Don't get injured, PLEASE!!

We’re currently in the middle of FIFA’s November International Window and a couple of Crew players, Cucho and Jacen Russell-Rowe, have been called up for duty. While it is always a great honor for the players to represent their country, as a fan I can’t help being selfish and think, “Don’t get injured, PLEASE!!”

Now Is Not A Good Time

There is never a good time for an injury to a key player, but when you’re just over a week from the conference semi-finals, that’s really not a good time. An injury to Cucho during Columbia’s World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Paraguay would be devastating to the Crew’s chances against Orlando on November 25th.  Although he did not score in the deciding match with Atlanta United, he has carried the team offensively over the last few months.

Russell-Rowe may not have nearly as big of a role with the Crew as Cucho, but he still provides quality depth. In 21 appearances (four starts) during the regular season, he scored four goals and added three assists. The 21-year-old will represent Canada in a Concacaf Nations League home-and-home series with Jamaica. The second of those games will be played in Russell-Rowe’s hometown of Toronto.  

On the one hand, I want both to play so we can see how they fare in international competition. On the other hand, I want them to sit for both games. Most of all, I don’t want to see either get injured.

Hey, What About Those Other Two?

After making appearances for the U.S. Olympic team in October, Patrick Schulte and Aidan Morris did not receive invites to this month’s camp in Paris. Considering how well each played in last month’s games, I wouldn’t read too much into this. Only 20 players were invited to the camp and there is still a long way to go until the final roster is named. At least we don’t have to worry about them being injured.

If you want to watch the Crew’s international callups, Cucho plays today and again on Tuesday. The first of Russell-Rowe’s games with Canada is on the 17th and he’ll play again on the 21st.