Merry Crewsmas, Black & Gold supporters. Perhaps Saturday night’s home opener – a 0-0 draw with Chicago Fire FC – wasn’t the present you hoped for, but maybe it was a gift that will keep on giving.
Or, as head coach Henrik Rydström put it, like taking medicine to get you healthy.
“Sometimes you just have to take your medicine and it doesn't taste so good, but you will get healthy by it,” Rydström said. “We took the medicine in those situations.”
The context here was how the Crew absorbed the Fire’s pressure late in the match, but it epitomized the match.
Columbus didn’t win its home opener, but it earned a solid point and the first clean sheet of 2026. Equally as important, the frontline generated one attack after another – but without the reward of a goal.
“We created enough to be in the lead,” Rydström said. “I believe that you need to capitalize on those situations; you need to score when you have that kind of situation. Then we got a little bit tired and then they could control the game without creating anything. That’s the pressing part.
“I have to give the backline [credit] that they did their part when the opponents tried to break through us in the low block really good. I'm not happy, but, sometimes, as I said, you have to take the medicine… We didn't create enough the last 20 minutes, but up to that point, I think it was good enough to win the game.”
The mood was similar inside the locker room, where players were pleased with the clean sheet, but they wanted more.
“Obviously it's my job not to allow a goal but I'd rather win a game than keep a shutout, personally,” goalkeeper Patrick Schulte said. “This team, that's our goal, is to win games. Obviously, shutouts, it’s nice and all, but we'd rather come away with a win.”
Captain Sean Zawadzki, who wore the captain’s armband at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field for the first time in his career, had a similar message.
“Looking at the game, it's always, always frustrating when you don't walk away with three points at home, but looking at the bright side of things, we didn't concede a goal. So, first one of those at home, it's even more special. Now it's how can we turn that into creating even more chances and scoring goals, putting the end product to it, and giving the fans that joy that they get to experience.”
And perhaps that’s the main takeaway from the home opener.
Yes, the points were shared, but this Crew side is in transition and adjusting to a new coach and new tactics. They’re also trying to develop routines off the field.
The two road matches to start the campaign was a first in club history. Add preseason trips, and this is simply a club that’s trying develop some rhythm and consistency. The quality is there – it’s just an unfinished product. Of course, that’s to be expected so early in a season.
“We played three games, we scored four goals,” Zawadzki said. “So, the ability to put the ball in the net is there. Now it's putting together that full performance and have the confidence that it's going to happen. You know, we've done it before, it's there, it's possible, and doing the defensive work to keep them at zero. Now it's getting forward and getting numbers around the ball, numbers in the box and to score.”
The draw with Chicago might’ve lacked a goal, but it was the best defensive showing to date, and one to build upon moving forward.
What’s already at peak performance, however, is the reception and noise from Crew supporters. Both Zawadzki and Schulte had massive smiles when speaking about playing for the fans again. So did Rydström after his first match on the touchline. It was a wonderful Välkommen.
“That support will help us a lot, and it helps us during the game also when we struggle,” the Swede said. “Of course, we want to give them a victory. In the locker room, the boys are really, really disappointed. We want to give something back for that amazing support.”
The Black & Gold return to ScottsMiracle-Gro Field next weekend when the Crew hosts Nashville SC. Claim your spot now.
