When reports late last year the Columbus Crew could soon relocate to Austin, Texas, Justin Meram began weighing hire future with the club.
Concerns about the Crew leaving Columbus helped trigger Meram’s trade to Orlando City last month, a decision he said that wasn’t easy but had to happen eventually.
“It was part of it, I’m not going to lie. I didn’t want to be part of something that might be moving to another city. [Columbus] means a lot to me, but it was time to move on,” Meram told Pro Soccer USA.
Meram understood dips in attendance and Mapfre Stadium’s distance from downtown Columbus prompted club owner Anthony Precourt seek a move to Texas, but the forward wishes club leaders explored ways to keep the Crew in Ohio.