Columbus Crew: 2025 MLS odds, first-choice starting XI, key matches

After some big offseason moves, the Columbus Crew enter the 2025 MLS season with less star power, but that could make the 2023 MLS Cup winners a more well-rounded team.

Juan 'Cucho' Hernandez was transferred to Spain's Real Betis for $16 million, and Christian Ramirez was sent to the LA Galaxy for cash. Cucho and Ramirez were the club's leading and third-leading scorers with 19 and eight goals, respectively.

Clearly, manager Wilfried Nancy believes in the younger players moving up the ranks in attack. While proven star Diego Rossi will be the main threat, the likes of Jacen Russell-Rowe and Taha Habroune will have to step up in a big way unless a new signing with a goalscoring pedigree joins the club soon.

Still, the Crew has kept its defense and midfield intact through the offseason, and only three clubs conceded fewer goals than Columbus did in 2024 (40).

Columbus Crew 2025 MLS Odds

MLS Cup Winner	+1000
To Reach MLS Cup Final	+500
Eastern Conference League Winner (Regular Season)	+600

Top Goalscorer Odds – Columbus Crew Players

Diego Rossi	+12500
Jacen Russell-Rowe	+15000

Columbus Crew First-Choice Predicted XI

3-4-2-1: Patrick Schulte; Steven Moreira, Rudy Camacho, Malte Amundsen; Mohamed Farsi, Sean Zwadzki, Darlington Nagbe, Max Arfsten; Diego Rossi, Dylan Chambost; Jacen Russell-Rowe

Columbus Crew Key MLS Matches

• vs. Chicago Fire – Saturday, Feb. 22
• at San Diego FC – Saturday, March 15
• vs. New York City FC – Saturday, March 22
• vs. Inter Miami – Saturday, April 19
• vs. Charlotte FC – Saturday, May 3
• at Philadelphia Union – Saturday, May 10
• vs. FC Cincinnati – Saturday, May 17
• at Inter Miami – Saturday, May 31
• vs. Atlanta United – Wednesday, June 25
• vs. Philadelphia Union – Sunday, June 29
• at FC Cincinnati – Saturday, July 12
• at New York Red Bulls – Saturday, August 30
• vs. New York Red Bulls – Saturday, Oct. 18

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Odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.