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Steven Moreira among Columbus Crew players who had options exercised
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- Steven Moreira among Columbus Crew players who had options exercised
The Crew opted to pick up options for five players, including 2 024 MLS Defender of the Year Steven Moreira , the team announced on Nov. 26.
Following the end of their 2025 season in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs , 11 Crew players' contracts were set to expire, with eight having at least one club option remaining.
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Along with Moreira, forwards Ibrahim Aliyu and Jacen Russell-Rowe , midfielder Amar Sejdic and defender Cesar Ruvalcaba had their options picked up by the Crew.
Columbus Crew defender Steven Moreira (31) passes the ball in the second half at Lower.com Field on Saturday, May 3, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.
The Crew declined to pick up options for midfielders Lassi Lappalainen and Derrick Jones.
Veteran midfielder Darlington Nagbe had one option remaining but announced his retirement before the end of the season on Oct. 7. The 35-year-old spent 15 seasons in MLS, accumulating over 400 regular-season appearances and four MLS Cup titles with three different teams.
"His legacy ... he doesn't realize what he's leaving behind," Crew general manager Issa Tall said. "He's the best ball-retainer in the world. But that aside, it's the professional he's been, and the person he is, is his legacy."
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Lappalainen signed with the Crew as a free agent last offseason, reuniting him with his former CF Montreal coach Wilfried Nancy. During his time in Columbus, Lappalainen had injury struggles that sidelined him for short periods, though the 27-year-old notched four regular-season assists and a goal.
More: Columbus Crew finalizing agreement for Wilfried Nancy to join Celtic FC
Jones' option being declined comes a month after he was suspended from all team activity for violating MLS rules. The actions that led to his suspension remain undisclosed.
Will Columbus Crew resign any of their free agents?
Goalkeepers Evan Bush , Abraham Romero and defender Rudy Camacho had their contracts expire without an option remaining, though the Crew are in contract negotiations with Bush and Camacho.
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After missing all but one game in 2025 due to a preseason abductor injury , Camacho has expressed interest in remaining with the Crew for at least another year.
"I know the club, I know the city," Camacho said. "I'm feeling good. ... The club treats me well, and my family, and there is no reason to leave."
Columbus Crew defender Rudy Camacho (4) passes during the second game of the first round MLS Cup Playoffs match against FC Cincinnati at Lower.com Field in Columbus on Nov. 2, 2025. The Crew won 4-0.
Columbus Crew's current roster
With the five options picked up, the Crew have 22 players on their roster.
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Ibrahim Aliyu
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Max Arfsten
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Mo Farsi
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Andres Herrera
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Hugo Picard
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Cesar Ruvalcaba
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Amar Sejdic
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew 2025 roster decisions, Steven Moreira set to return
