SPORTING DIRECTOR AND HEAD COACH GREGG BERHALTER
On if the trade of Kei Kamara was inevitable…
I wouldn’t say that. We didn’t take this decision lightly. It was a lot of deliberation, and in the end we chose what we felt was in the best interests of this soccer club, to put us in the best position to win not only this year, but win in the long term.
On how the trade puts the club in a better position to win…
A couple of ways, that’s a good question. First of all, I can understand potential frustration from the fans, but rest assured, we feel that this is going to make us stronger as a team. It will give us the flexibility to affect this group not only this year, but for years to come, with the type of deal and how it was structured. That’s the first point. The second thing is that this is a group, this is a locker room that we really believe in. These guys were handpicked and we feel it’s a strong group. We’re going to be just fine. It’s the strength of the collective that makes our playing style special. Most of our goals, most of our good play comes from four, five, six players getting on the ball and being influential. It’s not about one guy; it’s never been about one guy. I think this puts it all in perspective for us.
On if this stemmed solely from the events of the past week…
No, and I want to make that clear. This is another important point: it was not solely about this weekend, and that’s an important point. We’ve been evaluating this and this is something that we had to decide for the culture of the club what direction we were going to go in. It was not based on last weekend alone.
On what else went into the decision…
Here’s what I’ll say, and I think this is important as well: for me to give any other information or any other details, it’s exactly what I asked the players not to do, right? Talking about other players in the media. So I’m not prepared to do that. What I’d say is that we value our culture in this club. We value who we are and we value our playing style. The guys take pride in that and we take pride in that. This is something that will give us the flexibility to add to that and make an even stronger team in the long run.
On what changed over the last couple of months…
I don’t know.
On what the reaction from the rest of the team has been like…
It is a move to strengthen the team, but having said that, it’s not easy. It’s not easy for me. It’s not easy for the whole staff. This was a tough decision, guys. We don’t take this stuff lightly. Kei had a fantastic year last year, obviously on the field, but in the end, again, we feel like it’s a move that’s going to make this soccer team better in the long run.
On if it is possible to get enough assets back for a player like Kei Kamara…
That’s a tough question. I’d say that I think we did very well in this deal. When you look at all things combined, I think it’s an exceptional deal and I think the timing was right to get this type of value out of the player.
On how many offers he got for Kei Kamara…
I can’t really say specifically, I would say it was a handful. A small handful.
On if it was a mistake to renegotiate his contract…
Absolutely not. I think the way that we structured his deal shows a couple of things. The first thing is that Mr. Precourt is committed to performance. He’s committed to guys that are able to perform. The second thing is the way we structured it, we knew we would have the flexibility down the road if something like this came up that we’d be able to make a move.
On if the move was solely for off-field reasons…
No, and the question would be, how do you define ‘perform?’ Is it solely based on goals? And the next question would be, can we find someone or do we have someone that can replicate a similar performance? And can other guys pick up the slack to balance some of the goals that Kei scored? When you look at last year, the scoring was tilted heavily in Kei’s account. The year before, it was more equally distributed, but in the end we didn’t score that many more goals. There’s no doubt that Kei’s presence will be missed to a certain extent, but we feel that we can – certainly with other guys stepping up their performance – we feel like we can compensate for that.
On if Kamara is happy with the move…
I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to him about that.
On when he noticed Kamara not being happy or running into any issues…
That’s a tough question to answer. I can’t speak directly for Kei, so I wouldn’t be able to answer that question effectively.
On if Crew SC retained any of Kei’s salary…
No.
On if the team will approach its attack with Kei gone…
It will be different. Kei is the best aerial threat in the League, so obviously we’re going to have to think about serving high crosses in. We’ll still get crosses, they’ll be different in nature, but we’ll still look to get the ball in the box, certainly.
On if the move is popular in the locker room…
I can’t speak for everyone. I’d say that we communicated it to the group, we communicated the reasons why, we communicated that it wasn’t a light decision; we didn’t take that lightly. In the end, we think it’s the best for this group.
