Crew coach Wilfried Nancy has never shied away from mixing up the starting 11.

“My decision could be, regarding the chemistry, regarding the interactions between few players,” Nancy said. “But after that, I can have a decision also about the profile, reading the profile. … So, it depends. There was a lot of things that I’m going to have to see and adjust.”

On Saturday in Columbus’ season opener against Atlanta United, the second-year coach opted to start forward Jacen Russell-Rowe over Alex Matan and Christian Ramirez.

Though Matan, who started every playoff game last season, had just returned to full training on the Monday before the match after he “felt something in his quad,” Nancy stated that the decision to start the 21-year-old wasn’t the injury. Rather, it was based on that day’s matchup. Against Atlanta, Nancy thought, Russell-Rowe could succeed.

In his 75 minutes of play, Russell-Rowe took three shot attempts, two missing far left. The lone score of Columbus’ 1-0 victory came off the boot of striker Cucho Hernandez. Despite a stat line showing no goals, Russell-Rowe remains confident.

“It comes from within,” Russell-Rowe said. “I’m a striker and I can’t be worried about scoring my chances. It’s hard to explain it, but I know I’m going to score my chances, and I have to think that way. I can’t think ‘what if I miss?’ or ‘what if the next one doesn’t go in?’ I just have to focus on when I get my next chance, I’m going to score.”

Russell-Rowe felt the start was a reward for a strong training camp performance. After his first full season with the first team in which he scored four goals across 21 regular-season games that included four starts, the forward has been continuing to integrate into the main group during the preseason.

“Coming in confident and then building better relationships with the other forwards, other players,” Russell-Rowe said. “People I didn’t really have a strong relationship with, coming into this season, and I think that helped me a lot, just feel comfortable on the field.”

Before the start of the season, Nancy stated that there are a number of players with different playing styles who can fill in at left forward. In addition to Russell-Rowe, Matan and Ramirez, there’s Columbus newcomer Marino Hinestroza.

Signed in the offseason from Club de Futbol Pachuca of Liga MX, the 21-year-old Hinestroza brings an ability to handle the ball and go one-on-one with the defense. He’s a greater attacking threat than the other options at the position.

Hinestroza and Russell-Rowe are younger talents who can capitalize on the fact that Columbus will have a heavy schedule this season. Matan and Ramirez bring experience and proven success with the club. Ramirez scored two game-winning goals in the postseason.

“The biggest message that I think I keep playing in my mind is there’s so many times in our career where we want more games and more opportunities, so that everybody can get involved,” Ramirez said. “The potential and possibility of having so many games is really exciting. … When everybody’s opportunity comes, to fully grasp that and show what you can do. “

bmackay@dispatch.com

@brimackay15

Get more Columbus Crew news by listening to our podcast