OBETZ, Ohio — The Columbus Crew could head into Sunday's match against Montreal without their star man, as forward Federico Higuaín works to recover from a left calf contusion.
The Argentine is listed as questionable but did travel with the team and will likely be a game-day decision by head coach Robert Warzycha, who usually won't take a player on the road unless he is certain he can contribute at least a few minutes.
If Higuaín does not start it could pave the way for forward Jairo Arrieta to return to the starting lineup. Dominic Oduro made his second straight start up top last week vs. Philadelphia after he replaced Arrieta on March 23 at D.C. United while the Costa Rican was on national team duty.
MATCH PREVIEW: Montreal vs. Columbus (Sunday, noon ET; TSN2/RDS2, MLS Live in US)
Starting Arrieta in the absence of Higuaín could also mean that Oduro would play on the right flank with Ben Speas on the other side while Eddie Gaven moves into Higuaín's spot.
Oduro, who scored his second goal of the season against the Union, said he is happy wherever Warzycha plays him but that he has taken a liking to being a forward.
"It was really comfortable for me," he said. "I think the whole game I was a threat to the defenders, which was the strategy we were looking for."
MLS FANTASY: Who's in, who's out this weekend?
No matter the lineup, the Crew (2-1-2) have a stern test against the Eastern Conference leaders (4-1-0) in Stade Saputo.
"We played them down in Florida [during the preseason] and you could tell it's a team that knocks the ball around," defender Chad Marshall said. "They've got quality at every position."
