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Columbus Crew SC’s Gyasi Zardes played conference semifinal with injured shoulder

NEW YORK — As Columbus Crew SC trailed the New York Red Bulls 3-1 on aggregate goals in the dying minutes of Sunday’s game, forward Gyasi Zardes took a desperate shot on goal. Goalkeeper Luis Robles dove to save it.

The attempt was a last valiant effort from Zardes, who worked for 90 minutes trying to break free of midfielder Tyler Adams and New York’s backline. He played every minute, recording just two shots, but battling through more than just the fatigue and chill of a mid-November match in New York.

Zardes also played through a separated shoulder — an injury he sustained earlier in the week. Crew SC coach Gregg Berhalter said Zardes “tore all the ligaments” in his shoulder.

“He is a warrior,” teammate Justin Meram said after the match. “For [the injury] to happen earlier in the week and then put in a shift like he did to battle against two powerful centerbacks in the league shows his love and dedication for the group and the club. You admire someone like that.”

The injury was just the latest obstacle for Zardes in a season that culminated with him being named MLS Comeback Player of the Year.

“It was another challenge I knew that I could overcome,” Zardes said. “I just tried to give it my all for this team.”

Berhalter took some blame for Zardes not finding the net Sunday, saying he utilized Zardes “too much, playing too directly through him.”

“Give Gyasi credit,” Berhalter said. “He didn’t stop and he kept battling on the entire game.”

Zardes benefited from a change in scenery with Columbus. He went from scoring just two goals with the LA Galaxy in 2017 to leading Columbus with a career-high 19 goals in the regular season.

“I played the most amount of minutes I have ever played in a single year in my career, and I think that is a great stepping stone. I just have to progress off of that,” Zardes said. “I look up to a lot of these guys in this locker room. I feed off of their energy. I am really thankful to be a part of this team. They welcomed me with open arms.”

Zardes got out of his comfort zone while also receiving the right support in the right system for him in Columbus. Zardes often played the role of the lone forward down the stretch with Federico Higuain sitting behind him and creating chances. 

The success, he said, is credited to his coaches for taking a chance on him and his teammates and family for believing in him.

“They get all of the credit for this,” he said. “Not me.”

With Columbus’ season coming to an end, Zardes already has his eyes fixated on the future.

“I want a big year next year,” Zardes said. “I want to win an MLS  Cup next year.”