Gregg Berhalter addresses Kamara-Higuain rift, doesn't rule out move

Crew SC head coach Gregg Berhalter has addressed star striker Kei Kamara’s public bashing of fellow Designated Player Federico Higuain following Saturday's 4-4 draw against the Montreal Impact, not ruling out moving either player in comments made to The Columbus Dispatch reporter Shawn Mitchell in a story published on Monday.


“We’re going to do what we feel is best for the team to be successful, whatever that may be,” Berhalter said. “And we’re going to take some time to evaluate it.”


“With any player, we care for each and every one of these guys. Decisions like that are never easy. It’s something we will consider very carefully. And again, the ultimate [factor] will be "what’s in the best interest of this football club?"

Kamara blasted Higuain after Saturday’s match for taking a 53rd minute penalty kick that, if converted, would’ve given Kamara his first career hat trick. Higuain successfully put away the spot kick to give Crew SC a 4-1 lead, but Montreal stormed back with three goals in the final 33 minutes to leave MAPFRE Stadium with a draw – keeping the 2-4-3 Crew SC ninth in the Eastern Conference.


Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl reported on Tuesday that Crew SC are currently trying to move Kamara before the MLS primary transfer and trade window closes at 1 am ET on Thursday morning.

But Berhalter, in addressing the rift between his two DPs, told Mitchell Sunday that he thinks the duo can figure out their issues and return to achieving both individual and team success on the field.


“Listen, I think yesterday it certainly came to a head. But when you think about the year-and-a-half they’ve been playing together, there has been a lot of productivity out of all those guys. So it certainly can [be healed].”