COLUMBUS NEWS

Marlon Hairston - Takes shot in win Hairston took a shot and won three of four tackles in last weekend's 2-0 victory against the Fire. He also made a clearance and an interception in the match.

Impact Hairston made 21 appearances (16 starts) in MLS for Columbus this season, missing a few games in May and August with injuries. He will have more competition in defensive midfield next year with the presumed return of Artur, who has been out since May with a hip injury.

NOVEMBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Liam Fraser - Subs on in season finale Fraser played the final 30 minutes of last weekend's match against Chicago, and he made two clearances in the 2-0 win.

Impact Fraser made 23 MLS appearances (11 starts) during his first year with Columbus, mostly filling in when Marlon Hairstonwas injured in defensive midfield.

NOVEMBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Steven Moreira - Creates six chances in win Moreira made three clearances and created six chances in last weekend's 2-0 victory against Chicago. He also won three of three tackles in the match.

Impact Moreira was effective at right back for Columbus this season, grabbing two assists in seven MLS appearances (six starts) after just transferring from Toulouse in late August. He will likely be the starter in 2022 over 35-year-old Harrison Afful.

NOVEMBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Harrison Afful - Plays three minutes in season finale Afful subbed into last weekend's match against the Fire in the 87th minute and he completed six passes.

Impact Afful saw his usage decrease this season once Steven Moreira was signed in late August, and the 35-year-old Afful might transition to a backup player rather than a starter at right back in 2022.

NOVEMBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Milton Valenzuela - Takes three shots in win Valenzuela took three shots and created two chances in last weekend's 2-0 victory against Chicago. He also made three clearances and two interceptions in the match.

Impact Valenzuela was hampered by a few hamstring injuries this season, and was only able to make 14 appearances (12 starts) in MLS, keeping three clean sheets. The 23-year-old will want to return fully fit in 2022 and make the Crew's left back spot his own once again.

NOVEMBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Vito Wormgoor - Takes two shots in win Wormgoor took two shots and won one of one tackles in last weekend's 2-0 victory against Chicago. He also made three clearances, a block and an interception in the match.

Impact Wormgoor kept two clean sheets in 17 MLS appearances (16 starts) this season in returning from an ankle injury that forced him to miss virtually all of 2020. He was just about the preferred option to partner Jonathan Mensah at center back for Columbus, but 21-year-old Aboubacar Keita will be vying for that spot in the XI in 2022.

NOVEMBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jonathan Mensah - Misses season finale Mensah was not in Columbus' match day squad in last weekend's victory against Chicago.

Impact Mensah ends the season as the Crew's first-choice defender once again, scoring two goals and keeping five clean sheets in 29 MLS appearances (28 starts).

NOVEMBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Eloy Room - Keeps clean sheet against Chicago Room made three saves and kept a clean sheet in last weekend's 2-0 victory against the Fire.

Impact Room ends the season with seven clean sheets and 39 goals allowed in 30 games, a significant drop off from the form that saw his side win the MLS Cup last year.

NOVEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Derick Etienne - Records assist against Chicago Etienne took two shots (one on target) and assisted a goal in last weekend's 2-0 victory against the Fire. He also made two interceptions, and he created three chances overall in t...

Impact Etienne finished the season with one goal and four assists in 29 MLS appearances (21 starts), playing from either wing in Columbus' attack. This was the 24-year-old's first time getting more than 10 starts in a season, and he will want to remain a consistent feature in the Crew's XI in 2022.

NOVEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Lucas Zelarrayan - Scores goal against Chicago Zelarayan scored a goal and created five chances in last weekend's 2-0 victory against the Fire. He also won one of one tackles, and he took eight shots (three on target) overall i...

Impact Zelarayan scored his fifth goal in as many matches in last weekend's season finale, taking his tally up to 12 goals and four assists in 32 appearances (28 starts) in MLS this year. He was dominant from attacking midfield, not only scoring big goals but doing so with impressive skill and technique, and the 29-year-old will be one of the most exciting players to watch heading into 2022.

NOVEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Miguel Berry - Scores goal against Chicago Berry scored a goal and created a chance in last weekend's 2-0 victory against the Fire. He also won one of one tackles, and he took six shots (four on target) overall in the match...

Impact Berry ended the season with three goals in four games, capping off a successful debut year in MLS. Overall, he posted eight goals and an assist in 18 appearances (nine starts), providing a dependable option when Gyasi Zardes was unavailable or injured. The 24-year-old will want to make another step up in 2022 and try to become a regular in the starting lineup.

NOVEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

New location for USA-Mexico honors rivalry's traditions — but with a twist

Martin Rogers breaks down the move to Cincinnati for the latest installment of the rivalry between the USMNT and Mexico.

