ALABAMA - Following Columbus Crew legend Lucas Zelarayán's move to Saudi Arabia earlier this season, the club's front office had a huge task in front of them: find a fitting replacement. The Uruguayan midfielder had been instrumental in the Crew's win in its last MLS Cup during the 2020 season, so it was immensely important for the club's hierarchy to find a replacement of the same quality. They did so just after two days of announcing the departure, signing former LAFC player Diego Rossi.
After a successful stint at LAFC and two years in Turkish soccer, expectations were high at Columbus before Rossi's arrival. During his time in Los Angeles, he was second only to Carlos Vela in terms of importance for the team and became the youngest player in league history to win the MLS Golden Boot in 2020.
Rossi was brought in to pair up with the club's all-time record signing, Juan Camilo 'Cucho' Hernández, who arrived from English side Watford for a $10 million fee.
"He's met expectations because when you make a historic signing, you're probably at least talking 15-plus goals a year," Tim Bezbatchenko, Columbus Crew's General Manager said in an interview for MLS.com earlier this week. "But then you're looking for other contributions and assists, right? It can't just be about goals. It has to be goals and assists and the space that you create for others, which I think you're seeing now with Diego Rossi is how much space Diego has because Cucho creates that space."
The Uruguayan winger has proven to be productive in his first season with the club, securing 11 influences in 15 games (5 goals, 6 assists) since signing for Columbus in mid-August. Although a different kind of player, Rossi's movement and dynamic style of play have helped the team return to another MLS Cup final.
During a remarkable 4-1 win over Club América in the Leagues Cup earlier this season, Colombian striker 'Cucho' Hernández was overcome by joy and other emotions post-match, as Zelarayán waved to Columbus Crew supporters for one last time.
"We all have huge love for Lucas and his departure was tough for everyone, but we've got to keep going," said Hernández earlier that week. "Ultimately, they pay us to do our job, to win games, to earn trophies. I took responsibility when we didn't have Lucas...his departure meant a lot of players took a step forward and I think we were able to overcome it."
Ever since losing Zelarayán, 'Cucho' has taken it upon himself to become a beacon for the team. He and Rossi have become a lethal duo that has only gotten better as the playoffs have progressed.
The understanding these two have developed has turned them into one of the best duos in Major League Soccer. So far these playoffs, 'Cucho' and Rossi have combined for 6 of the Crew's 13 goals. Between the two, they have had a hand in 11 of those 13 goals.
'Cucho's' importance in the team has looked, at times, irreplaceable. Eleven of his 16 regular season goals came after Zelarayán's move to Saudi Arabia. Columbus Crew coach, Wilfred Nancy, has had nothing but praise for his striker throughout the season.
During an interview earlier this season, Nancy declared his striker has evolved from goalscoring machine to a more complete player. "I have to say he's been really, really good in terms of consistency. That's why, for me, Cucho is the best modern forward in the league," Nancy said. "He's able to score goals, but also able to assist and also is able to help us defend".
'Cucho' and Rossi had yet another great game during the Crew's Eastern Conference Finals, a game that ended in a thrilling manner, with the dynamic duo having a hand in two of the three goals. Rossi sent the game to extra time with a goal in the 86th minute while 'Cucho' assisted Christian Ramírez in the 115th minute to give Columbus the lead over FC Cincinnati and eventually send them to the MLS Cup final.
As Columbus prepares for yet another final, 'Cucho' and Rossi will hope their fantastic seasons can help the team deliver another MLS Cup title to the Columbus faithful. They were included, among three other Columbus Crew players, in this year's combined XI for the final, according to MLS.
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