Monday, January 13, 2014

Parkhurst to Crew, Updated Depth Chart

The Columbus Crew announced today that US international Michael Parkhurst has signed with the franchise.

Bundesliga side FC Augsburg had terminated Parkhurst's contract but the Crew had to give up their 4th overall pick in the upcoming college draft and an undisclosed amount of allocation funds to the New England Revolution because they owned his league rights.

New England made it clear that they didn't want to carry his heavy contract (likely to be around $300k). Parkhurst was making around $150k when he left MLS for Denmark back in 2009.

1. DEPTH CHART, PROJECTED STARTERS
There are some open questions still. Biggest one for me will be Paladini or in the MF or slide Oduro or Arrieta over there. I happen to think that Gregg Berhalter will be hesitant to put a forward in the middle of the field.

GK: Steven Clark

RB: Chad Barson
CB: Michael Parkhurst
CB: Josh Williams
LB: Agustin Viana

CDM: Wil Trapp
CM: Tony Tchani

RM: Daniel Paladini
CAM: Federico Higuain
LM: Bernardo Anor

F: Dominic Oduro

2. BACKUPS (NON-STARTERS)

GK: Matt Lampson, Brad Stuver
CB: Tyson Wahl, Eric Gehrig
L/RB: Waylon Francis
CDM: Kevan George, Shawn Sloan
MID: Ben Speas, Justin Meram, Ethan Finlay
F: Jairo Arrieta, Ryan Finley, Aaron Schoenfeld

3. IN RESERVE, OR WITH DAYTON
Ross Friedman, Matt Walker, Daniel Withrow, college pick, Matt Wiet (injured)

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QUICK THOUGHTS

Columbus says they are still on the hunt for a goal scorer. Perhaps it's a bit of wishful thinking but it might be in the form of a central or right mid. Seeking an upgrade for both Tchani and Paladini should be high on the list.

It's also possible that Berhalter goes with two up top. If that's the case this team is nowhere near where it needs to be. With two up top, they will likely have to slide Parkhurst over to RB and look for another top CB as well as a target type forward for him to whip crosses into (which is what he did well in Denmark at RB and got him a deal in Germany's top league).

Expect more news from the Crew in the next few days leading up to the draft.

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