Story by
Will Columbus Crew sign free agent following Sean Zawadzki injury?
- Story by
- Will Columbus Crew sign free agent following Sean Zawadzki injury?
The Crew's backline took a hit over the FIFA international break when Sean Zawadzki suffered a right MCL injury while practicing with the United States men's national team , leaving Columbus without the defender for the next three to six weeks.
"He was ready to show what he is capable of; and one action, a desire to win the ball, and he (injured) something," Crew coach Wilfried Nancy said. "But this is Sean. He's strong mentally. So, I discussed with him, this is a part of the journey, this is the way it is.
Advertisement
"He's going to come back stronger. But obviously, I would have preferred the opposite. We have to accept it, and now he's already on track to get back as soon as possible."
The Crew's Sean Zawadzki will miss three to six weeks with an MCL injury.
The Crew had already been playing down a defender. Rudy Camacho has been out the entire season with a thigh injury. Zawadzki's absence leaves the club with just three defenders ( Malte Amundsen , Yevhen Cheberko and Steven Moreira ) who have rotated into the lineup consistently this season. In addition, the Crew have used defender Cesar Ruvalcaba and midfielder Andres Herrera on the backline when the team was shorthanded.
If they wanted to sign another center back, the only opportunity would be via free agency before the roster freeze at the end of the day on Sept. 12. The window to trade or transfer a player from another league officially closed on Aug. 21. However, signing a free agent before the end of the season is something Nancy has suggested is unlikely.
Advertisement
"We can add players," Nancy said. "But what is the purpose for the player? This is a question, all the time, that I like to ask myself. And to be fair, the front office asked me the question, and the answer is yes, a free agent player that's going to bring something to us. … But no, I think that the group that we have is enough."
Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy walks onto the field for the Leagues Cup soccer match against Club Puebla at Lower.com Field in Columbus on Aug. 1, 2025.
Nancy cited the amount of time some players take to adjust to the Crew's system as a factor that might deter the team from signing a new player at this point in the season.
"The players we brought in already. This is not easy for them to play consistently at their level," Nancy said. "And they've been with us for two months."
Advertisement
BLACK & GOLD: Sign up for our weekly Columbus Crew newsletter
Will Mo Farsi, Darlington Nagbe return vs Atlanta United ?
Crew midfielders Mo Farsi and Darlington Nagbe are both nearing their returns after missing multiple games. In fact, Nancy said he expects Nagbe to be available for the matchup against Atlanta United on Sept. 13.
"He could have come back earlier," Nancy said. "But it was better for everyone that he comes back this week."
Crew defender Mohamed Farsi (at right) trains off to the side of a workout at the OhioHealth Performance Center on Aug. 21.
Nagbe suffered a torso injury during the Crew's final Leagues Cup game against Liga MX's Club Leon on Aug. 5.
Farsi has been out longer due to pelvic inflammation. He last played on July 6. The 25-year-old is still "day to day" and questionable for the Atlanta game.
Advertisement
The Crew kick off against Atlanta on the road at 7:30 p.m.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Will Columbus Crew sign a free agent? Wilfried Nancy responds
