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What Columbus Crew's roster looks like without Cucho Hernández, Christian Ramirez
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- What Columbus Crew's roster looks like without Cucho Hernández, Christian Ramirez
In the span of a week, the Crew lost two players who contributed to more than half of their regular-season offense with 27 combined goals and 20 combined assists.
Striker Cucho Hernandez , the first Crew player to record consecutive seasons with 10 or more goals and 10 or more assists, was transferred to Spain's La Liga on Feb 3.
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Two days later, forward Christian Ramirez was traded to Los Angeles Galaxy.
According to Crew general manager Issa Tall , both players had expressed interest in joining their new teams once Columbus received offers, with Ramirez originally wanting to play in Colombia .
More on Cucho Hernandez transfer: 'A move he wanted to make': Crew GM Issa Tall shares details on Cucho Hernandez transfer
Tall had multiple teams from Colombia interested in Ramirez.
"It's funny how that thing happened, that it's done two days apart, but it's something we have discussed for months," Tall said. "So, it could have happened before Cucho, could have happened after Cucho. With the evolution of the way Wilfried (Nancy) wants to play, and considering Christian's style ... it was just going to happen."
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The departures left glaring holes on the Crew's front line. Additionally, Tall said at the beginning of the offseason that the Crew needed a bigger player at center back as well as another option at center midfield.
Despite the roster gaps, Columbus only added only one player this offseason, Lassi Lappalainen.
Lappalainen is a wingback, but Nancy feels he can appear on the front line based on their time together in CF Montreal.
With the season opener on Feb. 22 against Chicago Fire , Nancy has maintained a confidence about adding players, whether it be before the winter transfer window closes on April 23 or during the summer window.
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"We have players already that we are thinking about," Nancy said. "This is the way we do things. And this is the same mindset as the window in August. Doesn't change. So, this is still open. We are working on that."
Here is where the Crew's roster stands:
Columbus Crew forwards
Current forwards: Max Arfsten , Taha Habroune , Diego Rossi, Jacen Russell-Rowe
The loss of Hernandez and Ramirez has left the Crew's attacking core slim.
Crew forward Diego Rossi celebrates after scoring a goal against Toronto on July 6.
Two of the Crew's four listed forwards are likely going to appear at midfield in Nancy's system.
Max Arfsten spent all last season featured at left wingback, and midfielder Darlington Nagbe confirmed Taha Habroune has been practicing at center midfield this preseason.
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However, Nancy has switched players out of positions he had them play on multiple occasions.
There are also listed midfielders Nancy has played on the front line, specifically Aziel Jackson and Lappalainen.
More: Columbus Crew's Aziel Jackson brings passion for soccer and art
Since joining the Crew in July, Jackson has spent a majority of his time as a forward, recording two goals in nine regular-season games.
Columbus Crew midfielders
Current midfielders: Dylan Chambost , Aziel Jackson , Derrick Jones, Lassi Lappalainen, Cole Mrowka, Darlington Nagbe, Sean Zawadzki
While listed at other positions, Columbus' main wingbacks last season on the second line in the 3-4-3-1 formation were Arfsten, Mo Farsi and DeJuan Jones .
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At center midfield with Nagbe, there have been multiple players who have slotted in since the departure of Aidan Morris in June, including Dylan Chambost.
"It's a position I like to play," Chambost said. "But the coach knows I can play higher on the pitch, so it's a good thing for the team if I can play different positions."
Crew midfielder Dylan Chambost dribbles against New England on Oct. 12.
Columbus Crew defenders
Current defenders: Malte Amundsen , Rudy Camacho , Yevhen Cheberko , Mo Farsi, Andres Herrera, DeJuan Jones, Steven Moreira
In the MLS playoffs, the Crew were without center back Malte Amundsen due to a groin injury . Columbus was eliminated the first round by the New York Red Bulls in two games.
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Amundsen is back practicing and is optimistic he'll be able to return for the season opener.
Alongside Amundsen, the Crew relied on Rudy Camacho, Yevhen Cheberko, Andres Herrera and Steven Moreira at center back.
Herrera is with the Crew on loan from Argentina's River Plate until June. There has been no confirmation the Crew will extend Herrera's time with the club.
Columbus Crew goalkeepers
Current goalkeepers: Evan Bush, Nicholas Hagen , Stanislav Lapkes, Abraham Romero, Patrick Schulte
Columbus is one of the rare teams with more players listed at goalkeeper than forward.
"It can be a lot at times (with five goalkeepers), but at the same time, it allows all of us to be held to that high standard," goalkeeper Patrick Schulte said. "If one guy's making save after save after save, it's on the other four to kind of try and raise that level to match."
Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte motions during a game against Portland on April 20.
Only four goalkeepers are expected to be healthy to start the season. Nicholas Hagen has a broken finger on his right hand, according to Nancy, with no timeline on his return.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew roster without Cucho Hernández, Christian Ramirez
