COLUMBUS NEWS

Marlon Hairston - Comes off injured Hairston came off the pitch early during Saturday's two-all draw with New England.

Impact Hairston came off with an undisclosed injury, it seemed to be non-contact as he pulled up in the middle of the pitch unable to move well. It's uncertain what the timeline for his return will look like, but Columbus Crew are heavily struggling with injuries.

JULY 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Milton Valenzuela - Re-injures hamstring Valenzuela came off the pitch early, holding his hamstring during Saturday's two-all draw with New England.

Impact Valenzuela has already suffered two hamstring injuries this year, and is just returning from a two-month layoff for another hamstring issue. This re-injury is a bad sign, and could lead Columbus Crew to giving him a lengthy lay-off to fully heal.

JULY 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Gyasi Zardes - Listed as questionable Zardes is listed as questionable with a calf injury for Saturday's visit from New England, according to Jacob Myers of the Columbus Dispatch.

Impact Zardes is going to leave for the Gold Cup in the near future but he may not play in Saturday's game anyway. A lack of depth at forward means that an attacking midfielder may need to move up the pitch if Zardes is unfit this weekend.

JULY 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Derrick Etienne - Going to Gold Cup Etienne has already joined the Haitian national team for the Gold Cup ahead of Saturday's game against New England, according to Patrick Murphy of Massive Report.

Impact Etienne has started in five of his eight appearances this season, recording one assist. Normally he's the one filling the depth on the wings, but many other players won't be fit or available for the Crew in July so it's worth tracking who gets minutes in the next few weeks.

JULY 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Kevin Molino - With national team Molino has already joined the Trinidad and Tobago national team ahead of the Gold Cup, according to Patrick Murphy of Massive Report.

Impact Molino should miss much of July while he's helping his national team during the summer competition. A fit Luis Diaz (knee) would help to fill the gap left by Molino, though other absences mean new options will need to be tried in the attack.

JULY 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Pedro Santos - Has tight hamstring Santos is dealing with a tight hamstring, manager Caleb Porter told Patrick Murphy of Massive Report on Tuesday.

Impact Santos only lasted 84 minutes into the last match against Austin FC in his return to an attacking role. With Kevin Molino and Derrick Etienne already with their national teams, Alexandre Irinel Matan could get his third start in four games if Santos can't play.

JULY 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Josh Williams - Still hurt Williams has still been dealing with a tight Achilles ahead of Saturday's match against New England, manager Caleb Porter told Patrick Murphy of Massive Report.

Impact Williams is likely to remain behind Vito Wormgoor in the depth chart until he's returned to full fitness. He's kept two clean sheets in six starts this season.

JULY 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Marlon Hairston - Seeing more time off bench Hairston has played off the bench each of the last two matches and went 45 minutes in the draw against Austin.

Impact Hairston could find his way into the starting XI over the next few weeks while other players take part in the Gold Cup. He won't have a ton of fantasy value as a defensive midfielder, but his presence at least helps the Crew as a whole, as he brings experience to the midfield.

JULY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Columbus Crew face the New England Revolution

The New England Revolution and the Columbus Crew hit the pitch

JULY 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Eloy Room - Keeps clean sheet against Austin Room made five saves and kept a clean sheet during Sunday's scoreless draw against Austin.

Impact Room had a great first half, making some huge saves that prevented the opposition from opening the scoring. He had a more quiet second half, but kept showing safety when called into action. The goalkeeper kept his first clean sheet since he opened the season with two straight and will hope to be at his best during next Saturday's clash against East leaders New England.

JUNE 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jonathan Mensah - Makes nine clearances in draw Mensah made nine clearances and helped his side to keep a clean sheet during Sunday's scoreless draw against Austin.

Impact Mensah was rock-solid at the heart of the defense, racking up a season-high nine clearances and being a huge reason why his side was able to withstand some stretches of heavy pressure during the first half and then keep the opposing attack at bay after halftime. With 15 clearances and two clean sheets over the last three matches, the centre back will try to keep it up during Saturday's home match against New England.

JUNE 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Pedro Santos - Makes four tackles in draw Santos had two off-target shots, sent in two inaccurate crosses, made four tackles (three won) and suffered two fouls during Sunday's scoreless draw against Austin.

