Crew trades top scorer Kei Kamara

The Columbus Crew made one of its most high-profile trades in the history of the team this morning, exchanging popular striker Kei Kamara to the New England Revolution.

In return, the Crew will receive a combination of targeted allocation money, general allocation money, a first-round draft pick in 2017, a second-round pick in 2018, an international roster spot and a percentage of any future transfer money paid for Kamara if he leaves to play outside of MLS.

Kamara helped lead the Crew to an MLS Cup final and was tied for the league’s top scorer, with 22 goals.

The trade comes only a few weeks after Kamara was named a designated player for the Crew, meaning he can be paid more than the league’s salary cap, about $1 million a season in Kamara’s case.

It also comes five days after his feud with fellow team member Federico Higuain went public in the form of an on-field argument. Kamara was suspended and fined for his comments.

Coach Gregg Berhalter indicated the trade was made to preserve the culture of the team.

“One person isn’t bigger than the soccer club,” Berhalter said.

5/11/16: Rift between Crew’s top players could mean trades for both

Trades might be in the works for two of the Columbus Crew’s star players after their dislike of one another went public following a game last Saturday.

After the Crew squandered a 4-1 lead against the Montreal Impact, settling for a 4-4 tie, striker Kei Kamara lashed out against midfielder Federico Higuain, saying he has never depended on the midfielder to help him score during the run of play.

Coach Gregg Berhalter suspended Kamara for one game in response to his comments, calling them “unacceptable.”

Kamara, however, is unrepentant, and stuck by everything he said in a news conference.

An insider source said that other teams have inquired about the availability of both players, neither of whom have “no-trade” clauses in their contracts.

Kamara said he was “looking forward to a future” with the Crew, but he was unsurprised his name was included in trade talks.

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