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Wilfried Nancy explains Columbus Crew backup GK situation, injuries, Paul Pogba chatter

Wilfried Nancy hopes that, in the future, the league will commit to not playing games during a FIFA international window. While that's typically the case, it's not so for certain rescheduled matches.

On Saturday, Columbus will play the New England Revolution during October's FIFA international window, making it the second straight month the Crew have had a game while a majority of the league had the week off. The game is the second of two that Columbus had to move after reaching the CONCACAF Champions Cup final.

Sep 7, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy in the first half against Seattle Sounders FC at Lower.com Field. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Sep 7, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy in the first half against Seattle Sounders FC at Lower.com Field. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte (United States) and Nicholas Hagen (Guatemala) have once again been called up to represent their respective national teams, possibly leaving the Crew without a backup goalkeeper for a game, just as they were in September against the Seattle Sounders.

The only way the Crew avoids this is if goalkeeper Evan Bush returns from injury.

"We got good news (Tuesday)," Nancy said. "So, he can be back to training. ... We'll see (about Saturday)."

Feb 5, 2024; Columbs, OH, USA; Columbus Crew goalkeeper Evan Bush (24) juggles a ball with his fist during preseason training at the OhioHealth Performance Center.
Feb 5, 2024; Columbs, OH, USA; Columbus Crew goalkeeper Evan Bush (24) juggles a ball with his fist during preseason training at the OhioHealth Performance Center.

Bush has been out since an April road game against Real Salt Lake while recovering from a broken arm. He was originally expected to recover by the end of July. At the end of June, via Instagram Bush announced that he broke his arm again, setting back the timeline for his return.

If Bush is available Saturday, the Crew would have Bush and goalkeeper Abraham Romero on the gameday roster.

Romero's first and only appearance for Columbus was against Seattle, when Romero was shown a red card during stoppage time in the first half. Without a backup goalkeeper, the Crew were forced to put midfielder Sean Zawadzki in goal and lost 4-0.

Nancy left the question of which player would fill in at goalkeeper in a similar situation unanswered. Zawadzki is out due to a rib injury he suffered in the Campeones Cup on Sept. 25.

Sep 7, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Crew midfielder Sean Zawadzki (25) goes for the save, but can not get the ball during the second half against the Seattle Sounders at Lower.com Field. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Sep 7, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Crew midfielder Sean Zawadzki (25) goes for the save, but can not get the ball during the second half against the Seattle Sounders at Lower.com Field. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Wilfried Nancy confirms Steven Moreira's status vs New England Revolution

Crew defender Steven Moriera usually gets called up during the international window for Cape Verde's national team. He was left off the roster this month due to an ankle injury he sustained against Inter Miami on Oct. 2.

Nancy confirmed that Moreira will also be unavailable for the Crew.

"He's still having pain," Nancy said. "He's getting better but he's not ready for this weekend."

Oct 2, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Crew defender Steven Moreira (31) fights for the ball against Inter Miami CF midfielder Diego Gomez (20) in the first half at Lower.com Field.
Oct 2, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Crew defender Steven Moreira (31) fights for the ball against Inter Miami CF midfielder Diego Gomez (20) in the first half at Lower.com Field.

What does Wilfried Nancy have to say about Paul Pogba?

Earlier this week, soccer fans took to social media to discuss French national team midfielder Paul Pogba and his ongoing situation with his current club, Serie A's Juventus FC in Italy.

In February 2024, Pogba was suspended for four years after violating Italy's anti-doping policy. On Oct. 4 the Court of Arbitration for Sport cut the suspension to 18 months; Pogba could return to the field as early as March 2025.

After that announcement, multiple reports claimed Juventus was still looking to terminate Pogba's contract. This led Crew fans to start talking (and joking) about the possibility of Pogba landing in Columbus, with one fan going so far as to share a satirical report that Pogba was in talks with the club – complete with a photo of Pogba edited to make it look as though he was in a Crew jersey.

Nancy stated that this is nothing more than rumors.

"Pogba is too expensive ... No, I'm just kidding," Nancy said. "But no, this is not true."

bmackay@dispatch.com

@brimackay15

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew's Wilfried Nancy talks GK role vs New England Revolution