No big name designated players, such as Dejan Stankovic (above), before the season according to the Crew brass.
2/22/2012: Columbus Crew Designated Player Not Coming Before Season (Or More Than Likely At All)
By Ryan Kozlowski
CREWTURE.COM
The Columbus Dispatch's Adam Jardy hinted a week ago, on his twitter account, of imminent news on the designated player front for the Columbus Crew.
If you were a Crew fan you probably refreshed the Dispatch's sports page a couple times last Friday hoping for good news. Finally,
Soccer: Crew’s plans for designated player on hold
That title was so anti-climatic (and well for Crew fans with a pessimistic reproach out there- expected), that I skimmed through the article at work on my Samsung and left the story alone for a few days.
As I've learned over my history of writing on here, usually the best, balanced ideas come after some thought. So here's some thoughts on the Crew's designated player search:
1. Why give up on a DP before the season (or admit that it's unlikely) so early: As the Crew made their admission that there was unlikely to be a designated player before the season, there were 23 days before the first game. Even if it's unlikely that the Crew will sign a designated player, why supply the "quotes" for an article on it already? Why not tease the fans a little? The Crew could of continued to say were close (for the remainder of the 23 days before their matchup with Colorado) and keep the feel good optimism up and maybe sell some more tickets that way. The front office, in my opinion, takes all the fun out of it by saying, oh maybe in August.
I appreciate the honesty but some things are better left unknown.
2. It's sometimes a waste to bring on a designated player in August (or rather any signing): As was the case with Mendoza and possibly Schelotto (early on) bringing someone in with two months left in the season usually hinders that player; as well as sometimes the team chemistry and overall play developed in this part of the season.
This is usually because the team ethos is developed in January and February, and it's hard to be included at the tail end of the season.
Therefore, the designated player is frustrated because he's thrown into a stituation where he has no time to bond with his teammates. His teammates are frustrated because the new guy is supposed to be a savior and his play (because of possibly stress) isn't the best early on (even the same with Beckham).
I typically think it's better to bring a designated player or any player in before the season. Mid-season transfers sometimes have success right away (think Louis Saha netting two for Tottenham against Newcastle in his first day), but usually waver in the wind for that half or quarter season and show their true worth in the following full season.
3. Does no designated player mean no new signings at all before the season?: I'm particularly unimpressed with the Crew's failure to adequately address the left back stituation.
I have reservations that Lindsey Wilson alum Shaun Francis has the required level of play (bad ball skills, nervousness), it eventually took the Crew coaching staff and most Crew fans a year and a half to come to a similiar (but perhaps less brisk) conclusion.
Francis apparently though is still in the hunt for the left back position, along with some Laing kid who is injured and Kasali Casal.
Casal is a former D.C. United (lets be honest) bottom of the roster player, who was cast off, and has bounced around Europe with only 30 senior caps since 2007. In comparison, the Crew's right back Sebastian Miranda had 36 just last year.
Casal, Francis, Laing? All three leave a lot left to be desired compared to the rest of the backline. If the Crew doesn't make a move or trade for a competent left back, I rather see O'Rourke, who sometimes played left back for an injured Gino Padula a few years back, in the position.
I would much rather see a backline of Miranda----Mendes----Marshall-----O'Rourke then Miranda----Mendes----Marshall-----Casal/Francis/Laing on opening day.
Gaven and Duka can track back and play defense more, because I don't think our midfield necessarily falls apart without O'Rourke in a DM role.
Heck, 4.) signing a designated player left back for one year, would be better than signing no one. At least we would have the best defense in MLS and defense wins championships.
Crew didn't take care of the left back problem in the draft, so if they can't sign some star striker (which usually is out of the Crew's pay range and apparently was since there targets were not interested) why not sign a DP left back to sure things up. A left back designated player is much more affordable than a designated striker.
Also, if skilled a left back designated player could shift up to Rogers position and possibly play left-mid as well.
Unlikely the Crew will put down big money for a defensive-minded star, but really it's better than having Kasali Casal as our left back on opening day.
5.) Season tickets are sold now, not in August: The Crew are unlikely to make any move in August unless it's a big name that will attract fans without season tickets to the stadium.
I don't think helping to get to the playoffs is enough of a task for the DP. With the millions that the Crew apparently lost last year, that player has to help season tickets or provide an immediate boost to the seats filled in August by casual onlookers.
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