Richard Balchan
From: Indiana University
Stats: 76 starts in college career at prestigous Indiana University, 80 matches in total. Two time All-Big Ten, All-Big Ten First Team this past season.
In Balchan's Words:
"I watched Danny (O'Rourke) when he was at Indiana and I would say I have some of the same qualities. We're always going to have the drive to defend at Indiana. We're always going to bring that attitude to the game."
Weigh ins-
Rich Balchan has all the tools to step on the field right away, filling a need at right back. -Jason Saghini, MLSSoccer.com
Positions: Played mostly central defense and defensive midfield for Hoosiers. Can play defensive midfield, center back, and right back.
Crewture's Prespective: Balchan started his whole career at a hard place to do so in Indiana University, he has been compared to Danny O'Rourke, and he is versatile; Those are three major pluses.
Further, Balchan started 15 games his freshman year, this shows he may be better than most at making the step to the next level.
I also like that the Crew in Balchan and Miranda (also known for being able to play anywhere on a backline) are bringing in versatile defenders. This gives the Crew a lot of options in defense, if say someone's not pulling their weight or if there's an injury or two to the backline. Going to come in handy with O'Rourke out in the beginning.
Further, if Balchan morphs into another Danny O'Rourke, Crew fans will have no problems with that; as I would take a backline of four Danny O'Rourke's over our current defense.
Issues:
**A few wondered about the pick with Corey Hertzog still on the board, the man with the most points (20 goals, 6 assists in 22 games) this past NCAA season. But, I don't know if Hertzog's game translates to MLS. Most Big-Ten defenders, minus a few, are PDL or USL-2 level. Hertzog's only major attribute is finishing, MLS defenders will probably be able to keep him out of the right place, at the right time when Big-Ten defenders could not.
Plus, at pick 12 I think you're going to get a defender that works out in Balchan before you're going to get a forward that produces major results.
Videos:
And one I shot myself working for the Dayton Dutch Lions, as Balchan (3:14) actually scored against us in this game:
Grade: B+. If Balchan can step in and play well from day one, if he becomes like O'Rourke... Then Becomes an A+. Like that Balchan is versatile, like Miranda supposedly; as the Crew are going to need to try out a few combinations in defense before finding a winning one this season.
Justin Meram
From: Michigan University
Stats: 12 goals in his last 9 collegiate games with Michigan, 17 goals and 8 assists on 2010 season. Also place-kicked for Michigan's football team, can kick a football 55 yards. 40 starts in his two seasons at Michigan.
In Justin's words:
This is a dream come true," Meram told MGoBlue.com. "I have been looking forward to this day for a very long time, and I want to thank my team back at Michigan because I love them and without them none of this would have been possible for me."Positions: Forward, left or right side can use both feet well.
Crewture's Perspective: Meram in my opinion is a straight up baller. Few in college can do the assist he had at Valpo or just destroy Penn State like he did in the Big Ten tournament (videos below).
I liked Lenhart, but I'm totally behind the move with seeing what this Meram kid has. Meram might just end up being the most popular Wolverine in Columbus, Ohio. As Warzycha said here:
"If Meram wasn't available, we wouldn't have done it," Crew coach Robert Warzycha said. "But we liked his determination. He can shoot and he's a good finisher. He's very active in front of the net which is something we definitely needed."
Videos:
Grade: A+ plus, no doubt in my mind that this kid can lend something to the Crew. Not next year, but right away. Like his speed, his control. Great pick.
Cole Grossman
From: Duke University
Stats: Played in 70 plus games for Duke, 8 goals and 10 assists in 2009 and 10 goals and 8 assists in 2010. All ACC-First Team in 2010.
Take on Grossman:
Cole Grossman is a mature player who is not far away from contributing and could help ease the loss of Brian Carroll. -MLSSoccer.com's Sanghini
Crewture's Perspective: Another four year starter similiar to Balchan who should be able to handle the step up. Good at linking up the defense to the attack, good passer, and good ball skills.
Grade: B-, not much out there video-wise on Grossman. I guess we will have to wait and see. The Crew will be hoping he can be Carroll (version 2008) if so, A++.
Bernardo Anor leaping over none other than Robert Warzycha's son, Konrad Warzycha, this past season.
Bernardo Anor
From: University of South Florida
Stats: Scored around 6 to 8 goals a season for USF, ended his career with 21 goals. U-20 Venezuelan international.
Crewture's Perspective: U-20 international that late in the draft can never be a bad thing. Adds depth on the wings.
Grade: B+, someone involved in a U-15 to U-20 probably has some good skill. Gives Renteria someone from his country as a teammate.. Only thing was Joao Plata went 49, right after Anor, and I was kind of intrigued by Plata.
Overall Draft Grade: B+, overall much better than last year. Crew only got value out of Duka in 2009, could possibly get value out of three of these players this year. If lucky, all four.
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