On what he says to supporters about the move…
That I understand the frustration. I understand it. That’s where you have to believe in this group like we do. We know it’s a strong team. We know that everyone we do is for the city. We take that very seriously. Our identity – who we are – is for this city. We take great pride in our playing style and we take great pride in the culture of this club. It’s all for Columbus.
On if Kei apologizing would have altered the outcome…
That’s a tough one. I wish it was the other way. We don’t like to be in the media for these types of reasons and I wish it would have been handled differently. I can’t say one way or another.
On how difficult it has been for him to make this decision…
It’s difficult. What I’d say is that we care for each and every one of these guys. Every failure that we have individually, it reflects on leadership. I’m disappointed. Of course I’m disappointed. On the bright side, I look at, we almost had [a player who won] Golden Boot last year, almost the MVP, we had a Best XI guy. He brought a lot of energy and gave us a lot for that year. I tend to look at the positive. In sports, it happens where players come and go. It happens where integral players come and go. That’s part of our business, unfortunately.
On if there was any way to work out the differences for Kei to stay…
We had to evaluate what was offered to us. In the end, evaluating what we were offered, we felt like it’s going to make us stronger in the long run and it made more sense for this soccer team in the long run.
On if the message got across to players so they know not to speak out against each other…
I think that’s kind of the unwritten rule of a locker room anyway. That’s something that is part of a team. It was unfortunate that that happened. Soccer is an emotional game. There’s a lot of emotion involved that goes into results and performance. I understand that side of it. We’re working with guys all the time about controlling their emotions, being levelheaded and making right decisions when they’re emotional.
On what his conversation with Anthony Precourt was like…
We went through the decision-making process. Again, it wasn’t an easy process. We looked at a lot of different data points, a lot of different information that we had been assembling. Then you’re looking at what you’re offered from different teams, and in the end you make a decision that you think is going to help this group win today and help this group win in the long run.
On if Ola Kamara is the obvious replacement for Kei Kamara…
Yes.
On his confidence in Ola Kamara given his lack of minutes this season…
We know that Kei took a bulk of minutes and we know that we are going to have to get [Ola] integrated as quickly as possible. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, but we’re going to give it our best effort to get him on track as quickly as possible.
On Kei Kamara’s reaction when he was informed…
Any private conversation that I have with a player, I’m going to leave private.
On if Kei was surprised…
Again, I’m going to stick to that same answer.
On his confidence in the group to accomplish great things…
That’s the track record of this group. It’s a lot of similar guys from last year and the year before. We’re building something good. When I think about some of the past successes we’ve had and how the city was behind us and how we’re behind them, the tide has changed in Columbus. We really take our role in this city seriously. I would say that, rest assured, we’re going to come out ahead. We’re going to be okay on this.
On how much of the funds received from New England will be used to acquire new players…
So, to clarify, the Giancarlo [Gonzalez sale] was a different situation where you can actually use money for operations. This money is all going to be used toward players.
On if supporters should expect a forward signing soon…
I would expect that we’re going to look to strengthen the squad in any area that we need to. I wouldn’t necessarily say it would be at the striker position. I would say that we’re going to evaluate the squad and we’re going to look to make the team better.
On his confidence with Ola Kamara and Conor Casey as the club’s forward group and if he needs to bring someone else in for depth…
We’ll see. If you look at the minutes that both of them have gotten thus far this season, one striker gets a lot of minutes, so we’ll see how that works.
On other striker options already on the roster…
I think the starting point will be Ola and Conor. Both proven goal-scorers in good leagues.
On how he reconciles that Kei Kamara was Humanitarian of the Year but was traded due to perceived off-field issues…
When you say an off-the-field issue, it wasn’t about what happened last week. This was about us feeling we can put the soccer team in a better position by dealing him. It sounds difficult to explain. It came to a point where we felt that the culture of the club was very important – protecting the culture of the club, protecting what we have inside the locker room, protecting what we have on the field was important to us.
On if he believes that had last week’s incident not happened, if Kamara would have been traded…
I don’t know. The trade deadline was still last night, so something still could have happened. I can’t answer that question.
On if he had been having conversations about trading Kamara prior to last weekend…
I would say that a lot of conversations ramped up after this weekend. That would be fair to say.
