ALEXANDRU MATAN NEWS

Assists equalizer, misses penalty Matan assisted once to go with one shot (one on goal), three crosses (two accurate) and two corners in Sunday's 2-2 (7-6) penalty shootout loss to New York Red Bulls.

Impact Matan gave Columbus life Sunday as his corner kick in the 96th minute connected with Christian Ramirez and the pair tied the match at 2-2. However, Matan took Columbus' seventh penalty with the shootout tied 4-4, had his shot saved and then Red Bulls eliminated Columbus with the ensuing kick. It was a rough moment for Matan after being a major reason why Columbus forced penalties in the first place. Matan's season has now come to an end, and it was a slightly disappointing one. After starting 33 of 37 matches last season and recording 11 goal contributions, Matan started just 18 matches (30 total appearances) this season and scored four goals to go along with three assists.

NOVEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Matan leads the Columbus Crew against the New York Red Bulls

Alexandru Matan leads the Columbus Crew into a matchup with the New York Red Bulls after scoring three goals against the New England Revolution

OCTOBER 18, 2024 • Associated Press

Scores hat trick Saturday Matan scored three goals to go with four shots (four on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and three chances created in Saturday's 4-0 victory versus New England Revolution.

Impact Matan came into Saturday with one goal in 26 matches and left the match with a hat trick. Two of his goals came in a nine-minute stretch in the second half. He finished the match with four shots (all on target) and he also created three chances. He was subbed off in the 74th minute for Yaw Yeboah.

OCTOBER 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Registers assist Matan assisted once to go with zero corners and two chances created in Saturday's 4-2 victory against New York City FC.

Impact Matan logged in his second assist of the season to add on to his one goal in 19 appearances. He's only started in 10 of those games, totaling 16 crosses, 15 tackles and 15 chances created in that span.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Goal and assist off bench Matan scored one goal and assisted once from two shots and one chance created in Saturday's 5-1 victory against Los Angeles Football Club.

Impact Matan came into Saturday's match with zero goal contributions in 14 appearances. Despite being subbed on in the 82nd minute, he finished the night with a goal and an assist. His free kick in the 84th minute was guided into the back of the net by Christian Ramirez's head, and then Matan scored in the 89th minute off a Darlington Nagbe assist. After a very poor start to the season, this performance could give Matan confidence for the second half of the season.

JULY 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Poor form continues Alexandru Matan had one cross (zero accurate) and one chance created in Wednesday's 2-1 loss to Inter Miami CF.

Impact Matan is still looking for his first goal contribution of 2024 after yet another disappointing showing. The attacking midfielder has been given chances in the starting XI, but has failed to produce in any significant way. Matan will hope to bounce back quickly to get anywhere near the 11 goal contributions he managed in 2023.

JUNE 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Appears off bench Matan (thigh) came off the bench during extra time during Tuesday's 1-1 win over Tigres during the CCL quarterfinals.

Impact Matan has been out of action for the last month with a thigh injury. He will look to return to the starting XI in the attacking midfield, though will have to compete with Marino Hinestroza for that role. During the 2023 campaign, Matan made 33 starts in 37 appearances, scoring twice while assisting nine times.

APRIL 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out once again Matan (thigh) is out for Saturday's match against D.C. United.

Impact Matan is still on the sidelines despite the slight chance of being an option after being listed as questionable, missing his fifth straight contest due to a thigh issue. The attacker will now look for a return in the club's next match after his rise in fitness this week, hoping to be an option to face Real Salt Lake on April 13.

APRIL 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Could play Saturday Matan (thigh) could be an option for Saturday's match against D.C. United, as he is listed as questionable on the availability report.

Impact Matan looks to possibly be making his return a week earlier than expected, as he is now listed as questionable after a spell on the sidelines due to thigh complications. If he is chosen for the squad, it is unsure where he will line up, as he has started once and has been a substitute once in his two appearances thus far. However, they will most likely leave him on the bench, not rushing the player back onto the field, especially with an earlier return than expected, probably only being given a few minutes off the bench to test his legs.

APRIL 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Continues on sidelines Matan (thigh) is not an option for Saturday's match against the New York Red Bulls, according to the MLS injury report.

Impact Matan will remain sidelined for a second straight match, appearing to still be dealing with issues within his thigh. Luckily for the club, this shouldn't have much effect on the team after he only saw a rotational role through the first two contests of the season. This leaves Marino Hinestroza to most likely get the start alongside Diego Rossi in the attacking part of the midfield, with Jacen Russell-Rowe also having a chance, while Matan hopes to get back on the field next week against Charlotte on March 23.

MARCH 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out Saturday Matan (thigh) is out for Saturday's clash with Chicago, according to the MLS injury report.

