The Crew agreed to acquire 23-year-old forward Gonzalo Tapiaon loan from Sao Paulo, according to a source on Aug. 4.
Tapia, a native of Chile, has spent the last two years with Sao Paulo, a club in the top flight of the Brazilian league. In 2026, he registered two starts in 11 appearances and has yet to score a goal this season. He scored five goals in 12 starts and 20 matches played for Sao Paulo last season.
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Before Brazil, Tapia spent a year with River Plate in the Argentinian league. He started his professional career with Universidad Católica in the Chilean Primera División.
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Columbus Crew vs FC Cincinnati ‘Hell Is Real’ match. See highlights
Interim head coach Laurent Courtois greets fans as he arrives to the stadium before the game against FC Cincinnati at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on on July 25, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)
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Columbus Crew vs FC Cincinnati ‘Hell Is Real’ match. See highlights
Interim head coach Laurent Courtois greets fans as he arrives to the stadium before the game against FC Cincinnati at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on on July 25, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)
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Columbus Crew vs FC Cincinnati ‘Hell Is Real’ match. See highlights
Valerie Messmer smiles as she marches on West Nationwide Boulevard to ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on on July 25, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.
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(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)
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Columbus Crew vs FC Cincinnati ‘Hell Is Real’ match. See highlights
Columbus Crew fans march on West Nationwide Boulevard to ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on on July 25, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)
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Columbus Crew vs FC Cincinnati ‘Hell Is Real’ match. See highlights
Columbus Crew fans march on West Nationwide Boulevard to ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on on July 25, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)
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Columbus Crew vs FC Cincinnati ‘Hell Is Real’ match. See highlights
Columbus Crew fans march on West Nationwide Boulevard to ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on on July 25, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)
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Columbus Crew vs FC Cincinnati ‘Hell Is Real’ match. See highlights
Alissa Gates holds a smoke flare as she marches on West Nationwide Boulevard to ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on on July 25, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.
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(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)
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Columbus Crew vs FC Cincinnati ‘Hell Is Real’ match. See highlights
Columbus Crew fans march on West Nationwide Boulevard to ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on on July 25, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)
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Columbus Crew vs FC Cincinnati ‘Hell Is Real’ match. See highlights
Columbus Crew fans march on West Nationwide Boulevard to ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on on July 25, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)
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Columbus Crew vs FC Cincinnati ‘Hell Is Real’ match. See highlights
Columbus Crew fans march on West Nationwide Boulevard to ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on on July 25, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)
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Columbus Crew vs FC Cincinnati ‘Hell Is Real’ match. See highlights
A Columbus Crew fan holds a smoke flare as they march on West Nationwide Boulevard to ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on on July 25, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.
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(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)
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Columbus Crew vs FC Cincinnati ‘Hell Is Real’ match. See highlights
Columbus Crew fans greet the team before the game against FC Cincinnati at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on on July 25, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)
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Columbus Crew vs FC Cincinnati ‘Hell Is Real’ match. See highlights
Columbus Crew fans prepare to march on West Nationwide Boulevard to ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on on July 25, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)
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Columbus Crew vs FC Cincinnati ‘Hell Is Real’ match. See highlights
Columbus Crew fans march on West Nationwide Boulevard to ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on on July 25, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)
Tapia will be placed in an international slot, but he will not be a designated player, a slot reserved for MLS teams for salaries outside the cap. The Crew still has a temporary designated player spot to replace injured striker Wessam Abou Ali.
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