A series of serious injuries have taken their toll on the Columbus Crew.
After centerback Julius James required surgery for a collapsed lung last week and remains out indefinitely as he recovers, Columbus learned that No. 1 goalkeeper William Hesmer will need to miss at least the next six months after undergoing microfracture surgery on his hip.
Hesmer had not played at all this season, with Andy Gruenebaum taking the reins in goal while Hesmer battled injury. Gruenebaum will be the starter for the foreseeable future, while Homegrown goalkeeper Matt Lampson, who signed with the club out of Ohio State University during the offseason, will become the entrenched backup barring a veteran signing.
In addition to Hesmer's injury, backup forward Tommy Heinemann could be out for an entire calendar year after undergoing microfracture surgery on his left knee. Heinemann made one appearance this season, and scored three goals last year after joining the Crew from the Charleston Battery.
What do you think of these developments? Do you think the Crew has the depth to combat these injuries?
Share your thoughts below.
Gruenebaum is probably one of the best back up goalkeepers in the league at the moment. He could be a starter. Trent – His positional issues will be fixed as he gets more playing time. Also, while Heinemann always goes 100%, he does not add too much to the technical part of the game, so the Crew should not miss him too much, unless they get hit by more injuries.
Hate to see Hesmer out for 6 months but as a fellow Kentucky grad, it’s nice to see one of our own backstopping the Crew while he’s out. Gruenebaum may not be a world beater but he’s certainly able to hold the fort down while Hesmer recovers. The Lampson kid is supposedly pretty good so the Crew should be fine in the goalkeeping department.
Gruenebaum is awful. If he could learn positioning it would fix a lot of his stupid mistakes that he makes like balls bouncing over his head. He is the guy who got scored on from about 80 yards out by NY’s backup keeper. We need Friedel to come back.
What a couple of crazy injuries for the Crew. I’ve never heard of microfracture surgery on a hip. Good luck to Hesmer.
Crew were looking decent early, but I’d say they are still rebuilding, I have a lot of doubts they can keep up if the injuries continue.
LAMPSON IS THE MAN! GIVE HIM SOME TIME!