Unfortunately, in the eyes of the world, the MLS is not the ‘big leagues’ in soccer. Columbus Crew legend Juan Camilo “Cucho” Hernandez knew that when he agreed to join the team in July, 2022.
As a city, however, we got to admire his skills & spirit up close for two and a half years.
The opportunity and timing was apparently right for Hernandez to move on to one of the top two leagues in all of soccer – La Liga – and to a team Real Betis that plays in a 60,000 seat stadium in Seville, Andalusia, Spain.
He leaves Columbus a legend.
In June, 2022 Columbus Crew ownership decided to make the unprecedented move and pay $10 million in transfer fees to Watford FC (England) to sign him to a 4-year deal with an option for 2026. Cucho certainly proved to be well worth the money.
In his first full season, Columbus marched into the MLS Cup title game. It was December 9, 2023 at Lower.com Field in Columbus. The Crew vs LAFC. It was an early arriving sellout crowd. I spent my $550 for a ticket to watch ‘Glory to Columbus.’ The Sequel.
Cucho scored on a tight curling penalty kick that tucked perfectly inside the post in the 33rd minute. Even if the goalie had dove right he would not have stopped this kick. The Crew beat LAFC 2-1 to win their third MLS Cup. Cucho was named MLS Cup MVP.
The MLS (Major League Soccer) played its first season in 1996 with Columbus being one of ten founding franchises. Today there are thirty teams – 27 in the U.S. and three in Canada.
In 2024 during the midsummer Olympic break, the 47-team League’s Cup tournament began and would run the entire month of August. This tournament has grown from just eight teams in 2019 and includes teams from the MLS (the main soccer league in the U.S.) and Liga MX (the main soccer league in Mexico).
The Crew would be without star goalie Patrick Schulte who was chosen to play on the 18-member U.S. national Olympic team in Paris. Goal duties switched to 28-yr-old Guatemalan Nicholas Hagen.
After a tournament opening 4-0 romp over Sporting KC, the Crew posted a thrilling come-from-behind 3-2 win over Inter Miami (without Lionel Messi), then a shootout win over NYC before besting Philadelphia 3-1 to earn a spot in the finals against – who else – LAFC.
Cucho would soon have a hand in every goal. First, there was a header from a corner kick that tied the game right before half. Then, with the game still tied in the 92nd minute, Cucho curls a long kick from the left wing toward 22-yr-old teammate Jacen Russell-Rowe standing in front of the net. The goalie freezes thinking it’s a pass. Russell-Rowe is the decoy. The ball dips inside the post untouched. Game winner!
Two minutes later – for good measure – Cucho on a breakaway gives it up to Russell-Rowe just inside the box and he promptly blasts it into the back of net.
The Crew would beat LAFC 3-1 and win the League’s Cup championship – their second cup in nine months. Given the quality of the competition in this League’s Cup tournament, it felt bigger than an MLS Cup title. Cucho was named League’s Cup MVP.
Even Cucho’s debut is that of legends. It was July 9, 2022, in Chicago. Cucho had just flown in from England the day before. He was officially a Columbus Crew. Coach Caleb Porter brings him off the bench in the second half. He proceeds to score the winning goal in the 83rd minute.
His presence was missed when he was not there. In a match late in 2024, Coach Nancy rested Cucho in the first half of an important game at home against Orlando. At the start of the second half, with the Crew up 1-0, out rolled Cucho.
The two teams stood 3-4 in the Eastern Conference standings and were jockeying for playoff positions. In the 71st minute a great pass to an attacking Cucho made it 3-0. The game, however, was not over. Orlando would score twice quickly and get the score to 3-2 at the 78th minute.
A couple of minutes later Cucho surged toward the goalie again and then at the last minute passed it off to AZ (Aziel Jackson) for the clinching goal. Crew wins 4-3. Both teams would end up making the post season playoffs.
Cucho’s professional soccer career began at the age of 15 in his hometown of Pereira, Columbia. He was named team captain at just 17 years old.
Cucho leaves Columbus as its fifth leading goal scorer with 58 after only playing in 92 matches across all competitions. He also finished in the top five twice for the MLS’ Golden Boot.
Spain is a great opportunity for Cucho who is in the prime of his career – he just turned 26 in April. Agreeing to release him – despite having two seasons left on his contract – is honoring a promise current Crew GM Issa Tall made when they signed him.
The MLS still is not given respect worldwide. Cucho experienced that firsthand with three call ups to his native Columbian national team and little playing time to show for it. Playing in Spain may give him a better look when it comes to playing for his home country in next year’s World Cup.
“It has been three unforgettable years,” Cucho shared in a social media video. “Thank you to my teammates, the coaching staff and the fans. I will never forget your love and support. I will always carry you with me. Farewell for now.”
Thank you Cucho for your fire, your talent, your heart, your leadership and of course your great smile! All the best to you from a very appreciative city.
Sources: Mlssoccer.com February, 2025; Columbus Dispatch ‘A move he wanted to make’ February 4, 2025; abc6onyourside.com ‘Crew faithful heartbroken to see Cucho Hernandez leave Columbus’ February, 2025; live at Lower.com Field; Featured picture courtesy the Columbus Dispatch; Picture2: www.columbuscrew.com.