Impact Matan won't be an option for Saturday's clash with Chicago. The midfielder has played a minor role in each of the first two matches totaling just 60 minutes on the pitch. With Matan on the sideline, Jacen Russell-Rowe could be in line for another start.

MARCH 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Eleven goal contributions Matan scored twice and assisted nine goals in 37 appearances in 2023.

Impact Matan didn't quite crest 3,000 minutes but he did break double-digit goal contributions while also starting a career-high 33 times. There were questions about future after 2022, just a year later and Matan is one of the first names on the team sheet and is coming off a career year.

DECEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores and assists against Atlanta Alexandru Matan scored one goal and assisted once from four shots and three chances created in Sunday's 4-2 win versus Atlanta United.

Impact Matan scored in the 33rd minute assisted by Diego Rossi and then assisted Diego Rossi in the 47th minute. He completed two dribbles and made a tackle but missed big chances in the 62nd and 72nd minute. He has two goals and nine assists this season in 34 appearances and will hope to add to that against Orlando on 25th November.

NOVEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Wins two tackles Alexandru Matan generated one shot (zero on goal), two crosses (zero accurate) and one corner in Saturday's 2-1 win against CF Montreal.

Impact Alexandru Matan has logged in two assists in the last seven matches while also recording 12 chances in that span. He also led the team in assists with eight, which is also a career high for him in the MLS.

OCTOBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Assists opener Wednesday Alexandru Matan assisted once to go with zero corners and four chances created in Wednesday's 2-1 win versus New England Revolution.

Impact Matan assisted the opening goal of Wednesday's matchup as he set up Diego Rossi's strike in the 20th minute to take an early lead on the road. It was one of a season-high four chances Matan created in the match prior to being subbed off in the 69th minute for Christian Ramirez.

OCTOBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Assists versus Orlando Alexandru Matan assisted once to go with two chances created in Saturday's 4-3 defeat to Orlando City SC.

Impact Matan recorded his seventh assist of the season Saturday and his first since July 1. It came in the 68th minute as he set up Cucho Hernandez's goal to take a short-lived 3-1 lead. He also created two chances, won one tackle and intercepted one pass before being subbed off in the 72nd minute for Sean Zawadski.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Eight crosses versus Houston Alexandru Matan registered eight crosses (three accurate) and six corners in Wednesday's 2-0 defeat versus Houston Dynamo.

Impact Matan recorded eight crosses (three accurate) and six corners in Wednesday's loss, his most in either category since March 25 versus Atlanta United. He also played the full 90 minutes for the first time since July 8 and the eighth time this season, a promising side that he will be a crucial part of the attack during the final stretch of the regular season.

AUGUST 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Assists with lone chance created Matan had an assist with his lone chance created while taking two shots (one on goal) during Saturday's 2-1 win over New York Red Bulls.

Impact Matan set up Cucho Hernandez in the 19th minute assisting the opening goal of the match. Matan has two assists in his past three matches, starting all three, after working his way back from a thigh injury.

JULY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets assist Alexandru Matan assisted once to go with four crosses (zero accurate) and four corners in Saturday's 1-1 draw against New York City FC.

Impact Alexandru Matan gets his fifth assist of the season to give him the third most in the league. This also comes after averaging about 2.3 crosses per match.

JUNE 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Option off bench Matan (thigh) is on the bench for Saturday's match with Charlotte.

Impact Matan is an option off the bench Saturday after spending two matches on the sideline with a thigh injury. The midfielder has been a nailed-on starter when fully fit and could test his thigh during a cameo off the bench. Matan has scored once and assisted four times in 13 starts.

JUNE 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Still uncertain for weekend Matan (thigh) is "feeling good" but still has a bit of "concern" heading into Saturday's clash against Charlotte FC, Crew manager Wilfried Nancy told Bailey Johnson of the Columbus...

Impact Matan has missed Columbus' last two games with a thigh strain, but Nancy is "hopeful" that he'll be available to return against Charlotte. Yaw Yeboah and then Christian Ramirez replaced him alongside Lucas Zelarayan in attacking midfield against Nashville and Colorado, respectively, this week.

JUNE 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable Wednesday Matan (thigh) is questionable for Wednesday's clash with Colorado, according to the Columbus injury report.

Impact Matan is questionable after missing a Sunday clash with Nashville. The midfielder was dealing with a minor muscular strain and took part in training earlier in the week. Matan could return to the starting XI in place of Yaw Yeboah if deemed fit.

MAY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Misses Nashville loss Matan (undisclosed) was not involved in Sunday's defeat against Nashville SC. "He felt something yesterday," Crew manager Wilfried Nancy told Bailey Johnson of the Columbus Dispatc...

Impact Matan had started each of Columbus' first 13 league matches heading into last weekend, but he was replaced by Yaw Yeboah in the attacking line against Nashville.

MAY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE