New Crew Coach Rydstrom Brings 'New Blood' to Lineup

Crew's starting 11 could see changes as Rydstrom integrates new signings

Mar. 13, 2026 at 10:23am

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The Columbus Crew's lineup under new head coach Henrik Rydstrom has so far resembled last season's, but the team has signed several new midfielders who could shake up the starting 11 going forward.

Why it matters

The Crew are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season, and integrating new talent into the lineup could provide a boost as they aim to return to the playoffs under Rydstrom's leadership.

The details

While the Crew's lineup in Rydstrom's first three games has looked similar to last year, the team has brought in new midfielders like Andre Gomes who could earn starting roles and inject fresh energy into the squad.

  • Rydstrom was named the Crew's new head coach in January 2026.
  • The Crew have played three games so far under Rydstrom's leadership.

The players

Henrik Rydstrom

The new head coach of the Columbus Crew, hired in January 2026.

Andre Gomes

A new midfielder signed by the Crew who could earn a starting role under Rydstrom.

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What they’re saying

“We went into this season without, really, a new player,”

— Henrik Rydstrom, Head Coach (The Columbus Dispatch)

What’s next

Rydstrom will continue evaluating his lineup options in the coming weeks as the Crew look to integrate their new signings and find the right combination to turn the team's fortunes around.

The takeaway

Rydstrom's willingness to bring in new talent and shake up the Crew's starting 11 suggests he is committed to finding the right formula to improve the team's performance after a disappointing 2025 season.