With three games remaining in the regular season, the Crew can cross one box off its offseason checklist. The Crew signed forward Kei Kamara yesterday in the hopes of bolstering a position that has emerged as its biggest need, even as it pushes toward its first postseason spot since 2011.

With three games remaining in the regular season, the Crew can cross one box off its offseason checklist.



The Crew signed forward Kei Kamara yesterday in the hopes of bolstering a position that has emerged as its biggest need, even as it pushes toward its first postseason spot since 2011. Before a one-year stint with English Football League Championship club Middlesbrough ended in August, Kamara scored 52 goals during an eight-year Major League Soccer career that began when the Crew made him the ninth overall selection in the 2006 SuperDraft.



And although he�s not eligible to play until next season because of when his contract with Middlesbrough was mutually terminated, it is hoped that Kamara will bring the form of a proven goal-scorer to the Crew roster in 2015.



�I want to be in the box,� Kamara said. �I want to score goals so I can have some fun celebrations, because that�s just my personality. But at the same time, I want to be a part of something good. Seeing that and seeing that�s what (coach Gregg Berhalter) implemented in the squad, I hope I�ll be a good addition when it�s finally time for me to step in and play.�



The Crew has held the top spot in MLS� allocation order, which meant it would have first crack at U.S. national-team players coming to the league or players returning to MLS whose previous clubs received a transfer fee for their departure, provided their new contract did not hit a certain financial threshold. When Kamara became available, Berhalter quickly placed a call to his agent and eventually to Kamara.



It was a move that impressed Kamara enough to make him want to join the Crew.



�The fact that he showed interest, not just because of business, but showed interest in calling me and talking to me personally about his idea and what he wants to do over here, grabbed my attention,� Kamara said. �That was one of the most important things.�



Had the Crew not used its spot in the allocation order, it would have expired at the end of the year. Berhalter said the Crew fielded offers from several teams interested in trading up in order to sign Kamara.



At the moment, the Crew has six total goals from its three target forwards currently under contract.



�He�s a proven goal-scorer in this league,� Berhalter said of Kamara. �He played wide for Kansas City, (but) we see him more as a (forward). That�s the position he�s most comfortable with.



�He�s a hard worker, he�s a leader, he�s good in the locker room. I think he has a lot of attributes that make him valuable.�



Because Kamara will not officially be added to the roster until Jan. 1, Berhalter said he does not expect to have to use a spot to protect him during the upcoming expansion draft. Full details of the draft have not yet been announced.



Kamara will begin practicing with the Crew next week. The plan is for him to be fully acclimated to Berhalter�s system by the time the team begins preseason practice in January.



After being picked up at the airport by Crew brand ambassador Frankie Hejduk, Kamara said he has one primary goal: bring another championship to the Crew.



�He was wearing his (2008 MLS Cup) championship ring,� Kamara said. �I�ve won a U.S. Open Cup. When I see something like (Hejduk�s ring), for me that�s really my most important goal. My goals aren�t to come in and say I want to score 20 goals. My goal is to win something big.�



ajardy@dispatch.com



@AdamJardy