Photo by Brad Smith/ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
Another U.S. Men’s National Team player may soon be joining the Columbus Crew.
Crew head coach Gregg Berhalter said following his side’s practice on Thursday morning that a representative of a U.S. player reached out to him on Wednesday. Berhalter did not identify the player, but was intrigued by the opportunity that unexpectedly presented itself to him.
“I don’t want to say names, but I got a call yesterday about a guy who wanted to specifically come to Columbus,” Berhalter told reporters. “A big national team player, and I thought that was interesting. All of a sudden we’re getting calls where people are coming to us.”
The Crew currently have the top spot in the allocation order and appear willing to use it before the summer transfer window closes on Aug. 6.
One way or the other.
“We can get anyone,” Berhalter said. “As long as ownership says, ‘Let’s do it,’ we can get anyone. We’re in the position. We play good enough football that anyone would want to come play with us. I think that spot is very valuable to us for that reason. To say that we’re just a placeholder in that, that’s not true.”
On Wednesday, the Chicago Fire confirmed interest in Jermaine Jones, and a source told SBI that the LA Galaxy were lining up a move for Sacha Kljestan. Columbus, however, would have first rights to both players if they go through the allocation process.
Columbus signed U.S. fullback Michael Parkhurst, who returned to MLS after six years in Europe, in January.
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Which “big” USMNT player do you think wants to head to Columbus? Think the Crew are just posturing before the end of the summer transfer window? Should the club make a push for either Kljestan or Jones?
Share your thoughts below.