Columbus Crew defender Jalil Anibaba joined the Black & Gold in the offseason as a free agent signing. The Crew is Anibaba’s sixth team in his 11th season in Major League Soccer and he’s brought that experience-driven leadership to Columbus. When it comes to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, he only scores bangers.
On March 30, 2011, Anibaba was a rookie center back for the Chicago Fire. Also that day, his Fire played the Colorado Rapids in a play-in match for the chance to enter the full tournament.
Entering halftime, the Fire were level at 1-1 after a 45th minute goal by Chicago forward Gaston Puerari.