Celio Pompeu has played his last match this season for ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC because of an injury he suffered in Saturday’s 2-0 loss at FC Dallas, and Aziel Jackson appears to be leaving City SC altogether.
Multiple sources are reporting Jackson, a 22-year-old midfielder, is being sold to the Columbus Crew. City SC coach Bradley Carnell would not confirm the reports about Jackson’s status Monday afternoon.
“There’s a lot of chatter online about a lot of things,†Carnell said. “We’ll just have to move along and see how things go.â€
Jackson, a native of New York, showed plenty of potential with one goal and four assists last season.
He started the team’s first seven Major League Soccer matches this season but has only started once since for City SC (3-5-9, 18 points). He has yet to hit the scoresheet in 2024.
People are also reading…
Known for his speed, Jackson came on in the 77th minute of a 2-0 loss Saturday at FC Dallas. He played 20 minutes in a 0-0 tie with Portland on June 8.
Jackson scored his lone goal in a win over Toronto on July 8, 2023.
“No official news as of yet,†Carnell said.
City SC is reported to be receiving $650,000 in guaranteed general allocation money in return for Jackson.
Pompeu’s absence looked imminent when he was injured Saturday night in Texas, and it was confirmed Monday by the team that the 24-year-old midfielder suffered a fibula fracture and ankle dislocation.
He underwent successful surgery over the weekend at a hospital in the Dallas area and was reported by the team Monday to be facing a rehabilitation of at least nine months.
Pompeu has three goals and three assists this season.
City SC midfielder Eduard Lowen on Saturday called Pompeu’s injury, “the darkest part of the game.â€
Carnell and his players are eager to have the popular Pompeu return to ºüÀêÊÓƵ, even if he can’t get on the field.
“He always brings a smile to us in our environment,†Carnell said. “And now it’s time for payback and give him the smiles and the energy he needs right now.â€
A native of Fortaleza, Brazil, Pompeu started 15 of City’s 17 MLS matches this year.
Pompeu’s injury seemed slow the early momentum City SC had built in Saturday’s loss, which pushed City SC’s winless streak to six games.
“It’s a tough moment,†Carnell said. “We’ll help him get through this.â€