Columbus Crew are reportedly planning on bringing in another player before the end of the rooster window according to the club manager and sporting director, Gregg Berhalter. The rooster freeze comes into effect on Monday thus forcing a lot of clubs into panic purchases in the last few days. Berhalter says that there is the possibility of bringing in one more player, but he also confirmed that it will not be coming in the form of a trade. Contrary to rumours, Berhalter has dismissed suggestions that Columbus Crew are panicking in the window.
The club are fifth in the table but only because of a slightly superior goal difference compared to the sixth placed Philadelphia Union. Philadelphia are on a high after reaching the U.S. Open final. They will be given a major boost if they win this title and could potentially overtake Columbus in the table. Berhalter says that he is not reacting to the club’s current form or position in the table. Columbus have been actually good in the last few weeks after failing to win only two matches in the last five. They have also suffered only one defeat in this run.
An upcoming match against Philadelphia in the middle of October will be a crucial fixture for both teams. “It’s something that we’ve seen for a while in the last three weeks that we’ve been kind of working on. We’ve learned what later stages mean. Later stages could also be beginning stages. You don’t know. So until the signature is on paper, it’s not in the later stages. I think it’s going to be an interesting push toward the last six games and toward the playoffs. I think the group has come together nicely,” said Berhalter. Columbus’ next match is against New England at the Columbus Crew stadium.