In an unexpected turn of events, the Columbus Crew found themselves without a goalkeeper during their recent match against the Seattle Sounders when Abraham Romero received a red card. Midfielder Sean Zawadzki took on the task of donning the gloves, an unfamiliar position for him. Despite his efforts, the match ended with a 4-0 victory for the Sounders.

The Crew's predicament arose due to international call-ups and limitations on the number of times a player can be elevated from the second team to the first team. With the absence of their top two goalkeepers on international duty and the third goalkeeper sidelined with an injury, the Crew faced a shortage in the crucial position.

MLS rules restricting call-ups from the second team without a first team contract compounded the issue. Although attempts were made to secure additional call-ups for a goalkeeper, the league did not grant an exception to Columbus for the match.

Head coach Wilfried Nancy expressed frustration over the situation, pointing out that the Crew had exhausted all other call-up options. The team also had to contend with multiple key players missing due to international duty.

Despite the controversy, Zawadzki stepped up to the challenge and made two saves during the match. While the Crew's loss impacted their standings, the Seahawks secured a valuable win, climbing to fifth place in the Western Conference.

The social media sphere reacted with a mix of confusion and criticism towards the Crew's handling of the goalkeeper dilemma. Fans questioned the team's decision-making process and suggested alternative solutions to avoid similar situations in the future.

The incident highlights the complexities teams face when navigating international call-ups and roster regulations. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how MLS clubs will address similar challenges moving forward.