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Columbus Crew SC

Columbus Crew SC: Pedro Santos injury status uncertain for Red Bulls semifinal

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Columbus Crew SC pulled off the improbable Thursday night, going 120 minutes with one of Major League Soccer’s hottest clubs, D.C. United, and besting them in penalty kicks.

With 2-2 (3-2) victory, the Crew move on in the MLS Playoffs and will host the top-seeded New York Red Bulls on Sunday. But the Crew may have to play that match with one of their starting midfielders.

Pedro Santos had to be carried off the field in a stretcher Thursday evening at Audi Field, suffering what appeared to be an injury to his right leg. Adding insult to injury, the Portuguese designated player left the field while the sound of boos from D.C. United’s fans echoed across the bleachers.

When asked about Santos’ status heading into the weekend, Crew head coach Gregg Berhalter didn’t know much other than Santos’ leg looked pretty ugly.

“I don’t know. It’s bad. It looks bad, at least,” Berhalter said. “It’s cut marks all over his ankle.”

Santos went down in the 107th minute, right near the middle of the field, after an attempt at a tackle from D.C. United’s Yamil Asad. Play was halted for about four minutes as trainers, his teammates and officials tended to him. Hector Jimenez subbed on in relief.

Santos, 30, has appeared in 31 matches with the Crew this season, tallying one goal and seven assists. He has spent most of his professional soccer career playing for clubs in his native country, but joined the Crew in Aug. 2017.

While Santos didn’t score or assist Thursday night, he did have an impact on the game. The winger had three tackles, drew three fouls, tallied a clearance, an interception and a key pass, won three corners and completed 36 passes.

Santos also released a rocket of a shot in the 85th minute that was just barely slapped away by the fingertips of an outstretched Bill Hamid.

After the match, Santos was seen on crutches in the locker room. In a photo posted to the team’s Twitter account, he had his right calf wrapped in yellow tape.

Justin Meram, who played on the opposite wing Thursday night, was subbed out in the 62nd minute. He said he wasn’t expecting to come out so soon, but with Santos potentially being out, it could be a blessing in disguise as Meram will be a bit fresher to play more minutes against a feisty Red Bulls side.

“I felt alright, but maybe it was a good sign to keep me fresh for the next game,” Meram said. “Pedro might be out, he might be in, it doesn’t matter. It’s next man in mentality. Everyone has got to be ready and prepared and ready to focus on our game plan. We need to bring the energy, because New York is definitely going to come in and they’re the big dogs, the Supporters’ Shield winners. We have something to prove on our homefield.”