Columbus Crew announces call-ups for September international window

COLUMBUS - Columbus Crew today announced that two players have earned an international call-up ahead of the September international window: Liam Fraser (Canada) and Jonathan Mensah (Ghana).

Fraser is set to join his national team for three matches in the Third Round of Concacaf qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Fraser and Canada open their Third Round campaign when they welcome Honduras to BMO Field in Toronto, Canada on September 2, before traveling to face the United States at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on September 5. The Canucks then return to Toronto to host El Salvador at BMO Field on September 8. 

Fraser, 23, has earned eight caps with the Canada National Team, most recently appearing in a Concacaf Gold Cup Quarterfinal Round match against Costa Rica on July 25, 2021. This year, the midfielder has made 12 regular-season appearances (eight starts) with the Crew.

Mensah will represent Ghana in CAF group-stage action as part of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The Black Stars are in Group G, alongside Ethiopia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Ghana first hosts Ethiopia on September 3 at Cape Coast Sports Stadium in Cape Coast, Ghana, before traveling to Johannesburg, South Africa to face South Africa on September 6 at FNB Stadium. 

Mensah has earned 60 caps for Ghana, last appearing in an Africa Cup of Nations Group Stage match against Cameroon on June 29, 2019. In 2021, Mensah has made 21 regular-season appearances (20 starts) while scoring two goals for the Black & Gold. 

Columbus Crew’s current roster features 11 players that have received a senior National Team call-up: Harrison Afful, Luis Diaz, Derrick Etienne, Jr., Waylon Francis, Liam Fraser, Perry Kitchen, Jonathan Mensah, Kevin Molino, Darlington Nagbe, Eloy Room and Gyasi Zardes.

Up next, the Crew travels to face Orlando City SC at Exploria Stadium on Saturday, September 4 7:30 p.m. ET / Bally Sports Ohio / 97.1 FM The Fan & [971TheFan.com (English), ColumbusCrew.com (Spanish)] with coverage beginning on Bally Sports Ohio at 7:00 p.m. ET.