It’s no secret that Kei Kamara has had a rough week. Everyone’s aware of the situation(s) that led to his trade to the New England Revolution. I think it’s important to look back at the good times, a player that has been truly brilliant at every stop of his career. And he is not done yet.
This enigmatic talisman is, after all, the star that brought Crew SC to the brink of a championship last season. Whether the team will have the opportunity again in 2016, certainly remains to be seen.
Note: The photos throughout this feature come from his past two seasons in Columbus and don’t necessarily constitute chronological order. Our team of incredible photographers have captured some great moments of Kamara in action.
Welcome to MLS (2006-2007
Kamara’s first go-around with Columbus was rather uneventful to be honest. While he quickly became a fan favorite (as he has at every step in his career), he only played in 36 games, making 13 starts and scoring five goals. Much better things were to come.
Growing as a Player (2008-2009)
The Sierra Leone native split the 2008 season between the San Jose Earthquakes and Houston Dynamo. He played in a total of 22 games, making 17 starts and contributing four goals. The 2009 season was split between the Dynamo and the Kansas City Wizards. He would see his games (28), starts (24), minutes (2177), and goals (6) rise. This year would prove to be the start of something special, a turning point so to speak.
A Star is Born, aka the Kansas City Years (2010-2013)
Kamara would be a star in Kansas City, spending another four full seasons there. He would grow into one of the league’s top playmakers, registering 37 goals and 20 assists from 2010-2013.
Across the Pond (2013-2014)
Success during the Kansas City years helped Kamara earn international attention. Prior to the 2013 MLS season, Kamara was signed on loan from Sporting Kansas City by EPL side Norwich City. He appeared in 11 games for the club, scoring one goal. He was permanently transferred to Championship side Middlesbrough in September 2013, where he made 25 appearances.
The International (2008-2014)
Representing his country was obviously a major moment in his career and he did so with great skill and passion. Kamara has made a total of 24 appearances for the Sierra Leone national team, scoring four goals and also serving as captain. His debut came during 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on June 14, 2008 against South Africa. He scored his first goals for his country with a brace during 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification against Sao Tome and Principe on June 16, 2012. He also appeared in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification fixtures, scoring another goal for Sierra Leone on June 8, 2013 against Tunisia.
Coming Home to Columbus (2015)
Kamara’s return to the capital of Ohio in 2015 couldn’t have gone any better. He registered a flurry of goals (22) and assists (8) over 32 appearances and almost single-handedly led Crew SC to a title. A rough championship match for nearly everyone involved with Crew SC was the only thing that kept Kamara from lifting a trophy and giving the city yet another champion.
High Expectations (2016)
To say expectations were high in 2016 for Crew SC is a massive understatement. Everything seemed to be in place for a return to contending for a title, but the parity of the MLS had other things in store for Columbus. Crew SC currently sit at ninth place in the Eastern Conference with just nine points from nine games. A home record of 2-1-1 is certainly respectable, but their road form (0-3-2) has been woeful. Pundits, media members, and even some supporters have been quick to pass the blame, but Kamara still had five goals and is still widely regarded as one of the league’s deadliest strikers. After all his trade to New England did bring in a Herschel Walker-esque haul for Columbus.
So what’s the future for Columbus Crew SC without Kei Kamara? How will Kamara do as a Rev? Only time will tell, but history tells us that Columbus will rebound and Kamara will be successful. Those two things are certainties even in a wide-open league like MLS.
A bit of a disclaimer from the author….I completely get that club is more important than player and that no one should jeopardize chemistry in the locker room, but I still count Kamara as one of my favorites to ever don the Black & Gold. His energy, flair, and creativity on the pitch is that of legends. He joins an amazing group that generations of supporters will speak about, joining the likes of McBride, Friedel, Hejduk, and Schelotto in Columbus sporting lore.
