COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew goalkeeper Evan Bush announced today that he will retire following the Club’s 2026 campaign. The 15-year MLS veteran joined the Crew after tenures with the CF Montreal (2012-2020) and Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2020), and was part of the Black & Gold’s 2023 MLS Cup, Leagues Cup 2024 and the 2021 Campeones Cup championship winning teams.
The Crew will honor Bush’s dedication to the Club, league and community during their final home match of the regular season against D.C. United on Saturday, Oct. 31 at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field [2 p.m. ET / Apple TV / Alt 105.7 FM / iHeartRadio app (English); La Mega 103.1 FM, 107.1 FM / La Mega app (Spanish)].
“On behalf of the Columbus Crew, we want to congratulate Evan for his wonderful career, as well as extending our gratitude for his contributions to the Club and the positive impact he has made both on and off the pitch,” said Crew General Manager Issa Tall. “Evan has been an important part of our organization and a proud ambassador of the Black & Gold. He has been an incredible mentor to everyone in the locker room, and we thank him for his dedication to the Club, his teammates and the greater Columbus community.”
"Eighteen years ago, I chased a dream of being a professional soccer player. A dream that seemed untouchable as a kid growing up in Northeast Ohio. Today, after 18 years of living that dream, I am announcing my decision to (finally) call it a career on the field at the end of the 2026 season,” Bush shared earlier today via social media. “To start in Ohio and end here has been a part of the dream that even I couldn't have envisioned. While I am hopeful for a strong finish to this regular season and a long postseason run, I wanted to let everyone know my intentions at this point so I can move forward through the remaining weeks with joy and a true appreciation for what is left. As there are so many people in my life, current and past, who deserve much more than a simple 'thank you' in this announcement, I will put off any truly reflective posts until the season actually ends. Until then, I look forward to enjoying every day I have left on the field!"
Named the Crew’s Humanitarian of the Year in 2025, Bush has demonstrated a deep commitment to serving the Columbus community and making a lasting impact. Inspired by his family’s personal connection to Type 1 diabetes, the veteran goalkeeper has tirelessly advocated for greater awareness and support, raising funds for the Type 1 diabetes community and championing organizations like Breakthrough T1D. He also connected with young soccer players from across Ohio during a Crew Youth Player Pro Series event and participated in the 2025 NC4K Fashion Show, a family-friendly community event that raised funds and awareness for Ohio families affected by childhood cancer.
Bush joined the Black & Gold on Dec. 14, 2020, in a trade with Vancouver Whitecaps FC, where he tallied one shutout in eight regular season appearances. On March 22, 2025, Bush returned to the field 221 days after a forearm injury suffered the previous season and earned the shutout in a 0-0 home draw against NYCFC. Bush went on to start six MLS matches in 2025, tallying two shutouts and 10 saves. In 2021, the veteran goalkeeper appeared in four regular season matches, as well as backstopped the Crew during the 2021 Campeones Cup win with five saves and a clean sheet during a 2-0 victory over Liga MX side Cruz Azul on Sept. 29. To date, Bush has started all 196 MLS regular season matches played, tallying 607 saves and 44 shutouts. Additionally, Bush has two shutouts in eight postseason appearances.
A Concord Township, Ohio native, Bush made 184 regular season appearances for CF Montreal from 2012-2020, posting 41 shutouts. Bush helped Montreal win three Canadian Championships (2013, 2014 and 2019) and reach the 2014-15 Concacaf Champions League Final, where he earned the Golden Glove award.
Prior to joining CF Montreal, Bush began his professional career with the Cleveland City Stars of the USL First Division in 2009, registering seven appearances and two shutouts, before joining USSF Division 2 side Crystal Palace Baltimore in 2010. Bush tallied six clean sheets in 26 contests for Crystal Palace Baltimore across all competitions.
At the collegiate level, Bush played for the University of Akron from 2005-2008, posting 62 wins and 48 shutouts. During his time with Akron, the goalkeeper earned the 2005 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Newcomer of the Year award and was named to the following Best XI teams: NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region (2008), All-Ohio Teams (2008), All-MAC First Team (2006-2008) and the Freshman-All American Team (2005). In September 2025, Bush was named to the Lake Catholic High School Athletic Hall of Fame, where he captained the varsity soccer team for two years while setting the school record for shutouts (11) during his senior season and earned a First-team All-Cleveland selection.
