Cucho Hernandez impact: Who steps up for Columbus Crew in his unexplained absence?
Even without the platinum hair he is currently sporting, Crew striker Cucho Hernandez's absence on the field would be noticeable.
Hernandez has been left off the past two game-day rosters for reasons unknown beyond its connection to what the team calls "team policy."
The lack of information from Crew coach Wilfried Nancy and the club in general has caused speculation and confusion, considering one of the matches Hernandez missed was the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Tigres on Tuesday.
Prior to this situation, there has been nothing but praise for Hernandez coming from Nancy.
"The persistence and the competitive spirit has given him the possibility to score again and also to make assists or the pass before the assist," Nancy said following the New York Red Bulls match on March 16. "He deserved the call with the (Colombian) national team, but he didn't have the call."
Hernandez scored the four of the Crew's nine goals in the first six matches of the season. Since before the season began, the 25-year-old has been considered one of the front-runners for the MLS Golden Boot, given to the league's regular-season scoring leader.
Without Hernandez, there have been moments such as in the Nashville SC match on Saturday and the Tigres match when passes that usually connect with the foot of the striker were mistimed.
The lack Hernandez's scoring ability was particularly recognizable in the 1-1 draw with Tigres.
"He can play as a forward, he can play as a winger, he can play also as a No. 10," Nancy said earlier this season. "This is the evolution for him. ... Again, he's getting better, and he knows that he has certain things that he has to improve. That's why he's good because he knows that, and he wants to do more."
Who steps up in Cucho Hernandez' absence?
Along with Hernandez's absence, the Crew front line is dealing with injuries. In the Charlotte FC match, forward Christian Ramirez suffered a thigh injury and there is no timeline currently for his return. Prior to Ramirez's injury, forward Alex Matan was also sidelined with a thigh injury following the CONCACAF Champions Cup first leg match against the Houston Dynamo.
These circumstances have opened the door for Marino Hinestroza in the past two matches. Nancy has utilized the 21-year-old on the front line in his seven appearances for the club.
"This is the rewards of what he's been doing since the beginning of the year," Nancy said following the Tigres match. "Step by step, we're going to give him more tools to be able to express himself a little bit more. It's been a good game for him, but I'm going to give him more challenges."
In a 2-2 draw at Nashville, Hinestroza entered the game at halftime and scored his first goal with the Crew. Starting against Tigres, he recorded the most shot attempts for the team with five, one on target.
Hinestroza's past two performances showed promise, but also had moments when his inexperience playing with the club was evident. There were multiple miscues in the timing of passes with teammates Diego Rossi and Jacen Russell-Rowe.
Already expected to be a top scoring threat for the Crew alongside Hernandez, Rossi is arguably the forward Columbus is most in need of stepping up on the front line.
Rossi was acquired by Columbus in the middle of last season and was able to make a quick impact. He's had a slower start this year. Against Tigres, Rossi was able to connect his first goal of the season.
"This is the cycle of a forward," Nancy said. "Sometimes he has moments that he should score, but sometimes he has to believe in himself. We are all behind him, we are all behind, all the players."
Following the match, Rossi claimed there is "no pressure" added to him with the absence of Hernandez.
As a veteran leader and captain, Darlington Nagbe recognizes that Hernandez missing from the lineup will force the whole team to step up.
"I think it's just naturally missing the player of that caliber," Nagbe said. "I think you raise your game a little bit. Jacen's (Russell-Rowe) been having a great season in my opinion, he's always clean and dangerous around the box. ... So, it's good to see guys contributing."
Get more Columbus Crew content by listening to our podcasts
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Cucho Hernandez missing from Columbus Crew action is making an impact
