Columbus Crew SC continue their impressive offseason picking up 2 top ten picks during the 2017 SuperDraft. Columbus continued their focus on rebuilding their defense, and added a fresh face to their offense for the first time this offseason.
Columbus Crew SC owner Anthony Precourt made it clear after the disastrous 2016 season that big changes coming to Columbus. Speaking with MLS.com, Precourt stated, “Expect us to be aggressive this off-season. We need to improve our roster”
We have already seen the Columbus defense undergo an overhaul with departures of club staples such as goalkeeper Steve Clark, as well as Captain and center back Michael Parkhurst. The Crew SC brought in their second Designated Player Jonathan Mensah to fill in the vacated center back role, and breathe new life into the Columbus defense.
Columbus continued their devotion to defense with their first pick in the 2017 SuperDraft, and added a new piece to their offense that had already performed well in 2016.
Round 1, Pick No. 5:
.@ColumbusCrewSC select @DaytonMSoccer forward @LALASABUBAKAR1 with the 5th overall pick. #SuperDraft pic.twitter.com/8u7xS5OLPl
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 13, 2017
Player: Lalas Abubakar
Position: Defender
School: University of Dayton
Going into the 2017 SuperDraft, Lalas Abubakar was thought of as one of the top defensive picks available. Columbus Crew SC finished 2016 with the second worst defense in MLS, so it came as no surprise that their first pick was defender Lalas Abubakar.
The 6’1″ defender from Accra, Ghana should feel right at home playing alongside his defensive teammates and Ghana natives Harrison Afful and Jonathan Mensah. With experience in Ghana’s U-20 national team, Lalas Abubakar is primed to make his MLS debut as a cog in the Columbus defense that has began to look strong enough to bring them back to the top of the Eastern Conference.
Grade: A
Round 1, Pick No. 9:
9th overall: @ColumbusCrewSC select forward Niko Hansen. #SuperDraft pic.twitter.com/CUorfTIqCQ
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 13, 2017
Player: Niko Hansen
Position: Forward
School: University of New Mexico
Columbus Crew SC picked up the 5’10” forward Niko Hansen with their second pick of round one. Hansen had scored 28 goals and registered 14 assists during his college career, and had proven to be good and the ball and useful on the wing.
The forward is fresh off the heels of his strongest college season, where he started all 21 matches for New Mexico, scored 13 goals and recorded three assists.
Where Hansen will fit into the strong Columbus offense at this point remains to be seen. Will he be a supporting player to the credible cast of Ola Kamara, Federico Higuaín, and Justin Meram? Or will Niko Hansen carve out his own path to a starting role in Columbus?
Grade: B+
Columbus had no draft picks in round 2, as they traded their Round 5 pick to Montrael in June (who traded the pick to Toronto, who traded the pick to Chicago).
Columbus Crew SC comes out of the SuperDraft looking strong as the 2017 season approaches. It will be interesting to see how many minutes Abubakar and Hansen can get in during their first season with Major League Soccer, and how their performances can impact the club.
Next: January 12th’s MLS Transfer Rumors and Dealings
What do you think about Columbus Crew SC’s first round draft picks? Let us know in the comment section at the bottom of the page, and stay tuned to MLS Multiplex for all you off-season news.