Elmar Bolowich and the Creighton Bluejays begin another quest for an elusive national championship Friday, August 30. Each day this week, WBR will preview the 2013 version of the Jays position by position. Click here to read them all.
It is nearly impossible to replace the creativity and talent of a player like graduating senior Jose ‘Choco’ Gomez, a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy last season and at the center of most Creighton attacks. Gomez possessed a flair unseen in many players in College or MLS for that matter. However, Creighton has a stable of capable players that will make this aspect of the squad not only deep but in all likelihood the real strength of the team in 2013.
Returning starters Zach Barnes, Bruno Castro, and Timo Pitter will be asked to do much of the creating now the Gomez is out. In particular it could be Castro or Sonny Makh who are asked to play the attacking midfield role. Freshman Ricardo Perez has all the tools necessary to step right into the spot, but the Colorado Rapids man must first catch up to the speed of play. Perez will be an important piece for this midfield moving forward.
Few players find themselves in as different a position as sophomore Christian Blandon. He was excellent in 2012 as a striking option coming off the bench and working his tail off. Elmar Bolowich moved Blandon to a defensive central midfield role in the spring. Christian was outstanding in that role, displaying his natural toughness and spirit helping to break down the other teams attack as well as start our own. He will likely partner with Barnes as the first choice midfield pairing.
Blandon’s emergence helps fill a gap left by Brent Kallman, who has since joined his brother at Minnesota United. Kallman became a real talisman in 2012 for the Jays coming up with big goals and key interventions in the midfield. The 2013 Jays will be looking to Barnes to become this type of player.
Zach Barnes (Senior)
Zach Barnes (#12)
Barnes will assume the captaincy with juniors Alex Bolowich and Eric Miller. Barnes will be deployed as a defensive midfielder with license to get forward. He is Creighton’s most durable player next to Miller and will be asked to lead the midfield into some hostile environments this season. Barnes is no stranger to big time games. He’s played for the Texas super-club Dallas Texans as well as represented the U.S. in youth competition for the national team. He played with Portland this summer and is seen as the most pro-ready Creighton player. A solid season for the Jays could see Barnes enter mock drafts as a solid first round pick.
Bruno Castro (#7)
Bruno Castro (Senior)
One of the first things Creighton Coach Elmar Bolowich did when he left Chapel Hill for Omaha was secure the services of Castro. Bruno understands Bolowich’s system and is willing to both defend at a high rate as well as constantly attack. Few players on the roster possess the creativity of the Costa Rican. He was been a mainstay on the left flank over the last few season, yet this season he should see a good deal of time in the hole right behind the striker in the 4-2-3-1 formation.
Christian Blandon (Sophomore)
Christian Blandon (#20)
Blandon’s tireless work ethic has made him a fan favorite over the last season. He is continually running opening up space of teammates and causing havoc for the opposition. His transition to the midfield seems like another Bolowich masterful move, as Blandon partners wonderfully with the move stay at home Barnes. Blandon’s grit will be a welcome addition to a midfield that loses Kallman and enters play against some of the more creative players in the country that apply their trade in the Big East.
Timo Pitter (#18)
Timo Pitter (Sophomore)
Pitter returns to Creighton following his breakout freshman campaign which saw him lead the Jays in scoring. He was a diamond that Bolowich was able to excavate from German football. Pitter has one of the more lethal lefts in college and will be closely monitored by every team moving forward. It will be interesting to see how Pitter reacts to being the focal point of a scouting report but the diminutive German is up for the challenge.
Vincent Keller (Sophomore)
Vincent Keller (#4)
Keller was another great Bolowich find in Germany. He came in and started right away for the Jays as a right back when Miller was played as a defensive mid. Keller found his way into left/right back, left/right/center midfield, and striker roles last season. He is an awesome weapon to have and is solid in all aspects of the game. Keller should once again find his way on to the pitch for extended PT this season.
Sonny Makh (#11)
Sonny Makh (Senior)
Few players on this roster have the technical abilities that Makh has in his arsenal. He sees the game exceptionally well and was a valuable substitute last season. This season however, Makh will be looked to-to lead the midfield and create chances for dangerous wing players Pitter, Perez, Englis, and Keller. While he does not always look for his shot, he strikes a good ball, and is more than capable of coming up with big plays. Makh is also one of Creighton’s best penalty takers.
Myles Englis (Sophomore)
Myles Englis (#16)
Englis is one of the fastest players on Creighton’s roster. His speed puts defenses on their heels and really came into his own by the end of the 2012 season as a lightning-quick substitute. Englis has been looking to establish himself as a first choice winger in the Bolowich system, and might even slot into the creative midfielder role at times. When confident, there might not be many players better than him on the field.
Ricardo Perez (#10)
Ricardo Perez (Freshman)
Perez is one of the highest rated recruits that Creighton soccer has ever landed. He is one of the top 3 midfielders in the 2013 class and has the ability to lead this team. However, it is clear that while physically ready he needs to be a little sharper to run the team from the vacant Gomez position. Perez however is tailor-made to play that role, with excellent vision and feet, a good shot and unbelievable ball skills he should be one to watch as the season progresses.
Bryce Ciambella (R-Freshman)
Bryce Ciambella (#17)
Ciambella redshirted last season after coming in to Creighton as a prolific goal scorer. Bolowich has transitioned him into a holding midfield player with success. Bryce looks comfortable in the middle of the park and is able to start attacks well. He will be looked to this season to provide back-up to Blandon and Barnes. Ciambella also possess a strong right footed shot, something I hope we see this season.
Fabian Herbers (#2)
Fabian Herbers (Freshman)
Herbers came to Creighton a relative unknown from German football. Like Keller and Pitter before him, he thoroughly impressed in his first outing as a Jay. Herbers was one of the standouts from the Blue-White scrimmage. Herbers looked comfortable at this level and played all over the defense and midfield in his minutes. He has excellent size and his skills seem to be above many others at this level.
Marvin Iskra (Freshman)
Marvin Iskra (#13)
Bolowich knew heading into a new conference he would need to recruit two things for his 2013 roster, versatility and strength. He got both of those in freshman Marvin Iskra. Iskra, like Herbers, showed well in the Blue-White scrimmage. Iskra then came on late in the Notre Dame match and was able to help battle the more physically mature Irish players as the game wore down. Iskra saw time at the forward spot as well.
Brock Fitzgerald (#24)
Brock Fitzgerald (Freshman)
Fitzgerald was one of Nebraska’s best high school players over the last three seasons. He is a creative player with lots of heart. He reminds me a lot of what Christian Blandon showed his first year of the program. Good skills and soccer IQ with a huge heart. Fitzgerald does however need to grow physically to be ready for the college game. Look for Brock to redshirt, like Blandon, using this year to get bigger and stronger so as to bang with the Big East for years to come.
Erick Yang (Sophomore)
Erick Yang (#27)
Yang gained notoriety in high school for both soccer and football. He was a coveted place kicker which put soccer on hold for a few years. We have not seen Yang in action yet in either practice or exhibition matches, so we cannot breakdown just what exactly he will bring to the table for the season.