MLS
What’s happening with the Columbus Crew’s Cucho Hernández?
The forward has been left out of the Crew’s last two games. Head coach, Wilfried Nancy explained that his absence was due to “team policies.”
From picking the first Golden Boot award with the Columbus Crew and finishing as the second top scorer in last season’s MLS, to being excluded from the first team roster, it’s difficult to understand what is happening with Juan Camilo Hernández. For the second consecutive game, the Colombian forward was omitted from the roster and the blunt explanations from coach Wilfried Nancy only add to the mystery.
On Saturday, Cucho played no part in the 2-2 draw against Nashville SC. When asked about the situation, Nancy simply said that the striker had been left out of the squad due to “team policy.” From that moment on, expectation as to whether Hernández would be included in the squad for Tuesday’s CONCACAF Champions Cup tie against Tigres increased by the day.
Cucho frozen out again
In the end, the Colombian was excluded again. After the 1-1 draw in the quarter final first leg against the Mexicans, the Crew coach refused to give any further updates on his striker.
“We just played a match and we are talking about Cucho, there is no answer to that… We don’t play tennis, we play soccer. Soccer, there are 11 players on the field. Be patient, I know this is your job, next question please,” was his curt reply when asked about Cucho’s omission.
Now it’s two games running in which Cucho Hernández has been overlooked. For now, there is no official statement from the player - nor any further explanations from the club about the situation.
So far in 2024, Cucho has played a total of seven games between MLS and Concachampions - six of them in the starting XI. He has scored four goals and provided one assist making him the team’s top scorer. The Columbus Crew’s next game is scheduled for this Saturday 6 April against DC United at home. It is still not known whether the striker will return or not...