Columbus Crew midfielder Darlington Nagbe confirmed on social media Friday that he tested positive for COVID-19.
His post on Twitter came one day after the Crew listed both Nagbe and fellow midfielder Pedro Santos as "medically not cleared to play" against the Seattle Sounders in the MLS Cup final on Saturday.
— Darlington Nagbe (@darlingtonnagbe) December 11, 2020
"I tested positive for covid and currently have no symptoms," Nagbe wrote. "My family and myself are feeling well, which is most important. I've worn masks, washed my hands, and limited contact with others but still contracted the virus.
"After such a long and tough season, I'm gutted to not be able to play in the final on Saturday with the team."
Nagbe, 30, is in his first season with the Crew. He previously played for current Columbus head coach Caleb Porter with the Timbers, as Nagbe was in Portland from 2011-17 and Porter was in charge there from 2013-17. Nagbe then played two years with Atlanta United. He was part of MLS championship teams with Portland in 2015 and Atlanta in 2018.
He logged one goal and one assist in 15 regular-season games this year, then added one goal in three playoff games. Nagbe has 30 goals and 38 assists in 285 career MLS regular-season games plus two goals and two assists in 23 playoff games.
Nagbe also has appeared 25 times for the U.S. men's national team, scoring one goal and assisting on two.
Santos, a 32-year-old Portugal native, recorded six goals and eight assists in 22 games for the Crew this year, and he has added two goals in the three playoff matches. He is in his fourth season with the Columbus Crew.
