Columbus Crew SC today announced that defender Chad Barson as well as midfielders Cristian Martinez and Rodrigo Saravia have been loaned to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on a game-by-game basis. Per the Right of Recall incorporated in each of the loan agreements, Crew SC retains the right to recall the players at any point, subject to MLS roster compliance guidelines.
Barson, a Homegrown Player, is set to join the Riverhounds for the second time this season after starting for the club on April 30 at Charleston. He has made five appearances (two starts) for Columbus this season, starting at Philadelphia on June 1 and at New England on July 9.
Martinez officially joined Crew SC on May 17, 2016 when he was acquired on-loan from Panamanian club Chorrillo FC. He has made two appearances for the Black & Gold, including on June 1 at Philadelphia when he scored his first career MLS goal. In doing so, he set the all-time Crew SC record for youngest regular-season goal-scorer at 19 years, 116 days old.
Saravia was Columbus’ First Round selection (19th overall) in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. He has made eight appearances (one start) for the Black & Gold in his rookie season, with six coming at central midfield and two at centerback. He notched his first MLS start on May 28 against Real Salt Lake, playing 90 minutes in central defense as part of a winning effort at MAPFRE Stadium.
HOW TO WATCH: #MTLvPGH
Pittsburgh next plays at FC Montreal this evening (7:00 p.m. ET) while Columbus returns to the pitch on Saturday when it hosts New York City FC in a match presented by Big Lots (7:30 p.m. ET / The CW Columbus, Time Warner Cable SportsChannel, BCSN2, CD102.5 FM, La Mega 103.1 FM, English radio stream available on ColumbusCrewSC.com).
TICKETS: #CLBvNYC
TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew SC loans Chad Barson, Cristian Martinez and Rodrigo Saravia to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on a game-by-game basis on August 10, 2016.
