Interim Coach Leads Crew to Back-to-Back Wins

The Columbus Crew concluded their first week under interim coach Laurent Courtois with a decisive 2-0 victory over Atlanta United on May 24. This win followed a 1-0 triumph in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals just four days prior. Courtois expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, highlighting their ability to execute and work together.

Midfielder Sekou Bangoura opened the scoring in transition in the 24th minute, marking his first goal since joining the Crew in January. Forward Diego Rossi extended the lead to 2-0 with his team-leading sixth goal of the season just before halftime. The team's defense proved formidable, securing their fifth clean sheet of 2026 and third win when leading at halftime.

The Crew's defensive solidity has been notable under Courtois, reverting to a three-defender formation similar to the 2023-2025 era. This has resulted in two consecutive shutouts and a combined two shots on goal faced by goalkeepers Nicholas Hagen and Patrick Schulte. Midfielder Mo Farsi made a significant impact in his longest game of the season, assisting both goals after returning from a nine-month injury layoff.

The team will now enter an eight-week FIFA World Cup break. Players not participating in the World Cup will train for two weeks before receiving three weeks off. The Crew currently sits 10th in the Eastern Conference with 16 points and will resume play on July 22 against New York City FC.