COLUMBUS - With the numerous changes the Columbus Crew underwent following a rough 2005 season, the players might have benefited from seeing an updated media guide before preseason training began Monday.
Even though the nine college draftees from the SuperDraft and the four additions from the Supplemental Draft won't join the team until it is in Bradenton, Fla., on Thursday, the significant roster turnover will be noticeable as the Crew train indoors in Columbus before heading south.
"I think we've created a much more competitive environment," said new Crew coach Sigi Schmid. "There is competition in all of the facets of the field."
Despite having one of the more anemic offenses in the league last year, much of the initial work focused on improving the Crew defense. With the retirement of captain Robin Fraser and the free transfer of Simon Elliott to Fulham FC of the English Premier League, a void was created in the center of the defense. In pre-draft moves, the Crew brought in defenders Tim Ward and Ritchie Kotschau, Marcos Gonzalez and Joel Kitamirike.
"With Marcos Gonzalez, we have an experienced defender who can help us in the back," said Schmid. "He'll become a good partner in the back with Chad [Marshall] and make up for the loss of Robin Fraser.
"Joel is a young guy who can play a number of different positions. He is big plus for us as well," added Schmid.
In the two new defenders with MLS experience, the Crew bring in different types of players. Kotschau is a veteran defender who will bring a steadying presence to the Crew backline while Ward is a more youthful player that enjoys entering the attack.
The lone attacking player added before the draft was Sebastian Rozental. The Chilean international has played with top clubs in Argentina, Scotland and Switzerland as well as his home country, but has been prone to injuries.
"With Sebastian Rozental, his upside is huge. We are taking a risk with Sebastian," said Schmid. "We are taking a risk that is very well worth taking."
With the departures of Fraser, Elliott and Chris Henderson, the Crew has become a much younger and less experienced team. Among others, Schmid is looking to Frankie Hejduk to fill the leadership void.
"Frankie needs to step up in a more vocal leadership role, off as well as on the field. He has always been viewed as the surfer dude," said Schmid. "He is not going to quit being that guy, but I need him to be Frankie the surfer dude who is also a good leader. I think Frankie is ready for that."
Another position that will definitely offer leadership and outstanding play regardless of who fills it is at goalkeeper. The Crew brings in two high quality 'keepers into the 2006 campaign, although both have been recently bothered by injuries.
"Jon Busch was the starting goalkeeper last year until he got injured. Jonny Walker came in and did a great job. We have two quality goalkeepers and I don't think we can go wrong with either one," said Schmid. "Right now, Jonny has a little bit of an injury so Busch is going to get a little bit more playing time."
Even though Busch is coming off a season-ending knee injury suffered early in the campaign, he has the upper hand early because Schmid believes injuries should not cost a player minutes on the field.
"It is a competitive position, but I don't think any player should lose his position due to injury," Schmid said. "When you are out a long time, it gets a little bit harder."
Despite the number of roster changes already made, Schmid stressed two points. The first is that the transformation is not yet finished.
"We still want to get better at defensive midfield. We are still searching for possibly one more forward with a little more experience," said the Crew coach. "Maybe the outside of midfield is somewhere that we want to get a little better or deeper."
Secondly, Schmid ensured that the 2006 season was not a rebuilding season for the Black & Gold.
"My objective is that we want to win a title this year," said Schmid. "If it doesn't happen, we are going to be immensely better than last year. It doesn't take that long to turn around a team."
John Kuhn is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
