Not a regular draft. No, no…a SUPERDRAFT!

By: Matt | February 13th, 2009

Sorry for the continual backtracking with news and events a couple weeks old, but coming into possession of this blog deep into the off-season, I wanted to touch on some topics of the past. Bare with me, I will get to more current affairs, like the US dos zero victory over Mexico this week and the huge role both Crew players and fans played in the win tomorrow.

Being a fan of both European soccer and American sports, it’s always fun explaining to both groups the methods of player selection in each. Trying to explain a player draft to European soccer followers and you will soon see a glazed look over their eyes. You might as well be speaking French to Americans when you try and tell them that most often the highest bidder gets first crack at young talent in soccer (though fans of the New York Yankees might be able to understand this concept better). The SUPERDRAFT!!!!1111!!!!oneone!!!!!1! (caps and punctuation for effect) of the MLS is one example of the 1996 MLS brasses effort to “americanize” soccer for Joe Six Pack (along with Shoot-outs at the end of every match…*shudders). While the SuperDraft is more than just an attempt to “americanize” footy, rather make sure super clubs don’t develop and there is relative parody in MLS. However, an even bigger problem has developed with the draft, mainly that top American soccer prospects must choose between getting an education and playing professional soccer, but Bill Archer can explain that probably much more eloquently than I ever could.

Anyways, the Crew “don’t believe there are any holes in the lineup entering the 2009 season but there are a few areas that could using shoring up.” With the only real loss from the MLS Cup winning season(I don’t think I’ll get tired of linking that picture) being Brad Evans to Seattle through the expansion draft, that statement seems true but the Crew were hoping these new editions will provide some depth. With the Crew also being in this year’s CONCACAF Champions League, depth will be key in order to stay competitive in all of the competitions and still be fresh for another MLS Cup run.

Perhaps the area that most needed backup was on the left wing. After starters Gino Padula and Robbie Rogers, the Crew are a bit thin on the left side and the Crew looked for some relief in the form of leftback Paul Gerstenberger from Boston College. Gerstenberger played all four years during his time at BC, scoring four times and notching ten assists in his time with the Eagles. Gerstenberger said of his own abilities, “I’m a two-way player. Obviously, I have to be strong defensively but I’m willing to take risks to get into the attack when needed.” If he is to make the squad, he would have to focus on his defending though as Crew fans have grown accustomed to the hard nosed defending that Gino Padula has provided on the left. Coach Robert Warzycha said of the BC leftback, “He’s a very talented player. He has good size (6-0, 180) and has good speed. His first priority is defending. He’s smart enough to understand that.”

With their remaining two picks in the draft, the Crew selected University of Pennsylvania midfielder Alex Grendi and Tulsa defender Chris Clements. The Crew also traded Stefani Miglioranzi to Los Angeles in exchange for conditional pick in 2010 MLS SuperDraft.