The Crew have signed Tommy Heinemann, a tall 6'4 striker that is good with his head and who impressed at 3rd Division Charleston Battery and 2nd Division Carolina Railhawks last season. Heinemann scored a total of 14 goals last season for the two clubs and also had a half dozen assists to go along with that.
The Crew did invite Heinemann to their preseason camp in 2009 and Heinemann stayed for nearly the duration, before the Crew decided to pass on the striker. However, after Heinemann decided to score 14 goals in the USL and NASL during the 2010 season, the Crew apparently didn't want to lose out on another goalscorer (like they did with Bright Dike). So, the Crew realized their mistake and snatched Heinemann back up today.
Heinemann and Dike both excelled in the Second Division in 2010 after the Crew passed on them. Dike was a first round draft pick for the Crew in 2010, that the Crew cut halfway through preseason. Dike went on to score 10 goals in 23 games for the Second Division Portland Timbers in 2010. The Timbers have kept Dike after being promoted to MLS in 2011.
Likewise Heinemann did four better than Dike, scoring 14 goals in 2010.. While Crew players that were kept over Heinemann and Dike, such as Sergio Herrera and Jason Garey, never or rarely ever scored in 2010.
Known for energetic goal celebrations, the 6'4 187 pound Heinemann reminds me a lot of Newcastle United's Andy Carroll (let me know if you think the same):
Heinemann seems to play a lot like Crew fan favorite Steven Lenhart. Which has to make you wonder if there is enough room on the team for both players. However, both have crazy hair, seem a little goofy, and have German surnames so they should get along famously if so.
Heinemann is also 23, about to be 24 so I'm assuming this is the Crew's first under-24 signing, as part of the return of the MLS Reserve League in 2011; As each MLS roster is expanded to 30 spots in 2011, with six spots being taken by players under 24 who do not count against the cap.
If so, looking at the above video I like the signing. Appears to be a quick, tall striker with good ball skills. What are your thoughts?
This guy looks like a Lenhart that can actually finish. (sorry steveo, you've had two good strikes, both of them against toluca) Anybody that comes toa club he's never been with, plays 6 games and scores 4 goals deserves a shot.
ReplyDeleteHopefully he doesn't have Lenhart Syndrome, in that his ability is based on the length of his hair.