On if it is a good thing that Crew SC is playing Saturday…
It’s always a good thing to play. You guys asked me about Wednesday’s game [against Veracruz]. It’s always good to get out on the field. The guys like to compete. The guys like to get out there. We look to show what type of team we are and we have another chance to do it in front of our home fans. We’re looking forward to it.
On the challenges of getting the club focused for Saturday…
They’ll be ready. That’s our job to get them ready. We’ll be ready to play. We have a great team coming to town, great start to the season, playing good soccer, very aggressive attacking style soccer. It’s going to be a good game. We’ll be ready.
On if he would have preferred to get a player back in the deal…
No. In my opinion it’s the better way. This gives us flexibility. This gives us flexibility to look at every position and [ask], where can we get stronger? Instead of using all those funds on potentially one guy that may or may not be the right fit.
On if he has ever coached a player like Kei Kamara…
I don’t know. Kei is a unique personality, certainly. I can’t say I know every player in this League or have worked closely with every player in this League, so it is hard to tell, but he certainly has a unique personality.
On if improving the culture in the locker room is the long-term advantage…
I would say it’s two-fold. That certainly has one element to it, but the other element is that we have the funds to add someone this year. We have roster spots to add someone this year, we have an international roster spot to add someone this year. That’s flexibility. Then you look at potentially in the draft and in the future, we’re in good shape from that angle.
On if he expects to have two international spots soon…
We acquired a new one and we have Waylon [Francis’] Green Card pending, which would open up another one.
On if he would have preferred to not trade Kei within the Eastern Conference…
A little bit, when you’re thinking about it and trying to be strategic about it, it would have been, I think, more beneficial to send him to the West. But it’s going to make for some great games against New England, that’s for sure, a lot of attention around those games. It was something where it was inevitable due to the nature of a lot of teams in the West [having] three [Designated Players]. The teams that didn’t, we had conversations with and it wasn’t near what we could have gotten from the teams in the East.
On if the trade rumors with Vancouver were real…
No.
On if he talked to Vancouver…
We had had a conversation.
On if the conversations were advanced…
No.
On how close to the deadline the deal was finished…
Pretty close, pretty close.
On if there is any change with Federico Higuain’s status…
If he’s selected [on Saturday], he’ll play.
On if he expects to select Federico Higuain to play on Saturday…
I never give my lineup (laughs) (reporter: “He’s started every game this season when he’s been available”). Then I would say there’s probably a good chance you’d see him on the field.
DEFENDER MICHAEL PARKHURST
On if Kei Kamara’s trade was inevitable in hindsight…
I don’t know if it was inevitable. We all knew that it was possible in the last few days. We’re on Twitter, we know what’s going on. When we didn’t hear anything last night we thought that maybe it doesn’t happen. We got the news this morning. That’s how we found out, we found out this morning.
On if there was a repeated history with Kei Kamara incidents…
I would say that for the most part Kei [Kamara] is a great teammate. Kei [Kamara] and I had a good relationship while he was here. It wasn’t just a one-off incident, I’m sure Gregg [Berhalter] has addressed that. This is a team-first culture and that’s the way it is and that’s the way it’s going to be for now and for always. That’s why they made the move and we support the staff.
On how the team moves on after the trade…
I don’t think we need to rebuild. I think that we’ve still got a very good group together. I think that we’ve got a lot of veterans within the team. Like Gregg [Berhalter] said this morning to us, we all need to step up. We lose a big piece on the field and that’s no secret. Kei [Kamara] has been very, very good, very productive for us during his time here. We can’t expect one guy to go in there and replace what he brought on the field. It’s up to all of us to step up and we need to do it immediately because we have a game in a couple days.
On what he has to say to the fans following the trade…
I’m sure there are mixed emotions amongst fans but I’d ask that they stick with us. That they put their faith into Gregg [Berhalter] and the staff, that they know what’s best for this team. The player’s, we’re going to do everything possible to get back to the championship again this year.
MIDFIELDER FEDERICO HIGUAIN
On if it was obvious that Kei Kamara was going to be traded eventually…
I have nothing to say about it. My only worry right now is that Columbus Crew SC is not [in the playoffs]. On my mind is, try to win games for this team where I believe we have to be.
