How the first leg Columbus Crew training camp compared to last season for Wilfried Nancy
Last year, when coach Wilfried Nancy embarked on the Crew's first leg of training camp, he was headed down to Port St. Lucie, Florida, with a new team that was just beginning to learn his system.
So the almost two weeks spent in that exact same stage of the preseason this time around was incomparable for Columbus' second-year coach.
"We can see the difference because the team was organized, the structure was there, the desire to play for the teammates was there also," Nancy said. "The week or so has been really interesting because we worked on a few concepts and obviously they know already the concepts. So, now we can go into more details regarding what we want to do."
Wrapping up the first leg of training camp on Friday, Nancy was satisfied to see that his players were fit and in good spirits as they returned to the field together for the first time in a little over a month. Coming in as the reigning MLS Cup champions, it was still important to get back to the basics.
For defender Yevhen Cheberko, whom the Crew acquired midway through last season, this time is of the upmost value, as there was no preseason to get him adjusted Columbus' style of play.
"For soccer players, it's like fundamental," Cheberko said. "From this you can move on. So, last season I didn’t have that and it’s just also the first time in this new country was not easy for me and now I feel okay with everything that happens now. I feel like we're on the same page with all players."
The Crew have brought back a majority of the players who saw playing time in the MLS playoffs. Besides Julian Gressel, who entered the free-agent market at the conclusion of the 2023 season, Kevin Molino is the only player no longer with the team, as he recently mutually agreed to terminate his contract.
The groundwork that Nancy and the front office laid last season, picking up players who ended up being big pieces in the postseason run, means acquiring new talent is not among the club's top concerns.
"Yes, we can bring more players, but we are not in a rush for that," Nancy said. "I know that the players who came last year or the players who haven't played a lot, example Max (Arfsten). ... They understand exactly what we want to do, and they feel free to play the way we want but also to play the way they want.”
Nancy has also expressed excitement about some of the Crew 2 players joining training camp, including goalie Stanislav Lapkes. It gives the young players and early chance to learn the club's system in the event they are called up for matches, he said.
Will Sands update
Following a strong start to the 2023 season, wingback Will Sands tore an ACL on April 22 and was sidelined for the remainder of the year.
Sands arrived on the first day of preseason on Jan. 22, and Nancy wanted to give him a few days before getting him back to full speed.
"I think there's a big difference between training and games," Sands said. "So, we've yet to play a preseason game and I think we're kind of going to ease into that a bit. But in terms of training, I feel almost full."
There has been no confirmation on whether he will be cleared for game action by the start of the regular season on Feb. 24, nor has the club clarified what his role will be when he returns, but the 23-year-old feels ready to be back on the field.
"It's always going to be a bit difficult because it's a high level and I haven't played at the speed of play in I think it's nine months now," Sands said. "But I felt pretty comfortable getting back in the swing of things.”
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Wilfried Nancy's thought on leg one of Columbus Crew training camp
