Columbus Crew SC are in discussions regarding a potential trade for star striker Kei Kamara before the close of MLS’s primary transfer and trade window at 1 am ET on Thursday.
The news was first reported by Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl on Tuesday morning. A source later confirmed the report to MLSsoccer.com.
Kamara caused a good deal of controversy on Saturday when he publicly lashed out at teammate and fellow DP Federico Higuain over a dispute about who would take a penalty kick in the second half of Crew SC’s 4-4 draw against the Montreal Impact. Higuain converted the spot kick to give Columbus a 4-1 lead in the 53rd minute, but Montreal mounted a ferocious comeback that culminated with a 93rd minute 4-4 equalizer.
Kamara, who would’ve recorded his first career hat trick with a successful PK, blasted Higuain in the press after Saturday's match. Columbus head coach Gregg Berhalter told media on Tuesday that the club have suspended Kamara for Saturday’s match against Colorado (7:30 pm ET; MLS LIVE) for his comments.
Kamara, 31, tied Toronto FC’s Sebastian Giovinco for the MLS lead with 22 goals last season, his first with Columbus, but lost out on the Audi Golden Boot due to the assists tiebreaker. He signed a new Designated Player contract with the club prior to the start of the 2016 season and has five goals in nine games this year, good for No. 7 on the league's scoring charts.
