MLSsoccer.com continues its team-by-team preview of the 2013 SuperDraft with a look at what could be in store for the Columbus Crew, who narrowly missed the the postseason in 2013.
When it comes to the Crew, the big wild card is the pending international signings with GM Brian Bliss hoping to land two of them this week.
Depending on whether they come to fruition, the club’s strategy could change significantly by the time the SuperDraft on Thursday, January 17, rolls around.
Columbus Crew SuperDraft Picks: #9 (1st Rd), #28 (2nd Rd)
Columbus Crew Depth Chart (22 players):
Goalkeepers (2): Andy Gruenebaum, Matt Lampson
Right Back (1): Joshua Williams
Center Back (3): Chad Marshall, Chad Barson, Eric Gehrig
Left Back (2): Tyson Wahl, Bernardo Añor
Right Midfielder (2): Ethan Finlay, Eddie Gaven
Central Midfielders (5): Milovan Mirosevic, Danny O’Rourke, Tony Tchani, Kevan George, Wil Trapp
Attacking Midfielders (1): Federico Higuaín
Left Midfielder (3): Dilly Duka, Justin Meram, Ben Speas
Forwards (3): Jairo Arrieta, Aaron Horton, Aaron Schoenfeld
Internationals slots (4 of 8 remaining): Arrieta, Higuain, Mirosevic, Anor
Columbus Crew SuperDraft Priorities
Right Back: If recently signed Homegrown player Chad Barson doesn’t make the transition to right back (college coaches feel that's his best position in MLS) and the upcoming international signings don’t produce a right back, the Crew will be in the market for one at the SuperDraft. Problem is the options are slim.
Wish List (right backs): Drew Beckie (Denver), Joe Franco (Cal State Northridge), Tommy Muller (Georgetown)
Speed Forward: Although Aaron Horton is their speed option in the Crew’s current stable of strikers, the club may pull the trigger if the likes of Generation adidas products Deshorn Brown or Jason Johnson fall to them.
Wish List (speed forwards):Erik Hurtado (Santa Clara), Jason Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth), Deshorn Brown (Central Florida), Ashton Bennett (Coastal Carolina)
Central Defender: Brian Bliss says that one of the international players he’s chasing is a defender. Where on the back line is unknown. In the meantime, Marshall is coming off ankle surgery and former Akron center back Barson will be a rookie (unless he’s deemed to undersized to play in the middle of the defense). There should be at least one highly rated center back remaining by the time No. 28 comes around.
Wish List (centerbacks):Tommy Muller (Georgetown), Eric Schoenle (West Virginia), Eric Robertson (Brown), Trevor Newquist (St. Mary’s)
