OBETZ, Ohio – With Wil Trapp out injured and Mohammed Saeid suspended due to a red card, Columbus Crew SC midfielder Kevan George may be in line for his first start since last September when the team hosts the Chicago Fire on Friday night (8 pm ET, Univision Deportes).
George, who made just four MLS appearances last season but came in last weekend after Saeid earned his second yellow, says it would be “an honor” to get the start, but that he’s just focusing on contributing all he can in training for now.
“Nothing has changed,” he said. “We all train together, practice together. It’s just if the opportunity arises, you’ve got to be ready to play. Nothing changes.”
And while some teams separate the likely starters from the reserves during practices, George said Crew SC’s tendency to train as one unit helps reserves like himself step into the fray.
“You’re accustomed to the guys who normally start,” he said. “It makes it a little easier whenever you’re given the chance and the transition is a little easier.”
Head coach Gregg Berhalter said he would assess the performance of several players in training this week to determine who will start alongside Tony Tchani in the center of the park. He said he likes what he’s seen from George, but needs to know the Trinidad & Tobago native can put it together on the MLS stage.
“Kevan has done well,” Berhalter said. “In training, he’s always really solid. So the next step for us is taking his performance in training and translating that into a match. That’s what we’re looking for.”
George said Berhalter hasn’t given him many specific instructions, but being around Trapp and Saeid has helped him know what the coach expects from his position.
“When he spoke to either Wil or Mohammed, I listened as well because I’m in that position,” he said. “We develop as a team. You compete with the guys next to you, but you also learn from them. It’s been learning [from] a distance, for me.”
A year ago, Berhalter sent George to play with the Dayton Dutch Lions, the club’s USL affiliate at the time. Back then, he thought George would play center back. But in his time back in Columbus, George seems to have convinced his coach to keep him in the midfield.
“I think his first position would probably be holding midfield and the secondary position would be center back,” Berhalter said. “He’s good at winning the ball, he’s good on the ball, he understands what that role needs, he’s comfortable playing simple and he’s good in challenges.”
And for George, the position on the field doesn’t matter – as long as he’s on the pitch, he’ll be happy.
“[Not playing has] been tough, but it’s been a learning experience, one that I’ve welcomed with open arms,” he said. “It’s just a part of the development. As long as I’m on that field training, getting to play and healthy, I’m OK.
“If I get to start, I’ll be ready. I’ll be mentally tuned in. I’m physically ready, no injuries, so I’ll be OK.”
