OBETZ, Ohio – Just three days after being eliminated from the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs, presented by AT&T, the attention of the Columbus Crew SC leadership has already turned toward roster moves during the offseason.
After the team’s final meeting before players depart for their postseason breaks, head coach Gregg Berhalter talked about his strategy for the club’s roster, and why he hopes to have minimal turnover.
“I think we have a good group of guys, and we’d like to keep the core group together as much as that’s possible,” he said. “With the Expansion Draft, sometimes you run the risk of losing guys. But it’s a good core and it’s a group we believe in, so we’d like to keep most of them together.”
The first step in the process of shaping next year’s roster could come as soon as next week. Berhalter said his priority is deciding on player options, followed by assessing the team’s 11 players to protect for the Dec. 10 Expansion Draft.
“We’re going to notify the guys early next week, the guys that we’re not picking up their options,” he said. “In terms of the protected list, we’ll work through that as the date gets closer. But I think it’s best for the guys [who have their option declined] to have that information and to start looking for other places, potentially.”
Berhalter said he and his staff haven’t had conversations with players who have an option approaching, but admitted that they’re not far from their decisions.
“We’ve been working over the last couple days on that, and we’re pretty clear in our thoughts and our direction moving forward,” the coach explained.
But the club also has three out-of-contract players whose future needs to be determined. The contracts of wingers Justin Meram and Bernardo Anor and defender Eric Gehrig will be up in December.
“We’ve been working on that throughout the season,” he said. “Even in the last couple days we’ve been following up with some guys.”
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And for all returning players, the Crew boss said he’ll be considering cap space, roster spots, performance and playing time to help him determine who makes the team in 2015.
Also looming is the Nov. 19 Chivas USA Dispersal Draft. Berhalter said his team could be active in that, depending on their draft spot.
“There are some decent players on their roster,” he said. “We’ll have to evaluate that when we find out what spot we’re in.”
Berhalter also confirmed that he expects Designated Player Federico Higuain to return, and wouldn’t rule out an additional DP, though he said the designation of any player isn’t important to him.
“What I would say is that we want to potentially address every position,” he said. “You saw in the striker position we brought in Kei Kamara. And we could be looking to add depth in that position as well. You look at central midfield where we brought in [Mohammed] Saeid, who’s going to give us depth. So we’re going to be looking to improve the roster in virtually every position.”
