For the Columbus Crew, the first portion of their preseason is over. After nearly three weeks in Florida, the team took the chance to come home to Ohio for a few days before heading off to California, where they will spend the next week.
In four exhibition matches in Florida, the Crew won three, defeating the Kansas City Wizards, the U.S. under-17 national team and the University of South Florida. They lost just one, to the Chicago Fire, scoring eight goals in all while conceding only one.
"I think we worked hard but I don't think we killed [the players]," said head coach Sigi Schmid. "We were able to identify some players and I think it was a good first leg of the preseason."
The Florida leg of the preseason saw the team focus much on personnel. The scrimmages almost always featured mass substitutions in predetermined segments to get as many players on the field as possible.
"We've had approximately 40 guys in and out of camp so far so it is not often that you find yourself on the field with the same new guys," says Danny O'Rourke. "We've definitely seen some flashes from some of [the younger players]. There have been some guys like George Josten that have looked real good. He's smart, he holds the ball well and he's scored three goals in three games."
Josten is a name popping up a lot around the Crew camp at the moment. A SuperDraft pick out of Gonzaga University, Josten has exhibited a propensity for putting the ball in the back of the net in his first few games. Now he is hoping he can transform those goals into a roster spot.
"It certainly has a big impact," said Schmid. "Three appearances and three goals, you have to take notice of that."
"Overall it's been pretty good," said Josten of his start. "There are other parts of my game that I need to pick up but the goals have been coming, so that's always nice."
During their three days in Columbus this week the team hosted a corporate reception at the Capital Club in downtown Columbus. The evening included a brief presentation and some words from Crew general manager Mark McCullers as well as Schmid, as well as humorous introductions of every player currently with the team.
The Florida portion of the preseason also clearly was one of team-building, evident from the good-natured fun and camaraderie on display Wednesday evening, and equally evident on goalkeeper Will Hesmer's blog, which he has been keeping from training camp.
"I don't understand why they gave Justin Timberlake his own blog, but I understand how it is," says O'Rourke, jokingly distraught by the abuse he suffers via the fingertips of his own goalkeeper. "He graduated from Wake Forest and he thinks he's a smart guy, but once people read what he is writing they may start to see Will Hesmer for the country boy that he really is. Since I have to live with him through training I personally hear enough of his whining every day."
"Everyone is really open and nice, and willing to talk to you and help you," said Josten of fitting in with the squad. "Maybe it has something to do with the fact that a lot of the guys here are younger, but even the older guys are really willing to help the younger guys out and I think that's definitely helps the team."
The Crew now head west for the stretch that will include two tune-ups with MLS squads, San Jose and Chivas USA, as well as a match against PDL opposition. After a return to Columbus, the Crew then head to England for about a week, then to Louisiana for a week in advance of their season opener against Toronto FC on March 29.
"The next segment we need to identify what our lineup is going to be and put that together," Schmid said. "Based on what we saw in the first segment and our lineup needs we are going to have to get some players signed, but certainly the second segment for us is about finding the right unit and the right mix of players on the field."
Nathan Linton is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
