We asked goalkeeper Eloy Room to pick his own five-a-side team consisting of players he's either played with or against during his career, plus one current Crew SC player.
Guram Kashia (Defender, San Jose Earthquakes)
Background: Kashia is a Georgian player who overlapped with Room while both were playing at SBV Vitesse in the Netherlands. Kashia now plays in Major League Soccer after being acquired by the San Jose Earthquakes in June of 2018.
Eloy's Explanation: "Yeah, he was my captain. I played with him for 5 or 6 years, so I know him really well. So I need him on my team...He moved 2 or 3 years ago to [San Jose] so I knew already he was playing in the MLS...and he told me to come. It was nice to see a familiar face."
Sadio Mané (Forward, Liverpool FC)
Background: Simply, Mané is on the shortlist of the world's best players. The 2019 African Footballer of the Year and Liverpool winger played against Room in Europa League qualifying while Mané was with Southampton FC and Room at Vitesse.
Eloy's Explanation: "Yes, I played against him in the Europa League...He was unbelievable already in that game. He wasn’t that famous like he is now. He was killing us. He scored one time against me, so that’s not too bad. He was a really good player already, so it was nice to see."
Marco Van Ginkel (Midfielder, Chelsea FC)
Background: Van Ginkel is currently a central midfielder for Chelsea, and came up through the youth ranks at Vitesse alongside Room before transferring to the Premier League in 2013.
Eloy's Explanation: "I played all youth with him. He was a friend of mine outside of the pitch. He was an easy choice."
Darlington Nagbe (Midfielder, Crew SC)
Background: An opponent turned teammate of Room's from 2019 to 2020, all the background information that's needed is "two-time MLS Cup champion."
Eloy's Explanation: "He’s unbelievable – good with the ball. He’s just such a good player on the ball. I like players like him. He’s got a bit of Dutch style of play."
Luuk de Jong (Forward, Sevilla FC)
Background: Room and de Jong crossed paths back in their youth days, but the two also played together while de Jong and Room were at PSV Eindhoven.
Eloy's Explanation: "Yes, I played with him at PSV and I knew him from youth. He’s a familiar face and a good friend of mine. He’s a really good striker and a good leader. He was a captain at PSV and he’s a captain at Sevilla. He’s really good on the field and goes for the balls. He’s really strong in the air."
