Columbus Crew coach Caleb Porter not coaching vs. Nashville SC after entering COVID-19 protocol
Jacob Myers
Crew coach Caleb Porter will not be on the sidelines against Nashville SC on Wednesday night after entering Major League Soccer’s health and safety protocol, the club announced.
Porter is vaccinated against COVID-19. Assistant coach Ezra Hendrickson will be taking up the role as head coach for this game.
Porter spoke to the media after practice Tuesday, meaning he was not in COVID-19 protocol. MLS has operated under a general “health and safety protocol” distinction this season for individuals who test positive for COVID-19 or have to quarantine due to exposure or international travel.
Under MLS protocol, as long as vaccinated individuals who have been exposed to the coronavirus continue to test negative, they do not have to be listed under the health and safety protocol.
Hendrickson has not been a head coach before but was interviewed for the head coaching position at D.C. United following the 2020 season.
It's unclear how many games Porter will miss.
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The Crew play Nashville SC at 8:30 p.m. at Nissan Stadium. The next game is Saturday at home against New York Red Bulls.
The absence comes at a crucial moment for the Crew, which sit four points off the final playoff spot with five games remaining in the season.
The Crew have had four players test positive for COVID-19 since September. Winger Luis Diaz is currently out due to MLS health and safety protocol.
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