Whitecaps’ striker, Kamara, has ‘no love’ for Columbus
VANCOUVER — Striker Kei Kamara has some history in Columbus. Maybe that’s why he was sending mixed messages about his return to Mapfre Stadium when the Vancouver Whitecaps try to hand the Columbus Crew their first defeat of the Major Soccer League season today in a noon PT start. “No, no love for Columbus,” Karama said after a training session this week. “Definitely no love. I’m excited to go back and play there. There’s a lot of history.”
Kamara, who joined the Whitecaps in the off-season, had two stints in Columbus. He was selected ninth in the 2006 SuperDraft and played two seasons with the Crew before being traded to San Jose in 2008. He returned to Columbus in 2015 but had a messy exit.
In a 2016 game against Montreal, Columbus was leading 3-1 in a match where Kamara had scored twice. When the Crew were awarded a penalty kick, Kamara — who was looking for the hat-trick — and teammate Federico Higuain had an on-field dispute over who would take the shot.
Higuain, the team’s designated penalty taker, eventually scored on the play, but Montreal would rebound for a 4-4 draw.
After the game, Kamara criticized Higuain, calling him selfish. The crew suspended Kamara for his remarks and then traded him to New England.
“This is a new season,” said Kamara. “I don’t have to prove anything over there. Getting a win over there will be great.”