Multiple Ghanaian sources were giving reports that Columbus Crew defender Harrison Afful was considering a bumper cash deal for “three times his current salary” in Turkey. This was a cause for concern among the black and gold faithful. Afful has been one of the best fullbacks since being signed by Crew SC during the summer transfer window. The Ghanaian international registered two assists in just nine regular season games, but his biggest impact was not in the stat books.
Afful terrorized opponents on both ends of the pitch in head coach Gregg Berhalter’s fullback friendly system. Often times Afful and Winger Ethan Finley formed sensational combinations on overlaps that scattered and confused back lines.