Columbus Crew midfielder Lucas Zelarayan expects large things from the 2022 Major League Soccer season, targeting playoffs and the championship instantly off the bat.
Since his arrival from Liga MX side Tigres UANL in 2019, the Designated Player has led Columbus to 2 trophies and earned an MLS Cup MVP name for himself. But the midfielder insists it’s not enough.
“I think any time the season starts, you begin with excessive hopes,” Zelarayan stated thru a translator all through 2022 preseason arrangements. “We desire that it’s a tremendous yr and we are able to attain our objectives, that is achieving the playoffs and preventing for a championship. We will paintings until we will raise the call of Columbus.”
Columbus Crew head educate Caleb Porter additionally sees high-quality things with Zelarayan at the roster.
“Part of the equation is wherein can Lucas be effective inside our crew,” Porter said. “Because we need him to be effective whilst he plays as a way to have the quality risk to win. So all that [has gone] into the equation of searching at shifting his role, now not that we’ll do it every game. But we need to be flexible tactically, like I said. Don’t get me incorrect, Lucas Zelarayan is going to be a key player for us.”
The Designated Player has recorded 18 goals and eleven assists across 48 regular-season games for Columbus, prompting the crew to provide a agreement extension. He will now remain as a DP via the 2024 season, with an choice for 2025.
“It’s a club that has dealt with me extremely good from the very first minutes and I experience cushty right here,” Zelarayan said. “My family and I, we both just like the city. I like my teammates, the education center, the brand new stadium and there’s loads of things that made me need to stay right here. So I’m glad that I renewed.
"As I cited before, I virtually hope to retain to gain massive matters with this club.”
Columbus returns to action on February 26 whilst hosting the Vancouver Whitecaps at Lower.Com Field to their 2022 MLS season opener.
