OBETZ, Ohio – Hector Jimenez began the 2015 season without a defined role for Columbus Crew SC.
Brought in as a winger at the start of 2014, Jimenez played all over the midfield in his first season in Columbus, and ended the season as a replacement right back. In the team’s preseason matches this year, he played in several different positions, including central midfield.
In the first weeks of the season, Jimenez was the first man off the bench, regularly coming into matches as a substitute and making six appearances – including five off the bench – in the first eight games of the season.
But when starting fullback Hernan Grana and the team cut ties so the player could return to Argentina two weeks ago, Jimenez slotted into the starting lineup, going the full 90 in Crew SC’s last two matches – including an excellent performance in the club’s 3-2 win against the Seattle Sounders on May 9.
Jimenez says his ability to slot into the role is a testament to the depth in Columbus.
“At the end of last year, we didn’t have the depth that we have this year,” he said. “It’s a position where someone has to step up, and right now I’m lucky enough to be playing.”
And even when he was acting as a utility player, Jimenez says he never lost faith that he’d be back on the field in a bigger role.
“At the end of the day, I’m here for the team,” he said. “If that’s the role I have to play, I’m OK with it.…The coaching staff gives everyone confidence, and they talk to you and encourage you to strive in that situation.”
Accustomed to playing in a more attacking role, Jimenez admitted he’s had some work to do in adjusting to right back, particularly with his positioning and defensive game. But he’s working at it, and says he’s getting plenty of support from head coach Gregg Berhalter and Crew SC staff and teammates.
“When you’re in the backline, you’re some of the last players back,” he said. “It’s a little tough to manage that. But watching video with [assistant coach Josh] Wolff and Gregg and the coaching staff makes it a lot easier to know where to be, and having [center back and captain Michael Parkhurst] back there, such an experienced player, makes things a lot easier.”
Berhalter said Jimenez is still learning, but is happy with his progression.
“I think [Jimenez] has done well,” he said. “It’s obviously a work in progress, and we’re working with him, as we do with all the defenders, on his one-on-one defending and getting good opportunities to challenge themselves defensively.”
The Crew SC boss often says that different players interpret each of the 11 positions differently, and said Jimenez’s offensive game makes him a different player than Grana, changing the way the team’s offense flows.
- Save of the Week update: Crew SC's Steve Clark leads by a nose
“Hector, offensively, is very good,” Berhalter said. “He’s very good at passing and movement off the ball. He interprets it more with his off-the-ball movements and getting into spaces where Hernan, a lot of it was on-the-ball. So they’re different in that respect.”
While Jimenez has played well since Grana’s departure, Berhalter said there are still several options for that position, including Chad Barson and Chris Klute. Jimenez agreed, saying he’s not taking the spot for granted, and will be working harder than ever to stay on the field.
“We have everyone competing for that spot, so you have to show up every day and compete,” he said. “At the end of the day, you have to make it difficult for the coaches to decide.”
