Crew SC will take a shorthanded lineup into Saturday’s game against the L.A. Galaxy because of national team duty for four players, including three regulars.
Midfielders Justin Meram (Iraq), Tony Tchani (Cameroon) and Rodrigo Saravia (Guatemala) and fullback Harrison Afful (Ghana) are expected to miss the game in Los Angeles after getting called up to their respective national teams.
It’s a significant blow to the Crew, fighting to stay in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Crew midfield is the chief source of concern. Meram and Tchani are regulars. Meanwhile, holding midfielder Wil Trapp left Saturday’s 2-0 win over San Jose with a concussion and Federico Higuain sat out the contest with inflammation with the abdominal region.