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Justin Meram’s difficult spell with Orlando City SC is over. The 29-year-old was officially traded back to Columbus Crew yesterday in exchange for $750,000 in Targeted Allocation Money and a 2019 international roster spot.
The deal, in isolation, is very good business for Orlando City SC.
They managed to move him on for what many would have expected to be his market value – and that’s when you disregard his torrid form whilst in purple and his apparent reluctance to feature for the team again.
For context, this is the same week Fanendo Adi was traded to FC Cincinnati for a minimum of $850k allocation money and the same season New England Revolution received $700k plus future considerations for Lee Nguyen.
So not a bad deal right?
Not so much when you factor in that Justin Meram joined the Lions for that very same $750k TAM and 2019 international roster spot as well as an additional $300k in General Allocation Money only six months ago. The winger effectively joined on a half-season loan for $300k.
Another six-figure trade
It seemed like paying over the odds at the time, symptomatic of Niki Budalic’s time as Lions General Manager. It was the second $1 million+ deal Orlando City SC had shelled out for in as many trade windows following the arrival of Dom Dwyer in July 2017 for an eye-watering $1.6m, obliterating the previous record $650k paid to Orlando City SC by Minnesota United for Kevin Molino.
For anyone counting, Orlando City SC have paid for half of the six-figure trades in league history alongside Darlington Nagbe to Atlanta United and David Accam to Philadelphia Union. And now the deal appears even more costly than many people could have thought.
Proven MLS talent
As much money as it was at the time, Justin Meram joined the Lions as a proven MLS talent after seven years in the league and was coming off the back of a career-high 13 goal season.
Columbus Crew wouldn’t have been too keen listening to offers for their Iraq international playmaker had he not requested a transfer, the reasons why he remained tight-lipped about.
On his arrival, Niki Budalic praised the attacker’s 1v1 ability and said the new number nine was an “ideal fit to round out our attacking group” in a window that also saw the arrival of reigning back-to-back assist leader Sacha Kljestan, young Designated Player Josué Colmán and promising first round pick Chris Mueller.
“Change the culture”
What followed was a good start to the season – despite starting the season winless in three – and Meram appeared to be a leader off the pitch. On the way to Orlando City Stadium on the eve of Orlando City SC’s first win of the season he stopped to ask some fans if they thought the team would win.
Drove by Orlando City fans and asked them if we were gonna win…. he said “prob not” 🤬 Well it’s time to change the culture here! Let’s go boys 😈
— Justin Meram (@JustinMeram) March 31, 2018
Cynicism fuelled by fresh memories of chronic underachievement led them to answer “probably not” and Justin Meram vowed to “change the culture”. What ensued was a streak of six wins (which still stands as this season’s league-wide record) and a worrying defensive record was eased by an attack continuing to produce.
Justin Meram, however, produced very little.
Statistically the Orlando City SC player who has lost possession most per 90 minutes this season, he often struggled to beat his man and also had a hard time hitting the target which naturally brought criticism.
👉🏼🤫👈🏼 pic.twitter.com/tqjNjUTdX9
— Justin Meram (@JustinMeram) May 14, 2018
So when he finally netted his first of the year, he celebrated by running up to The Wall and putting his fingers in his ears “to block out the haters”, an ignorant show of immaturity.
One goal does not make a season Mr Meram… although it appears in his case it does.
Lack of production
Between his hefty price tag and, these brash showings of changing the culture and blocking out noise, a personal lack of production followed.
As the team fell deeper into a nine-game losing streak, Justin Meram requested a leave of absence claiming to have been on the end of online abuse wishing for his death, abuse that nobody should condone.
His final appearance would come as a half-time substitute in a 4-1 loss away to Los Angeles FC. Since then he has been training away from the first team and appeared to be fishing for a move away, and even liked an Instagram post from MLS about Columbus Crew’s highly controversial 3-2 injury time win against Orlando City SC recently.
Lost faith
Faith in Justin Meram had spiralled downwards from high-profile marquee signing to epic flop within months and his relationship with supporters who had once lapped up his pedigree and promises of change – to the point where some supporters bought him dinner – soon soured to pantomime villain level as he who showed nothing but disrespect to a team and fanbase.
I spoke with Jusin Meram this morning, asked him about fans buying his dinner last night, said he hopes to return the favor tomorrow with a win against Chicago. Also, he still tipped the waiter. pic.twitter.com/daNJ3CuoRG
— Mike Gramajo (@byMikeGramajo) May 25, 2018
For all his grandstanding and bold rhetoric he had promised everything and delivered nothing.
The fallout
Orlando City SC managed to recoup some much-needed allocation money (more than I had anticipated), regained an international spot and managed to wipe most of his $580k salary off its books. As for what they’ve lost, the answer is not a lot outside of the $300k.
One Major League Soccer goal, one goal in the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and two assists in 18 appearances from a player who has accrued the second most shots from anyone in purple this season is production that barely registers and has meant very little to Orlando City SC’s season.
Additionally, with regards to personnel new coach James O’Connor who had only used Meram for 45 minutes has recently deployed Mohamed El-Munir and Yoshimar Yotún in a more attacking position to bolster the immediate options of Sacha Kljestan, Chris Mueller and Josué Colmán.
What next?
In reality it is the defence, the worst in the league and on pace to become the worst in MLS history that needs more attention and investment.
Justin Meram will not be missed – not his negligible on-field contribution nor his narcissistic off-field antics.
Antics that yesterday saw him personally announce “feels so good” as he returns to the team he was desperate to leave just six months ago.
Feels so good 🙏🏼👊🏼 https://t.co/1DLBtleXUW
— Justin Meram (@JustinMeram) August 3, 2018
And while Columbus Crew may be seen to have strengthened from this trade if they get back the player that left, Orlando City SC have no doubt added by subtraction.