Crew Part Ways With Stalwart Higuain

The Columbus Crew will not retain longtime midfielder Federico Higuain and declined his option for 2020, the franchise announced Monday.

Higuain is the only player in franchise history with at least 50 goals and 50 assists.
Higuain, who turns 35 on Friday, has recorded 55 goals and 63 assists in 193 matches (184 starts) in eight seasons with Columbus.

"On behalf of our Club and our ownership group, I'd like to thank (Federico) for everything that he has been for this Club," Crew general manager Tim Bezbatchenko said in a statement.

"He is an absolute legend; he's respected from top to bottom in our organization."

Higuain experienced a disappointing 2019 campaign that was cut short by a season-ending ACL tear on May 25 against the Colorado Rapids. He had one goal and five assists in 14 games (13 starts) before the injury.

Higuain was one of six players who didn't have their options picked up.

The others were goalkeeper Ben Lundgaard, defender Alex Crognale and midfielders David Guzman, Edward Opoku and Eduardo Sosa.

Midfielder Pedro Santos was one of six players who had his option picked up. Santos experienced a breakthrough campaign with 11 goals and six assists.

Columbus also picked up the options on midfielders Wil Trapp and Luis Argudo and defenders Hector Jimenez, Jonathan Mensah and http://allinfootballncricket.website2.me/blog/best-cheap-young-cm-in-fifa-19 Waylon Francis.

Bezbatchenko said he would like to keep Higuain with the club in a non-playing role.

--Field Level Media