Photo by David Bernal/ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
In his few weeks in charge, Gregg Berhalter has had no real qualms with parting ways with veteran players from the Columbus Crew.
Jairo Arrieta will not share that fate.
The Crew announced on Wednesday that they signed the 30-year-old Arrieta to a new deal that will bring him back to the club for a third season. Arrieta has spent the past two years in Columbus, scoring a combined 12 goals and delivering eight assists.
“We are pleased to welcome Jairo back to the club. He’s an extremely hard-working player and a dedicated teammate,” said Berhalter, the Crew’s new head coach and sporting director. “As he’s shown throughout his time in Columbus, Jairo has the talent to score goals and we look forward to his continued contributions in 2014.”
Arrieta had a bit of a disappointing season in 2013. After having a strong initial campaign in MLS in 2012 with nine goals and four assists in 18 matches, the Costa Rican international scored just three times in 26 games (21 starts) for a Columbus team that fell shy of reaching the playoffs.
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What do you think of Arrieta returning to the Crew? Do you see him bouncing back under Berhalter? Think Arrieta will be a starter?
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