Columbus Crew fans were shocked on Wednesday night to see defender and captain Jonathan Mensah absent from the starting 11 for the club’s 2-2 draw with Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions League. Homegrown center back Aboubacar Keita got the nod for Mensah alongside Josh Williams while Lucas Zelarayan wore the captain’s armband for the first time in his Crew career.
Head coach Caleb Porter was expected to provide insight into Mensah following the game but instead spoke for six and a half mintues, venting about frustrating referee decisions, before departing his postgame press conference without taking questions.