Photo by Eric Bolte/USA Today Sports
By RYAN TOLMICH
Already boasting one of the most potent attacks in MLS, the Columbus Crew could be even more dangerous after the addition of another attacking piece.
The Crew acquired forward Jack McInerney from the Montreal Impact in exchange for the team’s second round pick in the 2016 MLS Draft. The move gives the Crew another young attacking option, as the 22-year-old McInerney has already scored 36 career MLS goals.
“We believe Jack McInerney is going to make an immediate impression on the club and feel that his qualities will help him assimilate easily into our system,” said Crew head coach Gregg Berhalter. “He’s a young player that possesses great timing with his movements and has a talent for scoring goals. His track record so far in this League has been outstanding, and we look forward to him contributing on the field for us.”
The move was a necessary one for the Impact, who were forced into a deal due to roster constraints. Following the signings of Didier Drogba and Johan Venegas, the Impact were required to free up space on the roster, prompting the deal.
“Following our two recent signings, we needed to make a move to free up a roster spot,” said Impact technical director Adam Braz. “We found a viable solution to make a move before the trade window closed. We would like to thank Jack for his contributions to the club and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”
McInerney has 138 MLS appearances and 87 starts since being drafted seventh overall by the Philadelphia Union in the 2010 MLS Draft. A former MLS All-Star, the forward has earned several call-ups to the U.S. Men’s National Team, but has yet to earn a cap.
With the Crew, McInerney now joins one of the league’s most potent attacks, led by top goalscorer Kei Kamara and top assister Ethan Finlay.
The Crew area back in action on Saturday for a home matchup with the Colorado Rapids, while the Impact host the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday at Stade Saputo.
What do you think of the deal? How will McInerney fit with the Crew? Think this the type of move that can push the Crew over the top?
Share your thoughts below.
Jack was a very speedy for his age and tore up the 17s… once he could not outrun people he became less prolific… He is still worthy of an MLS roster spot and some starts here and there… the guy is only 23 years old… His full story is not written yet.
MLS is at a point where mediocracy doesn’t fly anymore and teams are trying to reach the next level with prime time players, especially in the Striker / Midfield positions. There is nothing exceptional about Jack Mac. Between 20 – 22 none of the youth MNTs were falling over him, neither were teams abroad. Unless he is content with his salary and riding pine NASL is the only answer for being a core starter (like a Christian Ramirez) joining the likes of:
Freddy Adu
Kalif Alhassan
Sainey Nyassi
Dane Richards
Maicon Santos
Gale Agbossoumonde
Daniel Szetela
Adam Moffat
I like JackMac’s play. Just wonder why he’s moved so much for a young player.
I think part of it has to do with his style. He almost seems like a poor man’s Chicharito in that he doesn’t wow you in any other phase of the game. He doesn’t appear to provide a lot of hold up play, be a great passer, or be great with the ball at his feet running at players. None of his goals really seem spectacular, he just has a tendency to pop up in the right place at the right time to score goals. This is not meant to be a criticism as I believe this is a skill in its own right. If you look at his strike rate, he generally provides a goal every 4 games or 3 starts, which is pretty good. However, as seen by Chicharito’s struggles for playing time in Europe, again, despite a good strike rate, pure poachers just arent as valued as they used to be….
A goal every “4 games or 3 starts” is not very productive for a player like Mcinerny.
McInerny’s combined scoring rate for Philly and Montreal is one goal every 3.8 games.
If he is not going to contribute in other areas of the game then he needs to be scoring at a rate of about a goal every 2-3 games to be secure.
Chicharito’s rate for his club career is one goal every 2.6 games; for Mexico it is one goal every 1.85 games
Columbus will be JackMac’s third club. That’s not a lot really.
His scoring rate is more appropriate for an attacking midfielder not a pure striker.
All he has to do is double his career scoring average and he will be fine.
What’s the story on Jack Mack’s fall from grace?
Google the following:
Didier Drogba
To bad the issues for Columbus Crew SC are in preventing goals, not scoring them.
Great value to get him for the low cost of a draft pick. Just doesn’t excite me, because the defense is the Achilles heel.
Agreed – maybe we could have beaten Orlando 7-5? lol
For now in Berhalter I trust. Harrison Afful hopefully will help shore up the defense, and it’s not like the defense has been terrible ALL the time, just silly lapses that hopefully can be eliminated/reduced.
New CB coming in…Pogotitz is garbage
I think he’ll be a great fit stylistically with the Crew attack and still only 22, so I really like the move. It’s been scary all season to think that if Kamara goes down we’re stuck with Schoenfeld & Bedell as the only true Forwards on the roster.