Heading into the primary leg of the Champions Cup quarterfinals, a big query is looming over the Columbus Crew and head coach Wilfried Nancy. Will star striker Juan “Cucho” Hernandez characteristic on this vital matchup? Cucho was not noted of the squad for the Crew’s 2-2 draw towards Nashville SC on Saturday. When requested about Hernandez’s absence, Nancy stated that it was as a consequence of, “staff coverage.”

Reporters appeared for extra perception however Nancy would not present it.

“We’ll see what we’ll do,” Nancy said following the draw Saturday about Hernandez’s availability for Concacaf Champions League.

The absence follows Cucho seeming to disagree together with his substitution from the Crew’s match towards Charlotte FC and displaying that frustration whereas talking with coaches on the sideline as Nancy was absent as a consequence of an sickness. The scenario was downplayed following that match, however leaving him out of the squad might’ve been Nancy’s method of coping with it.

With 4 objectives and one help in all competitions to kick off the season following scoring 21 objectives and aiding eight final season, his availability will make or break the Crew within the match.

Because of thunderstorms within the space, kickoff will not occur till no less than 8:45 p.m. ET regardless of being scheduled for 7 p.m. initially.

This is our storylines, how one can watch the match and extra:

How one can watch and odds

• Date: Tuesday, April 2 | Time: 8:45 p.m. ET
• Location: Decrease.com Discipline — Columbus, Ohio
• TV: FS1  | Dwell stream: Fubo (Attempt at no cost)
• Odds: Columbus Crew +100; Draw +210; Tigres +230

Storylines

Columbus Crew: Cucho could also be looming over this match, however he is not the one participant to observe for the Crew as Aidan Morris and Diego Rossi will play giant roles within the conflict. There could be no higher option to put the weekend behind them than by scoring a couple of objectives to place the staff into good standing forward of going to Mexico for leg two.

Tigres UNAL: When excited about Mr. Champions League, names like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo come to thoughts however in Concacaf, somebody rising the ranks in that dialogue is Anre-Pierre Gignac. The Tigres ahead has had a knack for scoring in large moments and has 18 Champions Cup objectives to his identify which is nice for the fourth most within the competitors’s historical past. Together with Hernandez, Gignac is somebody who can have a say on this tie.

Prediction

The Crew will get out to a quick begin at house behind Cucho’s return to play. Whereas they’re going to alow a pesky away objective, profitable is extra necessary. Decide: Columbus Crew 2, Tigres 1