A Cardinal for the Crew

Draft day was a day of uncertainty for University of Louisville midfielder Othaniel Yanez. He wasn't sure he would be drafted; he would have hours to think about his future and any options he might have. The future came calling in a big way when the Columbus Crew drafted him in the fourth round (61st overall). Yanez understood how big an opportunity this would be; joining one of the elite clubs in Major League Soccer was something to be thankful for.

Othaniel believes he can add depth to the squad and contribute when called upon, while learning as much as possible. He is adjusting to the speed of play and is becoming more comfortable with the system utilized by the Crew. Yanez saw his first action as a pro in a preseason match against the U.S. U-17 National Team. He came away impressed with the future stars of American soccer, even though the Crew clearly dominated the U-17s."The subs played as well as the starters," Yanez stated. "They were a strong team, very deep."

He is ready for this new journey in his life. "The University of Louisville prepared me well," Yanez commented. "They have a pretty good system [there]; they are doing it right." The next few weeks will be incredibly important for the young midfielder as the Crew make final decisions about their squad for the 2010 season.

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