Trade with Orlando brings Meram back to Crew
Six months after he was traded to Orlando City, Justin Meram is headed back to Crew SC.
The Crew acquired the 29-year-old wing for $750,000 in targeted allocation money and a 2019 international roster slot, a source told The Dispatch on Thursday night.
A trade has not yet been announced, but paperwork has been filed with MLS, a source said.
The trade means Orlando received $300,000 in allocation money below what it paid out to the Crew for Meram in January. The Crew received $750,000 in targeted allocation money, $300,000 in general allocation money and a 2019 international roster slot for Meram on Jan. 28.
MLSSoccer.com was first to report the terms of the trade.
Meram, who scored 37 goals and provided Justin Meram, left, has totaled 37 goals and 33 assists in seven seasons with the Crew.
33 assists in seven seasons with the Crew, has not been able to find the same traction with his second MLS team, logging just one goal and three assists in 17 appearances this season.
Amid reports that he was potentially on the move, Meram did not train with Orlando City last week, but he was back in training with the team as of Thursday morning, according to reports
out of Orlando. Meram has not played for Orlando since July 7 and did not make the trip to Mapfre Stadium for Orlando’s loss to the Crew on July 21.
The Crew’s production from the wide attacking midfield position has not been the same without Meram. Mike Grella, on April 28, was the last wing with a goal. Grella, Pedro Santos, Cristian Martinez, Niko Hansen and Luis Argudo have combined for just two goals this season.
Meram, who scored 13 goals and added seven assists last season, signed a multiyear extension with the Crew last March. He then asked for a trade after the 2017 season because he wanted a new opportunity and because of the Crew’s potential relocation to Austin, Texas, after the 2018 season.
The Crew traded forward Ola Kamara to the Los Angeles Galaxy on Jan. 19, but had not completed a deal for Meram when training camp started. He arrived at training camp, despite his trade request, and traveled to Casa Grande, Arizona, with the team before the trade was completed.
“I know my scenario is very different because of how much respect I have for this club and this coaching staff,” Meram said at the open of training camp, when asked about other players who had requested trades not reporting. “So, for me, it was right for me to be here and to train and take it one day at a time.”
The Crew selected Meram out of Michigan with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2011 SuperDraft. It’s not immediately clear when he will play, but the Crew has the benefit of a bye weekend and does not play again until Aug. 11 against Houston at Mapfre Stadium.
The possibility remains open of the Crew adding an international attacking player before the close on Aug. 8 of the MLS secondary transfer window.