Columbus Crew Signs Experienced Defender Eric Bailly The Columbus Crew has officially announced the signing of free-agent defender Eric Bailly, marking a significant addition to the club’s defensive lineup. The Ivorian international, known for his extensive experience across top European leagues, will join the team pending the completion of his P-1 Visa and international transfer certificate. Bailly’s contract with the Crew is guaranteed through June 2027, with club options for the 2027/28 and 2028/29 seasons. His signing also places him in an International Roster Slot for the Black & Gold, further solidifying his role as a key player for the club. Bailly’s career has spanned over a decade of top-tier competition, including stints in the English Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, and the Trendyol Super Lig in Turkey. Most recently, he played for Real Oviedo, where he made 16 appearances and scored one goal. Prior to that, he spent time with Beşiktaş in 2023 after a loan spell at Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille, where he featured 23 times across all competitions. His journey began with RCD Espanyol’s youth academy, from which he progressed to the senior team during the latter half of the 2014/15 season. Bailly’s professional career took a major leap when he joined Villarreal for a year and a half before moving to Manchester United for a reported 38 million Euros. At Old Trafford, he became a regular fixture, making 113 appearances for the club. During his time with United, he contributed one goal and one assist, while also playing a pivotal role in their 2016/17 Europa League-winning campaign. He made 11 appearances in that tournament and one in the EFL Cup. His contributions extended to the 2017 FA Community Shield, where he earned a full 90 minutes in United’s 2-1 victory over Leicester City.#manchester_united #columbus_crew #real_oviedo #ivory_coast #eric_bailly
Columbus Crew Acquire Free Agent Defender Eric Bailly Columbus Crew have officially signed free agent defender Eric Bailly, marking a significant addition to their roster for the 2026 season. The 32-year-old Ivorian, who most recently played for Real Oviedo in Spain, will join the club following the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa. His contract is guaranteed through June 2027, with club options for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 MLS campaigns. Bailly will occupy an international roster slot, further strengthening the Crew’s defensive depth. Crew General Manager Issa Tall expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, highlighting Bailly’s experience and leadership qualities. “His experience at the highest levels of the game, combined with his defensive quality, leadership, and composure, will strengthen our backline and have an impact on our roster,” Tall said. “Eric brings a winning mentality and valuable experience that will benefit our group both on and off the field.” The Crew aim to integrate Bailly into their squad as they push toward their goals in the second half of the 2026 season. Bailly’s professional career has spanned multiple top-tier leagues, including La Liga, the English Premier League, and Ligue 1. He joined Real Oviedo in 2025 after stints with RCD Espanyol (2014-15), Villarreal CF (2015-16 and 2023-25), Manchester United FC (2016-23), Olympique de Marseille (2022-23), and Beşiktaş (2023). His most notable achievements include winning the UEFA Europa League, EFL Cup, and FA Community Shield with Manchester United during the 2016-17 season. Bailly’s time at Manchester United was marked by consistent performances. Over seven seasons, he made 113 appearances, scoring one goal and providing one assist.#manchester_united #columbus_crew #real_oviedo #eric_bailly #issa_tall
Atlanta United vs. Columbus Crew: Everything to know for Walmart Saturday Showdown Atlanta United and Columbus Crew will clash in a pivotal Eastern Conference matchup on Saturday, April 4, as part of Matchday 6’s Walmart Saturday Showdown. The game, set for 7:30 pm ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, promises to be a critical test for both teams as they navigate the early stages of the 2026 MLS season. The match carries added significance as both clubs seek to turn their recent struggles into momentum, with the winner likely to emerge as a stronger contender in the conference race. Atlanta United, currently ranked 10th in the Eastern Conference with four points from their first five matches, has shown signs of improvement under head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino. The Colombian tactician, who previously guided the club to an MLS Cup title in 2018, took over after a disappointing 14th-place finish in the 2025 season. Martino’s return has coincided with a resurgence for the Five Stripes, who have gone undefeated in their last two games after a three-game losing streak to start the year. The team’s recent performance has been bolstered by their high-profile Designated Player trio: Miguel Almirón, Emmanuel Latte Lath, and Alexey Miranchuk. Almirón, a former Newcastle United star and club legend, played a pivotal role in Atlanta’s lone victory of the season, a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union on Matchday 4. The Uruguayan midfielder delivered his first-ever MLS hat-trick of assists, while Latte Lath, Atlanta’s record signing from Middlesbrough, and Miranchuk, the Russian international, both scored. These contributions have positioned the Five Stripes as a team with potential, though their inconsistent start to the season highlights the challenges they face.#columbus_crew #atlanta_united #mercedes_benz_stadium #gerardo_tata_martino #miguel_almirn
Former Crew players Yaw Yeboah, Derrick Jones given lifetime MLS bans for sports gambling Former Columbus Crew players Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah have been banned for life from Major League Soccer (MLS) for engaging in sports betting, the league announced. The decision followed an investigation that found both players had placed "extensive" bets on soccer matches, including wagers on their own teams, during 2024 and 2025. The players were placed on administrative leave by MLS in October for potential rule violations, though the specifics of the allegations were not disclosed at the time. The league stated that one of the key incidents involved Jones and Yeboah betting on Jones receiving a yellow card during the Crew’s game against the New York Red Bulls on October 19, 2024. Jones was indeed shown a yellow card in the 34th minute for a foul on Daniel Edelman of New York. The investigation revealed that the players had placed multiple bets on games, including matches involving their own club, which violates MLS policies on sports gambling. A statement from the Columbus Crew emphasized its commitment to upholding integrity and respect in the sport. The club condemned the actions of the players, calling them a violation of the values that define the organization and the league. "We fully condemn all actions and notions that aren’t aligned with these critical values," the statement said. The Crew also noted that they had cooperated fully with the league’s investigation but deferred all comments on the findings and disciplinary actions to MLS. Jones, who played for the Crew from 2022 to 2024, became a free agent after his contract expired and later joined Los Angeles FC. During the 2023 MLS Cup final, Yeboah scored the decisive goal in the 37th minute of the Crew’s 2-1 victory over LAFC.#major_league_soccer #derrick_jones #yaw_yeboah #columbus_crew #los_angeles_fc
Major League Soccer bans two former players for 'extensive gambling' on matches Major League Soccer has indefinitely suspended former players Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah for engaging in widespread gambling on matches, the league announced Monday. The decision follows an investigation that revealed the players bet on their own games during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, including placing wagers on specific outcomes such as Jones receiving a yellow card during an October 2024 match. The league confirmed that Jones, 29, and Yeboah, 28, were placed on administrative leave in October 2025 after receiving suspicious betting alerts from partners. Jones, who last played for the Columbus Crew in 2024 and 2025, appeared in 23 games during that period. Yeboah, a former Crew teammate, joined Los Angeles FC in 2025. The investigation found that the pair likely shared insider information with other bettors, further violating league policies. MLS Commissioner Don Garber emphasized the league’s commitment to maintaining match integrity, stating that it will continue enforcing its betting rules and advocating for the elimination of yellow card wagering in all states. The Crew issued a statement condemning the players’ actions, noting their strict adherence to MLS policies on sports gambling. The club confirmed full cooperation with the league’s investigation. This marks another instance of MLS taking disciplinary action against players for gambling violations, following the suspension of Sporting Kansas City’s Felipe Hernandez in 2021 and his subsequent contract termination in 2024 for repeated policy breaches. Gambling, particularly prop bets, has become a growing concern for North American sports leagues amid the legalization of sports betting.#major_league_soccer #derrick_jones #yaw_yeboah #don_garber #columbus_crew
