Justin Meram had done it all before. Walking into MAPFRE Stadium well before the kickoff of a game, heading to the home locker room to get ready and going out on to the field for warmups became routine for the winger during his first seven seasons as a professional. But then last offseason, Meram requested a trade and was sent to Orlando City SC.
While things started well in Florida, they did not end well. After playing in just 17 games with one goal and three assists — a far cry from his 13 goals and seven assists with the Black & Gold the year prior — Meram was traded back to Columbus at a discounted rate.