Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 9 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.
A player who expected to start watched it instead. The manager will call it a decision for the team; Steven Moreira will call it something else in private.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Columbus Crew have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Columbus Crew, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Columbus Crew can pretend not to have heard.
He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.
He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.
A new face in his position, and Wessam Abou Ali suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Columbus Crew have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
A season-long audition: Palmeiras still own him, but the shirt and the minutes are Columbus Crew's to give. A loan is a bet both clubs believe they are winning.
A season-long audition: DC United still own him, but the shirt and the minutes are Columbus Crew's to give. A loan is a bet both clubs believe they are winning.