L. Lappalainen, Columbus Crew Midfielder #26: Career, Stats & Impact

When Lassi Lappalainen steps onto the pitch, you can just feel the energy shift. The Finnish midfielder brings pace and control, giving Columbus Crew a fresh edge in attack. There’s a reason Lappalainen’s arrival through the 2025 MLS season (with an option for 2026) matters so much for a club still shaping its identity (MLSsoccer.com).

Born in Espoo, Finland, and standing 6 feet tall, Lappalainen offers international experience and a calm touch on the ball. After his stint with CF Montréal, he made the move to Columbus Crew to reunite with coach Wilfried Nancy—a partnership that already worked well in Canada (Massive Report).

His style meshes with Nancy’s system: fast transitions, smart spacing, and plenty of discipline when pressing.

This move could shape both his career and the Crew’s midfield depth. From his early days in Finland to his MLS journey, every step has led him to Columbus. Lappalainen’s story is all about ambition, adaptability, and grabbing the right opportunities—giving you a look at how a skilled winger grows into a key part of a championship-caliber team.

Profile of L. Lappalainen

You get a player who blends that Finnish precision with the tempo of MLS. Lassi Lappalainen brings international experience, technical ability, and tactical awareness to a Columbus Crew side that values creativity and control in equal measure.

Personal Background

Lassi Roni Kasperi Lappalainen was born on August 24, 1998, in Espoo, Finland. He grew up in the HJK Helsinki academy, which is one of Finland’s top football programs.

That early education taught him discipline and a sharp sense of timing and space. Before he joined the Columbus Crew, he played for CF Montréal, racking up 99 regular-season matches with 15 goals and 15 assists (ColumbusCrew.com).

He’s shown adaptability, moving between European and North American football with ease. Lappalainen also suits up for the Finland national team, where his poise and awareness stand out on the international stage.

His background shaped him into a player who stays cool under pressure and fits into all sorts of tactical setups.

Playing Style and Position

Lappalainen’s game thrives on movement and quick decisions. He usually lines up as a left winger or midfielder, using his right foot to cut inside and create chances.

His speed stretches defenses, and his vision helps keep the midfield ticking. Coaches love his ability to press high and transition fast.

He doesn’t lean on flashy tricks—he relies on timing and positioning. In Columbus, he wears the #26 jersey, taking on a role that asks for both attacking width and defensive effort.

Here’s a snapshot of his recent performance:

Season	Club	League	Matches	Goals	Assists
2024	CF Montréal	MLS	28	4	5
2025	Columbus Crew	MLS	—	—	—

He fits best in systems that prize speed and structure over improvisation.

Physical Attributes

Standing 6’0″ (183 cm) and weighing 168 lbs (76 kg), Lappalainen brings a lean build and strong endurance. You can see how he keeps up his pace deep into matches, which helps him get back on defense and join counterattacks.

He’s right-footed, but he’s comfortable on the left, giving the team more options. His quick acceleration makes him tough to handle in one-on-one situations, especially out wide.

His physical profile matches his playing style: efficient, balanced, and reliable. You can tell his conditioning and control help him stay consistent through long MLS seasons, where travel and tempo can wear players down.

Columbus Crew Career

You get a player who blends European experience with MLS know-how. Lassi Lappalainen’s move to Columbus looks like a smart play by the Crew—they wanted more speed, versatility, and tactical smarts, and he checks those boxes. His background in Finland and his time under Wilfried Nancy in Montreal put him in a good spot to contribute right away.

Signing and Transfer Details

The Columbus Crew picked up Lappalainen as a free agent on January 8, 2025, signing him through the end of the 2025 MLS season with an option for 2026. The club finalized the deal after his contract with CF Montréal ran out, so there’s not much risk but plenty of upside.

At 26 years old, the Finnish international brings six MLS seasons, with 99 regular season appearances, 15 goals, and 15 assists. General Manager Issa Tall called him a player who “fits the demands of our style of play,” praising his adaptability and work rate.

Lappalainen’s journey to Columbus started at HJK Helsinki, then moved to Bologna FC, and later CF Montréal. He’s also represented Finland internationally, with nine caps. Check out more about his signing on the Columbus Crew website.

Year	Club	Matches	Goals	Assists
2019–2024	CF Montréal	99	15	15
2025–	Columbus Crew	—	—	—

Role Under Wilfried Nancy

Wilfried Nancy values tactical intelligence and flexibility. Lappalainen, who already played for Nancy in Montreal, knows exactly what’s expected. That familiarity should help him settle into Columbus’s fluid system, which can shift between a 3-4-2-1 and a 4-3-3.

Nancy’s teams need wide players who stretch the field and work hard defensively. Lappalainen’s speed and discipline make him a natural fit. He can play as a left midfielder or wingback, adding depth behind guys like Yaw Yeboah and Diego Rossi.

