*gags*
OK, now that we got that out of the way, here are the new recruits the Crew picked up in the draft:
1. Andy Iro
Defender
6-5 205 lbs.
UC Santa Barbara
Big West Defensive Player of the Year for 2005-2007.
Interesting Note: He's from Liverpool, England. So, he'll never walk alone.
Analysis: We really like this pick. There was some rumor that he might head overseas, but he committed to the Crew at the draft and seemed very happy. It was because of that uncertainty that he fell to number six overall. He should compete right away to start on the back line.
Replacement for: Chad Marshall/Ezra Hendrickson
(Not that either are leaving, just saying, you can't have 3 center backs)
2. Geroge Josten
Forward/Midfielder
6-0 180 lbs.
Gonzaga University
34 career goals tied for third all-time at school
Analysis: He reminds us very much of Jason Garey, which could be good or bad, depending on how you feel about the rarely utilized Crew forward. I think he will end up sticking as a reserve who maybe comes in as a sub, if he sees the field at all.
Negative: Known for his ability to play with his back to the goal. Sigi likes this about him. I don't.
Let me ask a simple question: Why the hell do we need ANOTHER forward who plays with his back to the goal? Does Sigmund not know we already have Eddie Gaven AND Alejandro Moreno? I like both of those guys, but we need someone who can fly to the goal and finish, not another possession forward that doesn't finish.
Replacement for: Jason Garey/Kei Kamara
3. Ricardo Pierre-Louis
Forward
6-1 177 lbs.
Lee University (NAIA)
NAIA 2007 Player of the Year
Interesting Note: He has 26 caps with the Hatian senior national team, including the Gold Cup.
Analysis:This is the guy who can fly to the goal and finish. He scored 101 goals in 63 career games at Lee. We know it was in NAIA, but how can you overlook a goal and a half per game? That's unreal. Regardless of the level of competition, the fact that he can put shots on frame is very encouraging, especially witnessing the anemic attack we had last year. If he can keep his form and find any sort of regularity against MLS competition, it's not unreasonable to expect him to chip in 8-10 goals this season.
Also, he and Josten both scored in a game at the combine where they were paired together, which no doubt helped the Crew make their decision to trade up to get Pierre-Louis after they landed Josten.
Color us "excited" for this pick.
Replacement for: Andy Herron/Jacob Thomas
4. Ryan Miller
Midfield/Defense
5-11 160 lbs.
Notre Dame
Named to Big East 2006-2007 Academic All Star Team
Analysis: He's a decent pickup, nothing spectacular. Sigi likes him because he's a left-footed defender, something we can always use. With the uncertainty at left back last year (see: Rusty Pierce, Tim Ward), and the possibility of Marcos Gonzalez being transferred, this is a necessary and sound pickup.
Replacement for: Rusty Pierce/Tim Ward/Marcos Gonzalez
5. Steven Lenhart
Forward
6-1
Couldn't find his weight, so we go with 223 lbs. Here's hoping he's built like Chris Wells.
Azusa Pacific
MVP and Outstanding Offensive Player of the 2007 NAIA Tournament.
Analysis: Our final pick, he is another scorer, having hit 16 goals this season, including 9 game winners. Doubt if he ever sees the pitch for the Crew, but you never know. Here's hoping he's the next Ante Razov.
Err...the version that everyone else got, not Razov the Crew got. Right.
Also, we're really excited that that Steven Lenhart went to APU...
Overall, this looks like a good draft for the Crew. We'll know more when we see what these guys become over the next few years, but it's good to see that we're getting a huge presence in the back, and some scoring options. Hopefully Iro lives up to his billing, and one of the forwards we picked up can turn into a scoring threat.
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