Tuesday, the Columbus Crew introduced their new Head Coach and Sporting Director Gregg Berhalter at a press conference at Crew Stadium.
The new boss was introduced by President Mark McCullers and Investor-Operator Anthony Precourt, and said that his immediate priority is assessing the team's roster.
"I've been looking at the roster, looking at the salary cap, we've been preparing for the preseason next year and looking at potential staff members," Berhalter said. "It's been a busy week, and we're trying to get organized and move forward. The month is going to come quickly, in terms of what things to do. There's a lot to get done, but first and most importantly was analyzing the roster, and looking at what we need to do for next year."
Though Berhalter has never shied away from admitting that he will need to make roster movements, he isn't willing to elaborate on what kind of player he hopes to bring in just yet.
"I think that answer will reveal a little too much, a little more than I'm willing to reveal right now," he said.
But Berhalter also suggested that the roster isn't far from where he thinks it needs to be.
"I'm pleased with what I see. I think there are some improvements that could be made, but it's a good group of guys," he said. "It's a team that's hungry, it's a team that's driven, it's a team that wants to be successful. And there's no greater satisfaction for a coach than working with a team like that."
That hunger and drive is something that Berhalter obviously identified with. And though he might seem cool and collected, he said that he can become just as animated as the players when he's on the sidelines.
"I am emotional. Obviously you get caught up in emotion during the game. I don't lose it too much, in terms of going crazy, but players need to feel that the coach is with them in that battle," he said. "They need to feel emotional. And of course I'm emotional. When you're fighting together or competing together, there's adrenaline, there's a sense of camaraderie, and I'm in it with them."
While Berhalter looks to pick his roster, he won't be the only one with input about the team. He is hoping to build a support group of a coaching staff to help him along the way, and wants to hire a Director of Soccer Operations to help with roster choices and financial concerns.
"I'm not up here saying that I'm doing this all alone," Berhalter said. "I think the strength of the organization is going to be the structure that we put in and the staffing. I certainly need help, and we're going to look for individuals who can fill those roles appropriately."
Despite his history as a defender for the LA Galaxy and United States National Team, Berhalter says there's no reason to assume that he will be a defensive-minded coach simply because of his playing days.
"I don't think you need to make that connection," he said. "My ideas about soccer are attacking-minded views, a dynamic team that can get forward very quickly that can move the ball quickly.
"I believe in a possession based game. The defensive side of it has to do with organization. I want an organized defensive team... My ideas about soccer are very offensive, and I want the team to play very nice, attractive football."
While he has visited Spanish giant FC Barcelona and talks of a possession-based game, Berhalter doesn't want Crew fans to expect Barcelona's Tiki-Taka style in MLS.
"I'm not naïve. [Barcelona] play the game at a different level," he said. "And although I might emulate them, although I might admire them, teams like Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, it would be naïve of me to come here and say that's how we're going to play."
