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Perhaps Mirosevic is a 'False Ten'

Mirosevic the Crew's Cesc?

Earlier, I talked about where to play Milovan Mirosevic. He's a player that has a nose for the goal and times his runs well. These are extremely valuable assets for a goal scoring midfielder. I again thought about Mirosevic when I read journalist Tom Williams talking about the role of the 'False 10', the playmaker who fills the position of a No. 10 playmaker, but may often lead the forward line instead:

In the 2011-12 season, the player whose profile most closely fits the bill of the ‘false 10′ is Cesc Fàbregas. In Barcelona's new 3-1-4-2 configuration, it is he who can most often be found breaking beyond the forward line from midfield and bursting into the penalty area. Indeed, in the early part of the season, despite operating in a hinterland between his colleagues in midfield and attack, Fàbregas managed to contribute five goals in his first seven appearances. With his well-timed runs, intuitive movement and accomplished finishing, there is no truer example of the false 10.

Obviously, the Crew isn't Barcelona and Mirosevic isn't Fàbregas, but there are similarities between the two. While Mirosevic can set up goals he is much better at finding space and firing off a shot himself as his goal record can attest to. He wouldn't have to be the creator for the Crew offense or be the defensive cog, but he would be able to sit between the midfield and defense, break past the forwards, and use his burst of speed to find open space or pull a defender out of position.

This play is predicated on someone being able to get him the ball. Fàbregas has Iniesta, Xavi, Messi, and the rest of the Barca team to feed him great passes. Mirosevic would rely on the skills of Duka, Gaven, Renteria, and perhaps Vargas to thread passes to him. Not to say it's likely that Warzycha will try this, but it certainly would be interesting.

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Talking with William Hesmer, Ben Speas, and Ethan Finlay

Massive Report's Managing Editor Patrick Guldan talk all things 2012 with Columbus Crew goal keeper William Hesmer and rookies Ben Speas and Ethan Finlay.

Video produced by Media Editor Sam Fahmi.

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Where Does Mirosevic Play?

Milovan Mirosevic in the Black and Gold (Photo: Columbus Crew)

Milovan Mirosevic arrived at training Tuesday to great fanfare. He's the key to the 2012 Crew's success in a lot of ways. He's a veteran who expected to be control the flow of the offense. He's also a goal scorer in a midfield that doesn't score goals. He appears to be the piece of the puzzle that the team has missed since 2008.

Talking with Warzycha yesterday, he was still evaluating where Mirošević would play. He's comfortable in central midfield or behind the striker, but Warzycha wouldn't say where his new signing would play on the field, waiting to see how he would interact with the players on the team.

That won't stop me from speculating. The staff is hoping he's the type of player to control the tempo of the game and also score a lot of goals. His record with Universidad Católica is impeccable, he's scored nearly a goal every two games from his midfield position. The Crew can use that type of firepower from an anemic midfield.

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For the Crew, This January is Different Than the Last.

Ah, training camp. A lot of running, a lot of stretching, and a lot of new faces.

This year’s Columbus Crew training camp is chock full of new faces and names, and there are more on the way. Ethan Finlay, Kevan George, Matt Lampson, Carlos Mendes, Aubrey Perry, Ben Speas and Kirk Urso were the new faces that were running around the indoor field today, in addition to a handful of trialists and “guests.”

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The Nordecke is Throwing a Party

Photo

Do you miss your Columbus Crew friends, or do you want to make some new ones? Are you counting the days until March 10th (52)? Do you like to support a good cause, while all the while singing of the myriad ways the Chicago Fire are inferior to the Crew?


Well, you’re in luck my Crew brothers and sisters, for this Friday, January 20th, the Nordecke is throwing a party. From 4pm until we get thrown out into the streets, the Three Legged Mare will be hosting the second monthly Nordecke Social.

Born out of a need to fund the burgeoning expansion of Nordecke Tifo visual displays, the three Official Columbus Crew Supporters Groups have joined forces to shorten the offseason and bring alcohol to the people for a good cause. The Three Legged Mare, 401 N Front Street, will be hosting this month’s event and donating $1 from each of three drink specials to the Nordecke Tifo Fund.

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Thoughts On Supplemental Draft Picks

Jaime Finch (Photo by Rick Morrison)

The Columbus Crew selected four players in yesterday’s MLS Supplemental Draft: defensive midfielder Kirk Urso from North Carolina, left-back Jaime Finch from Washington, forward Darren Amoo from Liberty (Virginia), and forward Andrew Bulls from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Urso is the most experienced of the four. He was a four-year starter at UNC and won the NCAA College Cup last season. He likes to keep possession in midfield and play the smart pass. Even with his pedigree, Urso will have a hard time making the Crew’s final roster, as Danny O’Rourke, Tony Tchani, Rich Balchan, Eric Gehrig, Cole Grossman, and 2012 SuperDraft pick Kevan George can all play that position.

Finch was a First-Team All-Pac-12 player in 2011 at Washington. He plays left-back, arguably Columbus’ weakest position. Finch is a good passer for a defender, recording five assists last year.

A native of Ghana, Amoo is Liberty’s all-time leading scorer with 37 goals, including seven last year.

Bulls is listed as a forward/right midfielder. As a sophomore, Bulls scored 15 goals while also recording 11 assists. His goal tally decreased his junior year to five, but he increased his assist total to 15, third in the nation in 2010. However, he only managed to score five times and set up two goals last year.

Of the four players selected by Columbus, Finch has the best chance of making the roster. He has a lot of experience at a position the Crew have been looking to find an answer for. Although not invited to the MLS Combine, Finch’s future may be bright.

You can follow Urso (@kurso369), Finch (@ImCalledFinch), Amoo (@boxfreshdazza), and Bulls (@AndrewBulls) on Twitter.

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Crew Selects Four In Supplemental Draft

The Crew added four more players in today's MLS Supplemental Draft. The team selected North Carolina defensive midfielder Kirk Urso, left back Jamie Finch from the University of Washington, forward Darren Amoo from Liberty, and Andrew Bulls a winger/forward out of Maryland-Baltimore County College to add to the three college players selected last week.

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The 2012 Crew Lineup

Fans are hoping Eddie Gaven, Dilly Duka, and Sebastian Miranda celebrate many more goals in 2012. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

While some of these players may be injured for First Kick, this is the lineup that I believe will start the majority of the Columbus Crew’s games this year (barring injuries):

Starters: William Hesmer, Sebastian Miranda, Chad Marshall, Julius James, Shaun Francis, Danny O’Rourke, Eddie Gaven, Milovan Mirosevic, Dilly Duka, Emilio Renteria, Olman Vargas

Subs: Andy Gruenebaum, Carlos Mendes, Rich Balchan, Tony Tchani, Bernardo Anor, Ben Speas, Justin Meram

Other likely sub options: Eric Gehrig, Tom Heinemann

With this starting XI and seven substitutes, Columbus will have every area of the field covered. Gruenebaum is the backup goalie. Mendes and Balchan can fill in anywhere across the back four. Balchan can also play in the center of midfield, along with Tchani. Anor, Speas, and Meram can all play on the wings, while Speas and Meram can also fill in at striker.

(A graphic of my desired formation and placement of the starters is after the jump)

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