Making this show every single day, bringing you fresh analysis, mailbag answers, and deep dives like this—it takes a village. A small group of supporters helps keep these episodes free and daily. If you love what we do, please consider chipping in via the link in the episode description. Your support literally keeps the podcast running.
Kevin: Thanks for listening. Whether you’re cheering for the Crew or just love the game, we appreciate you.
Nicole: Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen. Share this with a friend who loves MLS. Go Crew!