Crew GM Issa Tall explains why he felt 'less pressure' during MLS summer transfer window
Issa Tall has had just enough time to take stock of how he and his front office handled the MLS transfer window, his first such window as Crew general manager.
The MLS secondary transfer window was open from July 18 to Aug. 14. Working five years alongside former Crew general manager Tim Bezbatchenko as an assistant general manager, Tall knew what to expect. And following the departure of former Crew technical director Pat Onstad in 2022, Tall took an even more active role, putting him at the center of multiple marquee deals, including the signing of striker Cucho Hernandez.
"I remember being in France, doing deals, and that was a pleasure because it was my first time," Tall said. "Then going to the summer, getting Cucho. Once you do this, you’re like, ‘OK, if I can do a deal like Cucho, others should be less pressure.’ Not easier, easier is not the word, but have less pressure than others."
He acquired five players during this most recent window.
"To be honest, I approached it the same way I approached the other ones," Tall said.
But it wasn't the same. Bezbatchenko announced his departure from the Crew to become president of Black Knight Football Club on June 6, over a month before the secondary window opened.
Tall was named Bezbatchenko's replacement, and according to Tall, the only midseason move Bezbatchenko was involved in was the trade for Aziel Jackson, who was acquired from St. Louis City SC. The other four additions were all handled by Tall and his staff.
Through weekly conversations, Tall and Crew coach Wilfried Nancy collaborated to ensure players were brought to the club with a purpose, rather than signing players "just for the sake of signing players."
Along with Jackson, the Crew added Dylan Chambost, DeJuan Jones, Andres Herrera and Abraham Romero during this transfer window.
"As always, they’re (the coaching staff) asking for specific profiles," Tall said. "So, when you look at DeJuan and Andres, for example, as the wing backs, they are different than what we used to have on our roster and they’re just doing something different. They allow our coaching staff to have some tactical flexibility, and same goes with Dylan and Aziel."
Last season, the Crew made big moves during the summer. Specifically, they sold designated player Lucas Zelarayan to Saudi Pro League's Al Fateh and two days later, signed designated player Diego Rossi.
Tall acknowledged that none of the moves this transfer window were of that caliber, but internally, the new signings are being viewed as a success. The Crew's 4-3 victory over Orlando City SC on Sept. 21 was used by Tall as proof.
Excluding Romero, who was acquired from Los Angeles FC to play when goalkeepers Patrick Schulte and Nicholas Hagen are unavailable, the other four midseason acquisitions saw playing time. Jackson started and recorded one goal and two assists.
"I think we did well, considering that we responded to the needs that we had from our coaching staff," Tall said. "Similar to last year, it just brought competition among our group and raised the quality of our training sessions, those guys are already contributing. So, ultimately, we were happy with what we did in the summer transfer window."
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew GM Issa Tall discusses MLS summer transfer window
