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'It was amazing': Crew's Rudy Camacho describes return after missing entire regular season
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- 'It was amazing': Crew's Rudy Camacho describes return after missing entire regular season
Crew defender Steven Moreira was surprised when he exited Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against FC Cincinnati and realized Rudy Camacho 's No. 4 was on the substitution board.
By the 81st minute, when Camacho replaced Moreira, the Crew had already secured a 4-0 victory to force a Game 3. Still, the crowd at Lower.com Field erupted as if the Crew had recorded a fifth goal.
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Camacho was, after all, stepping onto the field for the first time in 2025.
"It was amazing," he said. "It was a long year. So, it was good to feel the fans, the atmosphere, the pitch .... everything."
Camacho spent the entire regular season recovering from an abductor injury he suffered during a preseason training session.
Crew defender Rudy Camacho entered Game 2 of Columbus' first-round playoff series against FC Cincinnati in the 81st minute.
Despite attempts to return throughout the early months of the season, Camacho's pain persisted. In July, the Crew medical staff determined that Camacho needed to undergo a sports hernia surgery , pushing his recovery timeline back multiple months.
"I had to be strong," Camacho said. "I had no choice but to keep going and believe it would be fixed by the end of the season. It was my goal."
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On Oct. 18, the final day of the regular season , Camacho was included on the Crew's gameday lineup for the first time in 38 games.
Crew defender Rudy Camacho (4) hugs midfielder Darlington Nagbe (6) following Columbus' 4-0 win over FC Cincinnati on Nov. 2.
Camacho saw no playing time during the New York Red Bulls matchup and Game 1 of the Hell is Real playoff series , but the 34-year-old remained ready for Game 2.
"Everybody was happy," coach Wilfried Nancy said. "You could see the reactions of the fans. This is the first time I subbed Steven, and he was smiling. Usually, he doesn't smile because he wants to play."
Moreira has played alongside Camacho since 2023 and watched his teammate struggle until his comeback was finally complete.
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"That was a really long year for him," Moreira said. "That was not easy. ... So, I was very happy for him, and you could see it on my face."
More: Columbus Crew defeat FC Cincinnati in Game 2 of Hell is Real playoff series
Will Rudy Camacho see more playing time during 2025 MLS Cup playoffs?
Camacho joined the Crew during the 2023 MLS summer transfer window from CF Montreal , where Nancy was his coach for two seasons.
Upon reuniting with his former coach, Camacho made a quick impact on the backline and helped the Crew win the 2023 MLS Cup title. Camacho's success continued in 2024, and he was named an MLS all-star for the first time in his career.
Columbus Crew defender Rudy Camacho (4) passes during the second game of the first round MLS Cup Playoffs match against FC Cincinnati at Lower.com Field in Columbus on Nov. 2, 2025. The Crew won 4-0.
While Camacho has been a valuable piece for the Crew in the past, he recognizes that his role this postseason could be limited.
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"This is the coach's decision," Camacho said. "I'm just living day-by-day, trying to feel better on the pitch. I'm feeling very good, and the coach has a choice to make as the season finishes. And honestly, I don't think about it, but if I can play more, I will take it, for sure."
The Crew will take on Cincinnati in a winner-take-all Game 3 on Nov. 8 in Cincinnati. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Rudy Camacho returns for Columbus Crew after missing MLS regular season