On if Kei Kamara’s trade was good for the team…
It’s not my problem. I want the best for this team. That’s it.
On if this move was the best for the team at this moment…
I’m a soccer player.
On if all of the controversy this past week was “silly”…
I don’t know. I really don’t know.
On his confidence in Crew SC’s offense…
A lot. Even when we are defending it’s about the team. When we are in offensive position, when we are in offensive movements it’s also about the team. I believe that we are ready to play good soccer the next game.
On what kind of teammate Kei Kamara was…
I have nothing to say. Sorry. I’m here to play soccer.
On why he did not allow Kei Kamara to take the penalty kick…
Nothing to say. Sorry.
On how the team moves on from this trade…
I believe we are a good team. You could see last night, when this team plays games, Veracruz from Mexico, we did a very good job. No matter who plays, I think this team; this club will defend when it’s time to play soccer. They have to be defending by strong people and I believe that we are strong people.
On his thoughts of Ola Kamara’s play…
I hope the best for him, as the rest of my teammates.
On if Ola Kamara is a good player…
I believe so.
On how tough the past week has been…
It was a bad moment for me.
On if this team is better today than yesterday…
I don’t know. Again, no matter who plays, it matters the idea. I believe we want to play like our staff [and the] coach wants. We have to do it.
On the team chemistry with new guys like Ola Kamara and Conor Casey…
They are different. Conor [Casey] is a good guy into the box, calling the ball. Ola [Kamara] is a guy who makes good runs. Also plays good into the box. I wish them the best.
MIDFIELDER WIL TRAPP
On his overall reaction to everything going on…
It’s never fun to lose a teammate. But I think, we stand behind Gregg’s [Berhalter] decision. He’s our leader and we’re going to go where he takes us. I think we can’t focus too much on it, we have a game on Saturday against the best team in MLS right now. As much as the media wants to talk about it, we have to move forward.
On how challenging it is to move forward so quickly after something like Kamara’s trade…
It’s never easy. It’s a big test for this group in the locker room, character-wise and culture-wise even. We’re going to respond well.
On already preparing for Saturday’s match without Kei Kamara since he would have been suspended anyway…
It’s important. You saw Ola [Kamara] last night got the goal. I saw Conor [Casey] get 45 minutes in and I thought he did well also. It’s huge to have those guys in the mix already, already knowing that they’re going to be playing most likely. Which one will be fine, we don’t know yet. Obviously getting 45 minutes under their belt last night was important.
FORWARD OLA KAMARA
On if there is a new weight on his shoulders…
No. Honestly, I told you guys I’ve played for teams that also have pressure before and I play for my national team as well. The pressure is a part of the game. I’ve been a professional for 10 years so this is not new. I think it’s exciting. Now I have the possibility to play in front of the crowd. I loved it yesterday; coming to the stadium, hearing the bus. I’m just looking forward to Saturday to be honest.
On the differences between Ola and Kei Kamara…
I think, of course Kei [Kamara] is a taller guy, a bigger guy. I think that I move a little bit more that Kei [Kamara]. Hopefully that can be good. Colorado as well, they have two big defenders as I saw them yesterday. Maybe we can run around them, get some chances. This team plays very good soccer so hopefully I can get a lot of chances as well. How we play, I think it suits me very well.
FORWARD CONOR CASEY
On if he has ever witnessed an incident like Kamara and Higuain’s before…
Maybe not so publicly. I think that every team you have guys that may not necessarily be best friends. But, you get on with it professionally. Unfortunately it boiled over to the public, which is kind of part of the culture now; media, etc. It’s unfortunate but it happens and I think that both for Kei [Kamara] and the club, I think that everyone will have success in the future.
On if there is a new weight on his shoulders…
No. I think that, regardless, you have to be ready to play. That doesn’t really change.
On the depth order coming into Columbus…
No. I knew that I would be not considered a starter for sure and be there to help for injuries or what have you. But I feel very good, I feel fit. The club has done a great job of keeping guys who not necessarily have played every weekend fit and ready to go. Everybody here is here for a reason so we’re going to be ready to play.
