As the Columbus Crew gear up for a crucial clash against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on May 10, the injury report is a mixed bag of hope and concern. Midfielder André Gomes, a cornerstone of the lineup, is expected to take the pitch after returning to full training, but officially he's listed as questionable alongside defender Malte Amundsen and forward Jamal Thiaré.

Gomes has been sidelined since April 18, when he suffered a calf injury during a 2-1 loss to the New England Revolution. Missing three consecutive games, his potential return is a major boost for a Crew side looking to regain momentum. Thiaré's situation is more complicated: he picked up an apparent knee injury in a dominant 4-1 U.S. Open Cup win over One Knoxville SC on April 29 and subsequently missed the 3-2 loss to Minnesota United on May 2. Adding to the concern, Crew head coach Henrik Rydstrom revealed Thiaré is also battling a persistent cough.

Amundsen's status is perhaps the most puzzling. He played the first half against Minnesota before exiting with what Rydstrom described as a hamstring "sensation" rather than a full-blown injury. His absence forced Yevhen Cheberko into action at the start of the second half, prompting a tactical shift that backfired as the Crew conceded three straight set-piece goals in a gut-wrenching defeat. "It was no injury," Rydstrom clarified. "He felt something in his hamstring, and that also made it a bit tricky... he has been very, very important for our game, so we didn't have a quite natural replacement for him."

During a special May 5 training session for supporters at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, Rydstrom initially suggested Amundsen would sit out against NYCFC but quickly backtracked, emphasizing that all three players are being re-evaluated daily. While Gomes appears ready to go, the Crew will have to navigate without striker Wessam Abou Ali, who is out for the season after undergoing ACL surgery on his knee.

For fans and fantasy managers alike, this is a game of wait-and-see—but with Gomes back in full training, there's reason for optimism in Columbus.