Kamara says focus on playoffs, not contract

Crew SC forward Ola Kamara is focused on reaching the playoffs for the first time in his Major League Soccer career.

With that in mind, he said he doesn’t concern himself with his contract negotiations with the Crew. That held true late Wednesday, he said, when an ESPN report surfaced that indicated the club had reached “an impasse” in contract talks with the 27-yearold Norwegian.

According to the report, several foreign clubs made offers to Kamara during the summer transfer window and that he “will explore” a move away from MLS after the season.

Kamara, who has scored 28 goals in 50 MLS appearances since last season, is set to earn $482,500 in guaranteed compensation this season, according to players’ union data. He is in the second of a four-year contract.

“I don’t even think about it, to be honest, because the whole time I’ve been focused on game to game, week by week,” Kamara said about the report Thursday. “I’m not talking to (coach and sporting director) Gregg (Berhalter) about contracts at all. That’s my agent and Gregg talking.”

Kamara said he is happy in Columbus for now, adding he was surprised to see how the headline of the article was worded.

“I feel like it’s just a headline that’s for stirring a little bit. For me, it’s just a headline that’s going to try to disturb (our focus) a little bit,” Kamara said. “But I don’t think it does. I don’t think anybody cares, so it’s OK.”

Addressing the report Thursday, Berhalter called Kamara a “class act.”

“He wants to perform and he wants the team to perform well. That’s our priority as well,” Berhalter said. “We want Ola here for a long time and we want to make him a big part of this club, and I think all things like that will run its course in due time.”

Kamara said his focus is on helping the Crew reach the playoffs and that contract talks will come later.

“It’s more in the end of the season you talk about it. Not your last nine games in front of a playoff run,” Kamara said. “That’s just the wrong time.”

A message left for Kamara’s agent, Oskar Olsen, was not immediately returned.

Fourth substitute

MLS announced a fourth substitute will be made available to teams for matches that reach extra time in the playoffs.

“I think any time you can introduce something fresh onto the field, it can potentially help,” Berhalter said.