Impact Santos was deployed for the first time this season as a right winger after starting as a left back the previous three matches. Despite the more advanced positioning, he provided some defensive help, pacing his side in tackles, and his two-way abilities will be in high demand during Saturday's clash against East leaders New England.

JUNE 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Gyasi Zardes - Takes six shots in draw Zardes had six shots (three on target) and suffered four fouls during Sunday's scoreless draw against Austin.

Impact Zardes bounced back from a very poor performance on the previous match, leading Columbus attack with a game-high six shot attempts. On the other hand, the striker missed a huge chance in the 74th minute, having a shot from the six-yard box saved by the goalkeeper after a free-kick cross from the left. Zardes has three goals scored so far this season and will try to add to his tally during Saturday's home match against New England.

JUNE 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Lucas Zelarrayan - Fills stat sheet against Austin Zelarayan had five shots (three on target), created four chances and sent in 11 crosses (four accurate) during Sunday's scoreless draw against Austin.

Impact Zelarayan was arguably the man of the match here, being a menace both with his playmaking and finishing plays himself. He used his skills to dribble past his opponents at will and pace his side in crosses and chances created. On the other hand, despite his eye-popping numbers, Zelarayan had no goals or assists over his last four starts. He'll try to put this drought to an end during Saturday's clash against New England.

JUNE 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Perry Kitchen - Back in squad Sunday Kitchen (thigh) is on the bench for Sunday's match against Austin.

Impact Kitchen is back in the squad Sunday, his first since the opener because of a thigh injury. He's a nice boost to the side even if not starting against Austin, as his presence will provide depth going forward, something Columbus could use once players go away on international duty.

JUNE 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Josh Williams - Remains out Williams (undisclosed) is not in the squad for Sunday's match against Austin.

Impact Williams misses his second-straight match Sunday with an undisclosed issue. He went a full 90 a week ago, but something is bugging him, which has meant a couple starts for Vito Wormgoor on the back line. When healthy, Williams has been a first option at center-back for Columbus.

JUNE 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Bradley Wright-Phillips - May return in mid-July Wright-Phillips (thigh) could return in mid-July, manager Caleb Porter told the media Friday.

Impact Wright-Phillips has missed each of the last two games and now has a more formal diagnosis on when he could return. As the backup striker behind Gyasi Zardes, Wright-Philips doesn't have much value when healthy in the first place.

JUNE 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Artur - Could return in two weeks Artur (hip) is dealing with "chronic osteitis pubis" and will hopefully return in a couple of weeks, manager Caleb Porter told the media Friday.

Impact Artur is finally getting some time off after a hip injury forced him to miss two games and limited his minutes before the international break. His absence has helped give Liam Fraser more time in the lineup as a defensive midfielder.

JUNE 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Austin FC and Columbus meet in cross-conference contest

Austin FC and the Columbus Crew meet in a non-conference matchup

JUNE 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Milton Valenzuela - Plays 30 minutes in loss Valenzuela subbed into Wednesday's match against Philadelphia in the 60th minute and he took a shot in the 1-0 defeat.

Impact Valenzuela made his first appearance since the season opener on Wednesday after recovering from a hamstring injury. He might be fit enough to start Sunday against Austin FC, which have scored just six goals in 10 MLS matches.

JUNE 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Gyasi Zardes - Has quiet game in loss Zardes created a chance and made an interception in Wednesday's 1-0 defeat against Philadelphia. He also made two clearances in the match.

Impact Zardes was bottled up by the Union on Wednesday after goals in back-to-back appearances straddling the international break. He will want to be more active Sunday against Austin FC, which have conceded 11 goals in 10 matches this season.

JUNE 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Pedro Santos - Takes shot in loss Santos took a shot and made two clearances in Wednesday's 1-0 defeat against Philadelphia. He also made an interception and won one of three tackles in the match.

Impact Santos was solid in defense on Wednesday, but he couldn't prevent Jamiro Monteiro's winning goal for the Union. He should have an easier time Sunday against Austin FC, which are 11th in the Western Conference and have scored just six goals in 10 matches this season.

JUNE 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Eloy Room - Concedes goal against Philadelphia Room made zero saves and conceded a goal in Wednesday's 1-0 defeat against the Union.

Impact Room was beaten by a Jamiro Monteiro strike on Wednesday after completing his quarantine following his involvement with the Curacao team during the international break. He will try to bounce back Sunday against Austin FC, which have scored just six goals in 10 matches this season.

JUNE 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE