Nicole: Malte Amundsen just scored his first career multi-goal game, but Columbus sits at 19th in the league. Is that a fluke or a trend? We’re breaking down exactly where the Crew stand right now.
Kevin: It’s not just about the wins and losses, Nicole. It’s about the gaps exposed in the Open Cup final and how they’re trying to close them late in the season.
Nicole: Welcome to today’s Beatline Podcast Network episode! I’m Nicole, and this is your daily guide to MLS power rankings. Joining me as always is our lead analyst, Kevin.
Kevin: Hey everyone. Good to be back with you all.
Nicole: Here is what we are tackling today. First, we look at where Columbus ranks in its division and why that 19th-place standing matters so much right now. Second, we break down their biggest strengths and those lingering question marks in midfield. And finally, we give you a realistic season outlook and win projection based on recent form.
Kevin: We’ve been talking about these same themes for the last few days, but the data has shifted slightly. Let’s get into it.
Nicole: Let’s start with the big picture. Columbus Crew currently sits at 19th in MLS overall. Their record stands at 11-5-15. That is a tough spot to be in, especially when you consider they were just eliminated from the U.S. Open Cup by St. Louis City SC on penalties.
Kevin: Right. And if you remember our conversation from Tuesday and Wednesday, we discussed their 21st-place standing with a 10-5-15 record. The jump to 11-5-15 shows they are winning games, but the position hasn't improved dramatically because other teams around them are also finding their footing.
Nicole: Exactly. So, where do they rank in their specific division context? They are fighting for that ninth and final playoff spot. Beat Cincinnati FC 2-0 recently helped close that gap, but they are still outside looking in.
Kevin: The issue is consistency. You had Taha Habroune score for the third consecutive game against Cincinnati, which was huge. But then you look at the loss to Orlando City, where Iván Angulo scored in the 89th minute to seal a 3-2 victory for the Knights. Those one-goal margins are killing them in the standings.
Nicole: And let’s not forget the road trip to Portland. They lost 3-2 to the Timbers. Felipe Mora led Portland with three total shots, while Cole Bassett completed 68 accurate passes. For Columbus, Wessam Abou Ali had three shots, but Rudy Camacho controlled the midfield with 74 accurate passes.
Kevin: That possession stat tells the story of their identity. Camacho is doing his job, keeping the ball, but without enough creativity in front of him, those passes don’t always turn into chances. It’s why they sit at 19th. They can control games, but they struggle to finish them when it counts.
Nicole: So, is there any hope for a playoff push? Or are we looking at another missed postseason?
Kevin: That brings us perfectly into our next segment. Because the strength of this team is clear, but the weakness is glaring.
Nicole: Let’s talk strengths first. Malte Amundsen is having a moment. He scored twice against Toronto FC in a 4-1 victory. It was his first career multi-goal game in MLS. That kind of spark off the bench or in the starting XI is vital.
Kevin: Amundsen is definitely a bright spot. But the real strength here is the defensive structure when it clicks. Rudy Camacho’s passing accuracy is elite. In that Portland game, he moved the ball with precision. That stability allows players like Brooks Lennon and Gonzalo Tapia to find space.
Nicole: Tapia added a goal and an assist against Cincinnati. Lennon also chipped in against Toronto. So the attack can work, right?
Kevin: It works in bursts. But the biggest question mark remains the creative midfielder void. We’ve talked about Higuain’s departure for weeks. Without a true playmaker to link Camacho to Amundsen or Tapia, the offense becomes predictable. Teams can sit deep and force Columbus to beat them through individual brilliance rather than structured build-up play.
Nicole: And that showed up in the Open Cup final. St. Louis goalkeeper Roman Bürki was stretchered off after a collision, but that match highlighted how Columbus struggled to break down a organized defense. James Pantemis made only two saves for Portland, meaning Columbus didn’t even test him much.
Kevin: That’s the problem. Low xG generation. Patrick Schulte made three saves for Columbus against Portland, which means Portland created more dangerous chances. The transition game is slow. When they lose the ball, they don’t press effectively to win it back high up the pitch.
Nicole: So, the front office needs to act. We mentioned earlier that you predicted an aggressive pursuit of a creative midfielder. Are we seeing that yet?
Kevin: Not yet. But the need is undeniable. Pairing a new creative piece with Wessam Abou Ali could change everything. Until then, this team is limited.
Nicole: Before we move to our final segment, we want to take a quick moment to talk about how we keep this show running for you. This podcast is completely free, with no ads and no paywall. That freedom is protected by listeners like you who believe in independent sports analysis. If you value getting honest, deep-dive breakdowns every single day without interruption, please consider supporting us. Just head to the link in the episode description to chip in. Your support keeps the network independent and ensures we can keep covering teams like Columbus Crew with the depth they deserve. Thank you for being part of the community.
Nicole: Alright, let’s wrap this up with a realistic season outlook. Based on the 11-5-15 record, where does Columbus go from here?
Kevin: I think we stick to our previous prediction. We said they would finish with approximately 12-13 wins and miss the playoffs entirely. Even with Amundsen’s hot streak, the structural issues in midfield are too hard to fix in such a short window.
Nicole: But wait, they have five wins in their last six games. Does that momentum carry them into the postseason?
Kevin: Unlikely. Winning five of six is great for morale, but the gap to the top teams is too wide. Nashville is still No. 1 in the power rankings, and Inter Miami is climbing. Columbus is stuck in the middle tier. Without that creative midfielder acquisition in the offseason, they won’t bridge that gap.
Nicole: So, 12-13 wins. Miss the playoffs. Focus on the offseason rebuild.
Kevin: Exactly. The talent is there—Abou Ali, Camacho, Tapia—but they lack the X-factor player to elevate them. That’s the key takeaway for the front office.
Nicole: If they can secure that creative midfielder, maybe next year is different. But for 2026, it looks like another year of missing out.
Nicole: That’s it for today’s power rankings breakdown. Columbus Crew sits at 19th, fighting for relevance but lacking the creative spark to make a deep run.
Kevin: A tough reality, but a necessary one. The focus now shifts to the offseason and that crucial midfield acquisition.
Nicole: If you enjoyed this deep dive, please subscribe, rate, and review the show wherever you listen. It helps more fans find us. Share this episode with a fellow Crew supporter!
Kevin: Thanks for listening, everyone.
Nicole: Keep your eyes on the transfer market, Crew fans. Up the Crew!