At the beginning of the season, Columbus Crew SC traded away two of their most powerful players in Justin Meram and Ola Kamara. Needless to say, Crew SC fans were left puzzled and upset.
In case you have been living under a rock the last nine months, Investor/Operator Anthony Precourt is exploring options to relocate the team to Austin, Texas.
Sucks, right? Well, he is.
Justin Meram Won’t Re-sign With Columbus Crew SC
The Ola Kamara Trade
Kamara was traded to the Los Angeles Galaxy at the beginning of the season, in exchange for Gyasi Zardes. Columbus certainly got the better end of the deal.
It was unclear as to why Kamara requested the trade, but all the attention was focused on the relocation talks, and many came to the conclusion that was the reason why.
Kamara has yet to come out and speak on the trade and why he moved away from Crew SC.
This season, Kamara has nine goals and zero assists in 18 games played, 17 of those starts.
The Justin Meram Trade
Justin was shopped at the beginning of the season also and then was picked up by Orlando City SC.
Meram has one goal and three assists in 17 games played, 14 of those starts.
“I don’t get it.” We’re getting there.
It recently came out that Orlando was currently shopping the Iraqi international midfielder, and the likely destinations were the Portland Timbers, Vancouver Whitecaps, FC Cincinnati, and…. *drumroll.gif* Columbus Crew SC.
Source: Justin Meram will be traded to Columbus, FC Cincinatti, Portland or Vancouver in next 48 hours. Columbus and Cincinatti have highest bids in for him.
— MLS Transfers (@MLSTransfers) July 22, 2018
According to @samstejskal, Orlando in discussions to trade Justin Meram back to #CrewSC: https://t.co/YSJ15oAtbH pic.twitter.com/hNJYo8KXID
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 24, 2018
Now the title of this article mentions that he won’t re-sign with the team that drafted him back in 2011, Columbus.
Why?
Meram has been very vocal about the relocation talks and has a side on the talks.
My “thank god” comment was a sarcastic joke about being a Michigan man in Ohio. And I love Columbus & always will. Never spoke bad about the club esp the fans, coaches and my brothers I played with. I just could never support an owner moving the team. One love Cbus #SaveTheCrew https://t.co/Z7LU3wFt1S
— Justin Meram (@JustinMeram) April 8, 2018
Since then, the Meram talks had been swept under the rug. He didn’t travel with Orlando to Columbus in their 3-2 defeat after a screamer from Wil Trapp to secure the three points for the Black and Gold.
But after digging on Twitter, talks between Orlando and Columbus have fallen through, and the club now has brought in FC Dallas in the picture.
However, FC Cincinnati could still land the winger as a deal could be done before the window closes.
Rumor: Justin Meram to @fccincinnati, very close to donehttps://t.co/5J9AsCxc9V
— Cincy Soccer Talk (@cincysoccertalk) July 23, 2018
So, it’s not Columbus, but it’s Ohio. That still counts right?
What Do Fans Think?
Rumors came out that Meram had been receiving abuse from the “hardcore” Orlando fan base.
Of course, any fan base that considered themselves “hardcore” had consequences come knocking on their doorstep. (Sorry, Sector Latino and District Ultras.)
Back to the main issue.
Orlando fans are calling Meram “soft” and a “crybaby” because of said rumored verbal abuse.
But there are also fans like Joshua Bradshaw, who think Meram is a good person.
@JustinMeram it was a pleasure meeting you the other night. My daughter couldn’t wait to tell the wife and her sister. pic.twitter.com/XXVtEOObkA
— Joshua Bradshaw (@jbradshaw28) July 26, 2018
This piece from Orlando’s SB Nation blog The Mane Land talks about why Orlando shouldn’t trade away Meram.
Crew SC fans were ready to welcome Meram back with open arms.
But the end of the ride is here. Columbus will not re-sign Justin Meram.
