The Columbus Crew has acquired Malte Amundsen, a defender from New York City FC, in a trade. Amundsen, an experienced MLS starter, was signed by NYCFC in 2020 but has struggled to get regular playing time under new coach Nick Cushing this season. The Crew, on the other hand, has been in need of a fullback to fill a hole in their roster. The acquisition of Amundsen is expected to benefit both parties, as he can bring his defensive skills and attacking prowess to the team, while the Crew can offer him a path back to regular playing time.

Background

The Columbus Crew has been dealing with injury problems this season, with several players missing games due to various issues. One of the areas where they have struggled is at the fullback position, where injuries have forced head coach Caleb Porter to shuffle his lineup frequently. The addition of Amundsen is expected to provide stability to the position and give Porter more options in his starting lineup.

Amundsen’s skills

Amundsen is known for his defensive skills and likes to get stuck into tackles. He is a strong 1v1 defender who can neutralize opposing attackers with ease. Additionally, he has a high work rate and is willing to give everything he has for the full 90 minutes. In modern soccer, fullbacks must also be able to attack, and Amundsen is no slouch in this department. He likes to get forward and provide service into the box, which will add another dimension to the Crew’s attack.

Nancy’s reasoning for Medranda’s usage

Head coach Caleb Porter has been using Yaw Yeboah as his starting right-wing back for most of the season, but he has also given minutes to Jimmy Medranda. However, Nancy moved Yeboah to the right side and brought Medranda into the game in the 91st minute in a recent match. Nancy’s reasoning for this move was that Medranda still isn’t up to playing a full game with the demands that the Crew place on their wingbacks. He wanted an offensive player in that position who could repeat the action at that intensity, which he felt Yeboah could do better than Medranda at the moment.

Conclusion

The addition of Malte Amundsen to the Columbus Crew’s roster is a significant move that is expected to improve the team’s performance in both attack and defense. Amundsen’s defensive skills and attacking prowess make him an ideal fit for the Crew’s system, and his work rate and willingness to give everything for the team will endear him to the fans. Head coach Caleb Porter now has more options at the fullback position, which will allow him to rotate his squad and keep players fresh throughout the season. With Amundsen on board, the Columbus Crew’s chances of making the playoffs this season just got a little bit better.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who is Jimmy Medranda?

  Jimmy Medranda is a professional soccer player who currently plays as a wingback for the Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer (MLS). He previously played for Sporting Kansas City and Nashville SC.

• Who is Malte Amundsen?

  Malte Amundsen is a professional soccer player who currently plays as a fullback for the Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer (MLS). He previously played for New York City FC in MLS and Helsingborgs IF in Sweden.

• Who is Caleb Porter?

  Caleb Porter is a professional soccer coach who is currently the head coach of the Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer (MLS). He previously coached the Portland Timbers in MLS and the University of Akron men’s soccer team.

• What is Major League Soccer (MLS)?

  Major League Soccer (MLS) is a professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It was founded in 1993 and currently consists of 27 teams, with plans to expand to 30 teams in the coming years. The league is sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA).