MLS Columbus Crew SC

Columbus Crew SC Acquires Central Midfielder Fatai Alashe in Trade with FC Cincinnati

Published on August 17, 2020 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


COLUMBUS - Columbus Crew SC today announced that the club has acquired midfielder Fatai Alashe (pronounced: fuh-TIE uh-LAH-shay) via a trade with FC Cincinnati in exchange for a Second Round Pick in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft. Should Alashe meet certain performance conditions, FC Cincinnati would instead receive $50,000 of General Allocation Money (GAM) for the 2021 MLS season from the Crew. Alashe, 26, is a six-year Major League Soccer veteran who has made 99 regular-season appearances in the League (73 starts).

"We would like to welcome Fatai Alashe to Columbus Crew SC," said Crew SC President and General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. "Fatai brings a half a dozen years of experience in MLS at just 26 and we believe he is a player who will help increase our depth in the center of the pitch and will add to the competition at the central midfield position. We are excited to incorporate him into the team and look forward to seeing his contributions as we prepare for the continuance of the MLS regular season this week."

Alashe joined FC Cincinnati ahead of the 2018 MLS season. During his time in Cincinnati, the midfielder made 14 regular-season appearances (four starts) while scoring one goal. Before joining FC Cincinnati, Alashe played for the San Jose Earthquakes from 2015-2018 after being selected by the Earthquakes in the First Round of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. In San Jose Alashe made 85 regular-season appearances (69 starts) while scoring five goals and providing three assists.

At the collegiate level, Alashe played for Michigan State from 2011-2014, making 85 appearances (69 starts) registering 14 goals and 15 assists for the Spartans. During his tenure in East Lansing, the midfielder was named to the following Best XI teams: Big Ten All-Freshman Team (2011), Big Ten All-Tournament Team (2013), NSCAA All-American Second Team (2014) and the All-Midwest Region Team (2014).

Internationally, Alashe represented the U.S. Men's National Team at the Under-23 level, making 10 appearances and scoring two goals.

The Black & Gold are set to resume the 2020 MLS regular season at MAPFRE Stadium as part of Phase One of the continuation of play schedule against the Chicago Fire this Thursday, August 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET. [FOX Sports Ohio, FOX Sports GO (Stream) / 97.1 The Fan & 971TheFan.com (English), ColumbusCrewSC.com (Spanish)].

TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew SC acquires midfielder Fatai Alashe via a trade with FC Cincinnati in exchange for a Second Round Pick in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft. Should Alashe meet certain performance conditions, FC Cincinnati would instead receive $50,000 of General Allocation Money (GAM) for the 2021 MLS season from the Crew. The transaction was announced on August 17, 2020.

Name: Fatai Alashe (fuh-TIE uh-LAH-shay)

Position: Midfielder

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 175

Born: October 21, 1993 in Southfield, Michigan

Hometown: Northville, Michigan

Citizenship: United States

Acquired: Acquired by Crew SC via a trade with FC Cincinnati on August 17, 2020 via a trade with FC Cincinnati in exchange for a Second Round Pick in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft. Should Alashe meet certain performance conditions, FC Cincinnati would instead receive $50,000 of General Allocation Money (GAM) for the 2021 MLS season from the Crew.

Previous Experience: FC Cincinnati (2018-2020), San Jose Earthquakes (2015-2018)

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Major League Soccer Stories from August 17, 2020


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