Williams a veteran option in back
Central defender Josh Williams has not been in Gregg Berhalter’s lineup for either of the first two Crew SC games. It doesn’t mean, however, that the coach lacks confidence to plug in the veteran as a spot starter.
Saturday night at D.C. United might be the type of situation Berhalter envisioned when he signed the 28- year- old in January.
“I think that’s one of the reasons we brought him in — the experience,” Berhalter said Thursday. “We know what he can do. He has experience, but he also has good leadership qualities. So that’s why he is here.”
Berhalter isn’t ready to name a replacement for Jonathan Mensah, who will miss the game because of a red card he received in a 3- 1 loss to the Houston Dynamo. 7 p.m. Saturday Ch. 53, Spectrum Sports WWCD-FM (102.5), WVKO-FM (103.1, in Spanish)
The candidates are Williams, a veteran of 103 MLS games and 93 starts, and rookies Alex Crognale and Lalas Abubakar, who have yet to play in a match.
Given the fact the Crew ( 0- 1- 1) is winless and playing on the road, Berhalter might lean toward a player with Williams’ track record.
He also has played in the coach’s system in his first stint with the Crew, from 2010 to ’14.
“That’s one thing I pride myself on, showing up to work every day and mentally preparing myself to play,” Williams said. “You basically prepare like you are starting. I’ve done that throughout my career.”
Berhalter had Crognale in uniform for the opener, a 1- 1 tie against the Chicago Fire, and Abubakar at Houston. The coach said the club has spent the past few days getting the youngsters “up to speed” if he decides to start one.
“I think all of us are ready,” said Abubakar, the team’s first-round pick.
All three defenders took turns playing alongside starter Nicolai Naess in preseason training, so there should be some familiarity.
Williams doesn’t think the team will have to change the way it plays regardless of who gets the start.
Williams certainly has the most experience in shifting formations, should the Crew opt to switch from a fourback alignment to three central defenders. He spent last season with Toronto FC, which frequently played three defenders in the back on the way to reaching the MLS Cup final.
“A good team is able to play a number of formations with success,” Williams said.
Crew cuts
Goalkeeper Zack Steffen returned to practice Thursday after suffering a shoulder injury in the second half of the loss to the Dynamo. … D.C. United ( 0- 1- 1) has yet to score a goal in two games, but Berhalter says little can be read into that given the sample size. “Their top four ( attacking players) with how they work are interesting,” the coach said. “They pose a lot of problems with their variation and their movement on the ball.”