Cucho Hernandez leads Columbus Crew offensive surge
Cucho Hernandez drives the Columbus Crew offense with 19 goals this season, helping the team secure a 3-1 win over LAFC. New MLS NEXT Pro rules regarding off-field treatment and timed substitutions aim to reduce injury stoppages and prevent time-wasting.
Hernandez drives Crew success
Cucho Hernandez scored 52 goals for the Columbus Crew and provided two goals and an assist to secure a 3-1 win over LAFC in the Leagues Cup final. This performance added to his 19 goals in 29 appearances this season, while the Crew offense led the league with 67 goals in 34 games. Wilfried Nancy directs a possession-heavy style where the Crew roster functions through high intensity. Hernandez maintains a constant presence in the attacking third. He scored a header in the 45th minute against LAFC and struck a curling shot in stoppage time at the 92nd minute before assisting Jacen Russell-Rowe two minutes later. This offensive production drove the team to its second trophy in nine months. The Crew lost only two matches at home during the Nancy era. Hernandez also recorded 16 goals and 11 assists in the 2023 regular season, but he also scored 13 goals in the 2024 regular season. He scored four goals in the last three games of the Leagues Cup run. He scored the first goal in the MLS Cup against LAFC and earned the MVP title, and he also scored in the playoffs against Atlanta United and Orlando City.
Rules change match tempo
MLS NEXT Pro experimentation influenced the rules IFAB adopted for the 2026 World Cup. The off-field treatment rule limits the time medical staff spend on the pitch, while the timed substitution rule forces players to leave the field quickly.
| Rule Type | Time Limit | Consequence of Violation |
|---|---|---|
| Off-field treatment | 15 seconds | 2-minute minimum removal |
| Timed substitution | 10 seconds | 60-second holding period |
Off-field treatment reduced injury stoppages by 72% compared to previous averages, while timed substitution compliance reached 99% in 2025 as the rules aim to prevent teams from wasting time. The off-field treatment rule enforces a 15-second time limit where a player with a suspected injury must return to play if able, otherwise the referee stops play and allows for medical assessment. Exceptions include head injuries and goalkeeper injuries. In 2025, only 12 violations occurred across over 4,000 substitutions, and if a team violates the 10-second window for a substitution, the incoming player waits through a 60-second holding period. The timed substitution rule excludes goalkeeper substitutions. You already know the Crew offense produces results. However, the team conceded many goals throughout the season. Nancy admitted the players need to defend better, especially since the team dropped 22 points from leading positions and conceded 22 goals against Orlando in one match.
Rossi and Eastern Conference dynamics
Diego Rossi joined Monterrey in 2026 after his stints with Columbus and LAFC. He won the 2020 MLS Golden Boot at age 22. He scored 14 goals in 19 matches during his 2020 season with LAFC. LAFC lost the 2023 MLS Cup and the 2024 Leagues Cup to the Crew. Rossi earned his Golden Boot by scoring 14 goals in 19 matches and became the youngest player to lead the league in goals scored. His 2020 season at LAFC included 14 goals and four assists, and he also won the MLS Best XI that year. Rossi recorded 21 goals in 48 games in 2024. He scored 12 goals in the 2018 season for LAFC and added 16 goals and seven assists in 2019, while in 2023, he recorded three goals and three assists in ten games for Columbus. He scored his first goal for the Crew against Toronto FC. Rossi played 90 minutes for LAFC during their first ever MLS Cup Playoff win against the LA Galaxy and scored a brace against the Colorado Rapids in 2020.
The Crew holds the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference and faces Atlanta United in a best-of-three series starting November 1. Game 1 occurs at the new Crew stadium, while Game 2 takes place in Atlanta on November 7 and Game 3, if needed, occurs in Columbus on November 12. The Philadelphia Union also remains a factor in the conference. Will the Crew maintain this momentum through the playoffs?