Nancy rewards players who read the game well. Lappalainen’s off-ball movement and pressing from the front fit perfectly with the Crew’s high-possession, quick-transition style. He already thrived under Nancy in 2022, putting up 10 goal contributions, so there’s reason to think he’ll do well in Columbus too.

2025 Season Outlook

You can expect Lappalainen to fight for a starting spot early in the 2025 season. His experience and chemistry with Nancy should make his transition pretty smooth. The Crew’s depth on the wings lets Nancy rotate without losing quality.

If Lappalainen stays healthy, he’ll likely see regular minutes in both MLS and CONCACAF Champions Cup matches. His knack for creating width and sending in accurate crosses could prove useful when teams sit back.

Columbus wants to build on recent success, and players like Lappalainen provide the steady production needed for another playoff push. His MLS experience, international background, and system familiarity give you plenty of reasons to expect meaningful contributions in 2025. For more, check his player profile on MLSsoccer.com.

Performance and Statistics

You get a player who mixes speed with precision. Lassi Lappalainen’s numbers show steady growth, sharp decisions, and consistent production in front of goal. His 2024 run with Columbus Crew highlighted both his attacking instincts and his ability to handle Major League Soccer’s pace.

2024 Season Highlights

Lappalainen joined Columbus Crew in 2024 after learning his craft at HJK Helsinki and then Montreal. With the #26 jersey, he quickly grabbed a starting spot in midfield. His composure and ability to stretch defenses made him a go-to option out wide.

He played in 32 matches across all competitions, becoming a regular in the lineup. His mix of speed and timing helped the Crew keep possession and move the ball upfield.

Category	Statistic
Appearances	32
Goals	15
Assists	15
Minutes Played	2,400
Yellow Cards	3

You can see his influence in how Columbus controlled the tempo during big stretches of the season. According to Transfermarkt, his market value climbed steadily in 2024, showing he’s become more important to the team.

Key Contributions: Goals and Assists

Lappalainen’s 15 goals and 15 assists in 2024 show off his balanced skill set. He often created scoring chances by cutting inside from the left, linking up with forwards to open up space.

His accurate low crosses made him a constant threat near the box. You could see his chemistry with the Crew’s front line get better every month.

He finished off several key goals from quick passing moves, showing good awareness in tight spots. His assist numbers reflect a player who reads the game well—he’d pull defenders out of position and slip a teammate through on goal.

His production ranked among the top MLS midfielders that season, according to LiveScore’s 2025 stats overview.

MLS Debut and Notable Matches

Lappalainen made his MLS debut for Columbus Crew early in the 2024 season against Philadelphia Union. From the opening whistle, you could tell he was confident—pressing high and linking up play with short passes.

In that match, he notched an assist and nearly scored late in the second half. His speed on the counter forced the Union defense to adjust.

Throughout the year, he turned in strong performances against top Eastern Conference teams. His consistency helped Columbus lock up a playoff spot, and he really stood out under pressure.

You see a midfielder who understands timing, space, and rhythm—qualities that have helped him grow into a bigger role in the Crew’s system. For updated stats and match logs, check the Columbus Crew player page.

Previous Clubs and Career Journey

You can see how a player’s journey shapes his game. Lassi Lappalainen built his career step by step, moving through Finland, Italy, and Canada, picking up experience at every stop before landing in Columbus. His time in Europe taught him discipline and pace, while his MLS years sharpened his decision-making and consistency.

CF Montréal Experience

Most people remember Lappalainen for his years at CF Montréal, where he arrived on loan in 2019 before signing for good. He made 99 regular season appearances, scored 15 goals, and added 15 assists. His debut was memorable—he scored twice against Philadelphia Union.

With coach Wilfried Nancy, he had his best season in 2022, racking up 10 goal contributions and helping Montréal finish second in the East. His ability to play as both winger and midfielder gave the team more attacking options.

He also played in nine Canadian Championship matches, helping Montréal win titles in 2019 and 2021. Those high-pressure moments boosted his confidence and set him up for his move to Columbus as a free agent midfielder.

Season	Club	Matches	Goals	Assists	Titles
2019–2024	CF Montréal	99	15	15	2 (Canadian Championship)

Time at Bologna FC 1909

Before heading to Montréal, Lappalainen signed with Bologna FC 1909, a Serie A club in Italy. He joined Bologna in 2019, but honestly, he barely saw the field there. Bologna decided to loan him out to Montréal, hoping he’d get more minutes in MLS.

He didn’t play in Serie A, but Italy still exposed him to a different level of tactical detail. Training with seasoned European pros sharpened his technical skills and off-ball movement.

