Where are they now: Eloy Room

We’re in the middle of January and still have a while until the Crew kicks off its 2024 season and there isn’t anything going on with player signings that we haven’t already talked about here. This might be a good time for a series of articles on what is going on with a few former Crew players. Let’s start with goalkeeper Eloy Room.

Room joined the Crew on a free transfer after his contract ran out with Dutch club PSV in 2019. He would make 96 appearances for the Crew and helped lead them to the MLS Cup title in 2020. He appeared in just three games for the club at the beginning of the 2023 season before a knee injury sidelined him. Once Patrick Schulte had entrenched himself as the Crew’s top goalkeeper, Room and the club mutually decided to part ways. Shortly after, he signed a two-year deal with Vitesse, his longtime former club in Eredivisie, the top league of Dutch football.

So far this season, Room has performed admirably for a team that is at the bottom of their league standings. Vitesse has just three wins and three draws in 17 matches to this point and currently sit below the relegation line. Room has started all of their matches and has conceded just 36 goals, while turning in three clean sheets, but he’s been very busy. He’s made 76 saves and faces 6-7 shots on target each game. Despite Room’s best efforts, unless the anemic offense of Vitesse improves greatly (only 12 goals), they are all but assured of relegation.

If Vitesse does get relegated, the nearly 35-year-old Room has given no indication of what he may do. Although a Dutch national, he has played internationally for Curacao and has 46 caps.