NOVEMBER 11, 2021

Chicago Fire lose their season finale to the Columbus Crew 2-0 and finish 9-18-7 Lucas Zelarayan and Miguel Berry scored for the Columbus Crew in their 2-0 win over the Chicago Fire (9-18-7), who finished the season in 12...

NOVEMBER 7, 2021 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Crew tops Fire 2-0 but defending champs miss playoffs

Lucas Zelarayan and Miguel Berry scored for Columbus in its 2-0 win Sunday over the Chicago Fire

NOVEMBER 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

MLS Footnotes: Wild 'Decision Day' will sort out playoff possibilities

There is a ton to be decided on MLS "Decision Day," and a couple traditional powers could be left out of the playoffs Sunday.

NOVEMBER 5, 2021

Columbus faces Chicago after Zelarrayan's 2-goal game

Columbus takes on Chicago after Lucas Zelarrayan registered two goals against DC United

NOVEMBER 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

US goalkeeper Steffen extends Man City contract until 2025

Manchester City’s American goalkeeper Zack Steffen has signed a contract extension tying him to the club until the summer of 2025

NOVEMBER 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Eloy Room - Chalks up second straight win Room made two saves and conceded once during the 3-1 win against D.C. United on Saturday.

Impact Room has had quite the rollercoaster of a season, however, he seems to be hitting another peak. The keeper now has back-to-back wins and he has not conceded three or more goals in his last eight appearances. The only downside to his play is the lack of saves he is making compared to his goals against. Over his last five appearances, he is averaging, 2.0 saves and 1.2 goals against per 90 minutes in all competitions.

NOVEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Lucas Zelarrayan - Continues domination in win Zelarayan scored a brace, produced three shots (two on target), created six chances, sent 11 crosses (three accurate), took five corners and made two tackles (one won) in the 3-1 v...

Impact Zelarayan has kicked his competitive level up a notch or two over the past month. The midfielder has four goals and two assists over his last five appearances. In that time frame, he is also averaging, 2.8 shots, 3.0 created chances, 9.6 crosses and 5.8 corners per 90 minutes in all competitions. Zelarayan has some of the best form in the entire league right now and he is a must-start in all formats.

NOVEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Miguel Berry - Continues to shine in advanced role Berry assisted once, took six shots (four on target), created three chances and made one tackle (one won) during the 3-1 win against D.C. United on Saturday.

Impact Berry has been the missing piece since he received a starting spot with the Crew. The forward in his three starts has two goals and one assist. He is also averaging, 3.33 shots, 1.0 created chances and 1.0 tackles per 90 minutes in all competitions. This match was surely his best performance all season and he will have another chance to shine next week in the final match of the season against Chicago.

NOVEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Darlington Nagbe - Picks up third assist in 3-1 win Nagbe assisted once, created one chance and drew four fouls in the 3-1 win over D.C. United on Saturday.

Impact Nagbe did not do much in the win Saturday. If not for his incredible chip-pass to set up the second goal of the game, he would have been useless. He has struggled all season to find consistency and he will remain a boom-or-bust option for the final game of the season.

NOVEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Pedro Santos - Misses brace in 3-1 win Santos scored once, produced four shots (two on target), created one chance, sent three crosses (one accurate), took one corner and made two tackles (one won) in the 3-1 win agains...

Impact Santos looked phenomenal in the win Saturday. The midfielder has been in incredible form lately and he would have had a brace if not for the crossbar. He now has two goals and three assists over his last five appearances. In that time, he is averaging, 2.6 shots, 1.0 created chances, 2.6 crosses, 0.2 corners and 1.8 tackles per 90 minutes in all competitions. Santos has some of the best form for the Crew and he will be walking into a decent matchup against Chicago to end the season next week.

NOVEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Zelarayán, Crew avoid elimination again, beat DC United 3-1 WASHINGTON (AP) — Lucas Zelarayán scored two goals, Pedro Santos added another and the Columbus Crew beat D.C. United 3-1 on Saturday night...

OCTOBER 31, 2021 • WINNIPEGFREEPRESS.COM

Zelarayán, Crew avoid elimination again, beat DC United 3-1

Lucas Zelarayán scored two goals, Pedro Santos added another and the Columbus Crew beat D

OCTOBER 31, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Steven Moreira - Provides assist in win Moreira provided one assist, created three chances, delivered two crosses and committed one foul in Wednesday's 3-2 win versus Orlando City.

Impact Moreira had a great offensive outing as he registered one assist to help his side take home all three points. The fullback has now collected two assist in his last two appearances, along with racking up six chances created and five crosses in the same time span.

OCTOBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE