COLUMBUS — The Columbus Crew announced today it will not exercise contract options on midfielder Cole Grossman, forward Olman Vargas and defender Nemanja Vukovic, who will not return for the 2013 season. All three players are not eligible for the MLS Re-entry Process and will be placed on the MLS Waiver wire, with the MLS Waiver Draft taking place at 3:30 p.m. ET this afternoon.
“We would like to thank Cole, Olman and Nemanja for their contributions during their time in Columbus,” said Crew Technical Director Brian Bliss. “We wish all three players the best of luck with their careers.”
Selected in the Second Round (No. 28 overall) of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, Grossman appeared in 12 matches, starting five, and recording one goal. He made his professional debut in the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal against Real Salt Lake on Feb. 22, 2011. He recorded his first professional goal in a 2011 U.S. Open Cup match against the Richmond Kickers (USL Pro), and tallied his first MLS goal on Aug. 19, 2012 at Houston. Grossman also appeared in 16 MLS Reserve League matches over two seasons, recording four goals and one assist.
A native of San Jose, Costa Rica, Vargas was signed on Jan. 6 2012 from Herediano. He appeared in 11 matches, starting seven, and recorded one goal in that time. He appeared in three MLS Reserve League matches recording three goals. Vargas made his first Crew appearance as a substitute on March 10 at Colorado and marked his Crew Stadium debut on March 24, vs. Montreal, with a goal.
Vukovic arrived in Columbus at the end of 2012 preseason training and was signed on March 21, 2012. The native of Podgorica, Montenegro appeared in 15 matches, starting 12, and recorded three assists. He made his debut on April 14 against Houston recording his first assist in that match. Vukovic recorded six assists in eight games played in the 2012 MLS Reserve League.
