The Columbus Crew found themselves without Wessam Abou Ali for the last 16 minutes of the first half after the Palestinian striker was stretchered off with an apparent knee injury.

Abou Ali suffered the injury first in the 22nd minute as he attempted to disposses Brian Ojeda from the ball in the Crew’s attacking third. The striker went down clutching his right knee in agonizing pain after not making contact with the Lions midfielder.

After being tended to by the medical staff, Abou Ali was seen doing stretches and jogs in front of the Crew bench, while in communication with head coach Henrik Rydström and the athletic training staff. He soon returned to the pitch, favoring his right knee as the game progressed on.

Abou Ali went down again in the 32nd minute on a no-contact run inside the penalty area, this time motioning for Columbus to use a substitution window. He was soon stretchered off and taken down the away tunnel, visibly upset.

The injury is eerily similar to his last year after he was forced out of the match against Toronto FC. After being injured, he returned to the match and was soon replaced in the first half after injuring himself again.

So far this season, Abou Ali has registered five goals and one assist in seven matches, playing just above 500+ minutes for the Black & Gold.

Editor’s Note: This is an ongoing story. It will be updated once more information becomes available.