The Columbus Crew were hoping to spend the offseason fixing an offense that struggled last year. The MLS team was looking to go the Designated Player route to find someone to spearhead the offense, but several targets fell through.
The Crew's big move might have flown under the league radar: They signed Chilean midfielder Milovan Mirosevic, a 31-year-old playmaking goal scorer.
The Chilean was signed in January on a free transfer from Universidad Catolica, for whom he scored 46 goals in 108 games and helped win a title in each of his three seasons. Columbus had been recruiting him for more than a year before it was able to make the deal. With little left to prove in Chile, Mirosevic was swayed by the growth of MLS.
Mirosevic was looking for another challenge outside his home country before his career wound down, and he decided the league was the perfect fit.
"This is a league (where) everything works properly," the soft-spoken Mirosevic explained. "The stadiums are nice, clubs are well managed. So that kind of things, of course, make me (decide) 'OK, lets try it.' "
Fellow Chilean national Sebastian Miranda was influential in his friend's decision.
"He is a friend of mine, and we (have the) sort of friendship that I know what kind of things he like," Mirosevic said. "Seba told me about it last year, so it was very helpful for me to decide (on) coming or not."
And if Miranda had not been with the Crew?
" . . . Maybe if he wasn't here, I don't know if I took the chance"
Mirosevic is a technical player who is deft with the ball at his feet. His passes are accurate, and he might be the best finisher on the team. Those are qualities that were in short supply last season as the Crew struggled on offense. That's why Mirosevic is seen as an instant impact player.
With the pressure of leading the Crew offense now falling on hi shoulders, Mirosevic knew he would need some time to mesh with a team that added several other new players to the lineup.
"I have to say that it’s been difficult for me," he said. "We have been trying to connect ourselves in the field; it hasn't been easy, but we knew about that."
He has proved vital to the Crew's offense in the team's first four games. He has recorded one penalty kick goal, against Montreal, and has taken a team-leading nine shots. He also has led the way with the most touches per game from his central midfield role.
Though he's experienced in the midfield, the central role is an adjustment for Mirosevic. So is playing with defensive midfielder Kirk Urso.
"I am (giving) my very best effort," Mirosevic said, "playing in the defensive position next to Urso, who is a guy that is playing his first games (as a pro).
"It is difficult for (Urso) playing with me and difficult for me to play with him. We have been trying to connect each other all the time, and of course, for me it is easier to go in offensive way, but when you play in that position, you have to do something else."
While Mirosevic said he's more used to playing behind the forwards, he's more than willing to put the team first.
"I think my game is completely into the team game. If we are good as a team; I will improve for sure."
The shift in position does have an impact on what type of player Mirosevic can be in Columbus. Being pushed back into a central role, he will act more as a creator and pacesetter. He will still have the occasional chance to break late into the box for a scoring opportunity, but his influence is less likely to show up on the stat sheet.
Off the field, Mirosevic has settled into his new home, thanks to the arrival of his family. "I really have been enjoying a lot of the city. All the things.
"My family was already here they are very comfortable. I am really fine with (living in Columbus). I'm comfortable."
Crew fans can only hope Mirosevic continues to adapt to life in MLS and become the central figure they need. He might not end up being the goal-scoring maestro he was in Chile, but it's already apparent he has plenty of talent and is eager to make an impact.
