John Barry Nusum was a victim of the "numbers crunch", according to the Columbus Crew who released the Bermudan striker over the weekend.

Nusum was picked up in the Major Soccer League Superdraft in February and despite some impressive pre-season performances while at training camps in Florida and Mexico he was among three draftees who were told their services were no longer required.

MLS rules stipulate a team can only have 18 senior players plus four developmental players.

Nusum, who played for Wolves while in Bermuda, may still find a place for himself among the Crew as the club still have one developmental place remaining.

Chris Smith, Crew general manager, said over the weekend that the club were in talks with Nusum about the position. But it would mean him being farmed out to the lower A League and also accepting less wages than if he was a full squad member.

Crew coach, Greg Andrulis, has gone for a more defensive looking squad in readiness for the new season, which kicks off against Chicago this weekend.

"John really just got caught in a numbers crunch. We are loaded at forward," said Crew spokesman Jeff Wuerth yesterday.

"Only three of our seven draftees made the team - Kyle Martino, our number one pick, who is roster protected as a Project-40 player, Jon Busch, who is our back-up goalie and Chris Leitch, who is on our developmental squad."

Only Busch made the senior 18-man roster.

Wuerth said Nusum's options away from the Crew included finding another MLS team, joining an A League team in its own right or seeking a contract overseas.

The latter may be the most appealing option for a player who earlier this year had extensive trials with Scottish Premier League side Livingston.

Although nothing concrete came from his time in Scotland, where he was also joined by fellow Bermudian striker Stephen Astwood, the door is believed to have been left open for him to return in the summer for a further try-out.