If it were up to Diego Rossi, Columbus Crew teammate and captain Darlington Nagbe would play at the club “forever.”
The legendary midfielder has different plans, however, and will retire at the end of the Crew’s 2025 season.
That could come as early as Sunday, when Hell is Real rivals FC Cincinnati visit Lower.com Field in Game 2 of their Round One Best-of-3 series (6:30 pm ET | MLS Season Pass, Apple TV).
Needless to say, Rossi & Co. will do everything in their power to keep that from happening.
“We’re gonna push obviously for our team and for our captain,” the Uruguay international told reporters ahead of this weekend’s must-win match. “He deserves it, so it’s gonna be an extra motivation, I think, for every player.”
Do or die
Motivation and expectations are as high as ever for Columbus, despite their 1-0 loss in Game 1, which leaves them needing a win on Sunday, as well as in a hypothetical Game 3 at Cincy’s TQL Stadium on Nov. 8, to keep their Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs hopes alive.
“I liked the energy of my team,” said head coach Wilfried Nancy, who’s led the club to MLS Cup (2023) and Leagues Cup (2024) titles. “They didn’t put their heads down. Right away, I said, ‘Guys, heads up. Let’s cheer the [traveling] fans, and let’s prepare the second game.’
“Because the fact is we were in the game. And the energy is good, yesterday the practice was good. Today, I have no doubt that also this week is gonna be good. So to be honest, they are ready to play this game that is important. This is a do-or-die game, we know that. But again, my team is good to accept these kind of challenges.”
It’s a mindset exemplified by Nagbe. One of the most accomplished players in league history, the four-time MLS Cup winner would love nothing more than to go out a champion.
“Getting to another MLS Cup would be great, no matter who the opponent or who’s in the way,” said the 35-year-old veteran. “That’s the important thing for me. Making sure that we put ourselves in a position to get to the Cup. I think once you get to the final, anything can happen.”
A legend's last games
For Nagbe, the way his Crew teammates have rallied behind him since his retirement announcement earlier this month fills him with pride and gratitude.
“Them wanting to do something for me is definitely special,” he said. “There’s not enough I can say about those guys, the way they’ve approached this season, especially the last couple of games as I’ve let them know my decision. But yeah, it’s great.
“Obviously, they want to do it for themselves and for the club, but then [to] want to do it for me as well is special.”
Ironically, Nagbe isn’t feeling at all overwhelmed by his impending goodbye after 15 illustrious MLS seasons. At least not yet.
“It’s weird for me. It doesn’t feel like my last season, I don’t know why,” Nagbe said. “I don’t know, I’ve been doing it a long time. It doesn’t feel like it’s ending.”
