Columbus Crew SC added to their already packed stable of fullbacks Friday, announcing the signing of Argentinian defender Hernan Grana.
Grana played for multiple clubs in Argentina, including Crew legend Guillermo Barros Schelotto’s current club Lanus, and most recently played for Boca Juniors on loan from All Boys.
Crew SC head coach and sporting director Gregg Berhalter said Grana was identified by the club’s scouts, and called him “well-rounded.”
“In our system, the fullbacks need to be attacking-oriented and we’ve certainly seen that in the past from him,” Berhalter told media on a conference call Friday. “It wasn’t necessarily the case at Boca because of the way they played. But what we did see from him at Boca is his anticipation and how he reads the game and his one-on-one defending. That’s what really attracted us to him, because he’s very cap of defending in one-on-one situations.”
Reports from South America suggested an off year for Grana in 2014 with Boca, but Berhalter doesn’t see it that way.
“I think that’s subjective, that point of view,” he said. “He was playing for the top club in Argentina, and that’s always a tall order. There’s a lot of pressure associated with playing for Boca Juniors, and I don’t think that necessarily reflects his quality or what kind of player he is.”
At 29, Grana is one of the older players on the Crew SC roster, and Berhalter hopes that his experience and maturity can be a positive influence on the very young Columbus squad.
“He can teach the younger players,” Berhalter said. “When you watch his positioning on the field, it’s excellent. When you look at his anticipation and movement and defensive position, it’s very good. We talk about having young defenders, and he’s certainly someone that can help with that and help teach that.”
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With Waylon Francis, new signing Chris Klute, Ben Sweat, Chad Barson and converted midfielder Hector Jimenez all in the running playing time at fullback, Berhalter says he’s happy with the depth that he’s created.
“When we signed (Klute), the line was that we need depth in those positions,” he said. “It costs a lot of energy to play outside back in our system and we’re going to need to bring guys in and out and rest guys at certain moments.
“Now, the depth chart for those positions is pretty much filled. We have a good mix of youth and experience between international experience, MLS experience and we have most of that covered with two potential national team players in Waylon and Chris.”
