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Columbus' Justin Meram in contention for Iraq's Olympic squad

Geoff Burke / USA TODAY Sports

The Columbus Crew could be without Justin Meram for a significant portion of the Major League Soccer season as the midfielder is under consideration to represent Iraq at the Olympics.

The Michigan-born 27-year-old has represented Iraq on 17 occasions through his parentage and now appears to be in line for selection as one of the senior members of its under-23 squad for this summer's competition.

Should Iraq reach the Olympic final, Meram would miss matches against both New York City FC on Aug. 13 and the New England Revolution a week after while he squeezes in six national team outings during that period.

He is, however, keen to link up with the squad in Rio de Janeiro.

"It's not like I'm some 10-year vet, so it's quite an honor for me," Meram told Shawn Mitchell of The Columbus Dispatch. "I could maybe miss a month with the Crew, but it's the Olympics, representing your country. It would be an absolute honor to go and do that."

The Crew do have the right to refuse Meram's inclusion in Iraq's travelling Olympians, but the newspaper reports head coach Gregg Berhalter would consider letting him travel should his country call.

Columbus has begun the 2016 campaign poorly, picking up two losses and two draws, and looks to arrest that drab form at the Montreal Impact on Saturday.

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