The Columbus Crew today announced that midfielder Justin Meram is set to become the first player in Major League Soccer history to earn an international call-up with the Iraq National Team. The Crew winger is set to depart today from New England to Saudi Arabia as Iraq is slated to play in the 2014 Gulf Cup of Nations. On Head Coach Hakeem Shaker’s side, Meram and Iraq are scheduled to play group stage matches in the tournament against Kuwait on November 14, against Oman on November 17 and the United Arab Emirates on November 20.
This is the first call-up for the Shelby Township, Michigan-born Meram, who now holds dual citizenship through his parents, both from Iraq.
The 25-year-old had a successful fourth campaign with the Black & Gold in 2014. In the regular season, Meram made a career-high 32 appearances – including 19 starts – in the midfield and scored eight goals while assisting on four others, career-bests in both categories as well. The University of Michigan graduate – and the Crew’s 15th overall selection in the First Round of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft – finished third on the club in regular-season goal-scoring in 2014 behind Ethan Finlay and Federico Higuain (11 goals each). Meram added his first postseason goal in the first leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New England Revolution on November 1 at Crew Stadium.
