Crew boss Berhalter says Casey, Ashe bring much-needed experience

Columbus Crew head coach Gregg Berhalter faces the challenge of reigniting his team's spirits after losing the 2015 MLS Cup to the Portland Timbers in front of their home fans at MAPFRE Stadium.

One way to do that is to bring in proven winners, like forward Conor Casey and left full-back Corey Ashe. Casey won the trophy with the Colorado Rapids in 2010, scoring in the final, while Ashe has been to three MLS Cup finals with the Houston Dynamo.

"We like the fact that he’s won an MLS Cup and that he's scored a lot of goals and that he's a very intelligent soccer player," Berhalter told reporters of Casey. "And with Corey, it’s similar. He knows what it takes to win in this league."

Added Crew captain Michael Parkhurst: "Conor is going to be great for the room. You can tell he’s been around. He knows this league. He knows its players. He's got a calm demeanor. I think he's ready for this challenge, for this part of his career."

Parkhurst speaks with firsthand experience, being the only member of the squad who's played in an MLS Cup final, outside of the club's new duo.

But while an influx of veterans could help the locker-room morale, Berhalter knows that, at 34 years old, Casey isn't likely to start; instead, he'll come off the bench in support of Kei Kamara. And, with young players like Emil Larsen and Rodrigo Saravia joining the team, Berhalter must strike an appropriate balance between old and new faces, too.

"We're also excited to bring in a guy like Emil Larsen, who is 24 and has a big future ahead of him," Berhalter said. "But I think it's about getting the right mix, not being too heavy either way."