Crew SC announced today that it has re-signed midfielder Hector Jimenez and goalkeeper Brad Stuver. Both players started their stints with Columbus in 2014 and have played an integral part on the team for the last three seasons.
“Both of these individuals have meant a lot to the team — both on the field and in the locker room,” Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter says. “Brad’s a guy who, given his limited opportunity, still was very positive and pushing every single day to get better. And Hector’s a guy that no matter what position we put him in, he’s willing to step up to help the team. That’s valuable. Every club needs players like that.”
With their contributions on the field, their work rates in training and their team-first mentalities, Jimenez and Stuver have a positive impact on the team as a whole.
WATCH: Hector Jimenez on re-signing with Crew SC
“Hector’s a guy that brings people together — a very genuine individual and a very likable person,” Berhalter says. “And we see him, virtually with the whole team, getting along with everyone and really bringing people together, which is an important quality.”
WATCH: Brad Stuver on re-signing with Crew SC
Stuver’s improving confidence and ability to flourish under pressure and Jimenez’s versatility and adaptability are more illustrations of how this team is developing. And as Berhalter continues fulfilling his commitment to improving Crew SC’s roster for 2017, Jimenez and Stuver are important pieces of the Black & Gold.
“This is a part of the continuity of the team that we think is important,” Berhalter says. “We talked about being disappointed with the season, but not getting rid of the core group of players, and these guys certainly are responsible for being part of this core.”
Crew SC recently re-signed forward Adam Jahn and will continue to make adjustments to its roster this off-season — something the Black & Gold boss assures us is not easy.
“I think that’s always the difficult part,” he says. “Particularly after a year like we had, we have to look ourselves hard in the mirror and evaluate, and that means tough decisions are going to be made. All we want is to build a strong team and a team that can compete at the top of the East.”
