Columbus Crew striker out for season with knee injury

Wessam Abou Ali will miss remainder of 2026 campaign after tearing ACL and meniscus.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 1:14pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a soccer player's knee in multiple overlapping perspectives, using shades of blue, green, and red to convey the complex nature of the injury.The loss of a key Designated Player to a season-ending knee injury forces the Columbus Crew to rethink their roster and strategy.Columbus Today

Columbus Crew striker Wessam Abou Ali will miss the rest of the 2026 MLS season after suffering a torn ACL and meniscus damage in his right knee during a match against Orlando City on Sunday. The 27-year-old Palestinian international is one of the Crew's three Designated Players and was a key offensive contributor, scoring 5 goals in 7 games this year.

Why it matters

Abou Ali's injury is a significant blow to the Crew's playoff hopes, as he was one of their most productive attackers. The loss of a Designated Player for an extended period can have major implications on a team's salary cap and roster construction as they try to replace his production.

The details

Abou Ali, who joined the Crew in a $7.5 million transfer from Egyptian club Al Ahly in 2025, suffered the knee injury during the team's 1-1 draw with Orlando City on Sunday night. The club announced on Tuesday morning that he will miss the remainder of the 2026 MLS season.

  • Abou Ali was injured on Sunday, April 13, 2026 during a match against Orlando City.
  • The Crew announced Abou Ali's season-ending injury on Tuesday, April 15, 2026.

The players

Wessam Abou Ali

A 27-year-old striker and Designated Player for the Columbus Crew who was acquired from Egyptian club Al Ahly in 2025 for a reported $7.5 million fee.

Diego Rossi

One of the Columbus Crew's three Designated Players, along with Abou Ali and Dániel Gazdag.

Dániel Gazdag

One of the Columbus Crew's three Designated Players, along with Abou Ali and Diego Rossi.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Wessam's injury is a big loss for our team, but we will rally around each other and find a way to overcome this challenge.”

— Caleb Porter, Head Coach, Columbus Crew

What’s next

The Crew will need to explore options to replace Abou Ali's production, either through trades, free agent signings, or promoting from within their roster. They will also need to manage their salary cap situation with the loss of a Designated Player for the season.

The takeaway

Abou Ali's season-ending knee injury is a significant setback for the Columbus Crew, who will have to find a way to replace the offensive production of one of their top Designated Players as they push for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.