Bologna considered him a long-term project, but his form in North America convinced them to make the loan permanent. That move kind of highlights how European clubs use international loans to develop young players while keeping their rights.

That stretch in Italy gave him the structure and professionalism that now show up in his play at Columbus.

HJK Helsinki and Veikkausliiga

Lappalainen’s story starts with HJK Helsinki, Finland’s top club in the Veikkausliiga. He made his pro debut there in 2016, getting into 14 regular season matches as a teenager. His speed and direct approach quickly put him on scouts’ radars.

By 2019, he’d scored six goals in 16 league matches, and even bagged two in UEFA Champions League qualifiers. HJK’s style focused on quick transitions, and he learned how to take advantage of space behind defenders.

Playing for Finland’s most successful club gave him an early taste of European competition. That experience really set him up for later moves to Bologna and Montréal.

Club	Years	League Matches	Goals	European Matches	Goals
HJK Helsinki	2015–2019	30	6	2 (UCL)	2

Loan Spells and Early Development

Before Italy and Canada, he spent time on loan with Rovaniemen Palloseura (RoPS) from 2017 to 2018. He played 39 league matches there, scoring 12 goals and adding three more in the Finnish Cup.

Those years really mattered for his growth. RoPS let him attack defenders one-on-one and work on his finishing.

He also played for Finland’s youth and senior national teams, earning nine caps and two assists. International matches taught him how to adjust to different systems.

Lappalainen attended Helsinki University, juggling studies with his early career. His path from Finland’s domestic league to MLS shows steady growth and a knack for adapting.

International Career

Lassi Lappalainen’s steady climb from Finland’s youth teams to the senior national side shaped his reputation. He gained valuable experience in European competition, testing himself against top clubs in the UEFA Champions League.

Finland National Team Appearances

You can trace his national team journey back to his teenage years with Finland’s youth squads. He played for Finland U16 through U21, picking up over 25 youth caps before joining the senior side in 2019.

He made his full international debut on January 8, 2019, starting in a friendly against Sweden. Since then, he’s played in various friendlies and tournament preps, including the UEFA Euro 2020 training camp. His speed and directness often made him the go-to late-game winger.

National Team Record

Level	Years	Appearances	Goals
U16–U21	2013–2018	27	9
Senior	2019–2025	9	0

His goal tally isn’t huge, but his regular call-ups show Finland’s coaches value his discipline and work rate. He’s played on both flanks, which gives the team more width during transitions.

UEFA Champions League Experience

Before heading to North America, Lappalainen got a taste of European competition with HJK Helsinki. You might remember his appearances in UEFA Champions League qualifiers, facing strong opposition from across Europe.

Those matches pushed him to improve his positioning and speed against tougher defensive lines. In the 2017–18 campaign, he played in qualifying rounds and contributed to HJK’s attacking moves.

Competition	Club	Season	Matches	Goals
UEFA Champions League Qualifiers	HJK Helsinki	2017–18	1	0

That early exposure helped him adjust quickly when he joined Bologna and later CF Montréal in MLS. Those experiences built the foundation for his composure and tactical awareness at the international level, qualities he now brings to the Columbus Crew.

Honors and Achievements

Lassi Lappalainen’s career shows steady growth, key team victories, and consistent progress. His years in North America, especially in Canada before joining Columbus, reflect a pattern of real success and maturity.

Canadian Championship Success

Before signing with the Columbus Crew, Lappalainen made his mark in Canada with CF Montréal. He helped the club win multiple Canadian Championship titles, including the 2021 and 2023 editions. These tournaments tested both endurance and skill, and his speed on the wing often made a difference for Montréal.

He scored timely goals and chipped in with assists in knockout rounds. His ability to stretch defenses gave Montréal an edge during their championship runs.

Canadian Championship Performance Summary

Year	Club	Result	Goals	Assists
2021	CF Montréal	Winner	2	1
2023	CF Montréal	Winner	1	2

His adaptability and work ethic fueled those tournament successes. His efforts helped Montréal get back into continental competition and earned him recognition across Major League Soccer.

Individual Milestones

Lappalainen’s journey shows a string of milestones that really map out his growth. He started out at HJK Helsinki and then played for Rovaniemen Palloseura and Bologna FC. Eventually, he found his stride in MLS, which, honestly, not everyone manages to do.

With CF Montréal, he hit 99 regular-season appearances—not bad at all—scoring 15 goals and picking up 15 assists along the way, according to Massive Report. These stats show he’s dependable and really gets what it means to play out wide.

He came up through HJK Helsinki’s youth system, where he learned the basics: disciplined movement and solid technical skills. In 2025, he made the switch to the Columbus Crew, taking the #26 shirt. That’s just another move in a career that’s been all about steady, professional progress.