Columbus Crew 2 officially terminated the contract of head coach Federico Higuaín on September 23, 2026, following a severe disciplinary breach during an MLS NEXT Pro fixture against Huntsville City FC. The decisive organizational action concludes Higuaín's tenure at the helm of the reserve side, ending an operational relationship that had previously supported a competitive on-field identity characterized by robust offensive metrics, including an average of 1.85 expected goals per match. General Manager Issa Tall executed the dismissal after an internal review process evaluated the fallout from the August 23 encounter.
The incident unfolded during the post-match handshake line when Higuaín grabbed the hand of a female referee, applied a firm squeeze, and repeatedly refused to release his grip despite receiving three direct instructions to let go. Alongside the physical coercion, Higuaín directed the remark 'Don’t forget, this is a man’s game' toward the official. The on-field confrontation earned him an immediate red card, prompting a sequence of escalating disciplinary reviews from league authorities and labour bodies alike.
Initial punitive measures from Major League Soccer consisted of a two-match suspension paired with a mandatory enrollment in restorative practice coursework. However, that baseline sanction provoked immediate condemnation from the Professional Soccer Referees Association, which publicly denounced the two-match penalty as wholly insufficient for acts constituting physical abuse and sexism. The glaring disparity between the severity of the infraction and the governing body's initial response placed immense pressure on the club's leadership to enact a more decisive internal standard.
The trajectory of the disciplinary process shifted decisively during internal reviews, where Higuaín compounded his initial misconduct by refusing to offer a public apology or express remorse for his actions. That intransigence eliminated any viable path for rehabilitation within the Columbus Crew organization, forcing General Manager Issa Tall to sever ties completely. For a developmental team operating within the professional pyramid, retaining a manager who rejects accountability after exhibiting discriminatory and aggressive behaviour toward match officials is untenable.
This managerial dismissal forces Columbus Crew 2 into an abrupt technical transition mid-season within the MLS NEXT Pro structure, disrupting squad stability while the club searches for interim leadership. Beyond the immediate sporting impact, the case underscores ongoing friction between professional sports leagues and officiating unions regarding accountability and the protection of match officials from workplace intimidation. By stepping in where league-level sanctions were deemed inadequate, the club has set a definitive benchmark for professional conduct that prioritizes institutional values over on-field continuity.
