It’s no coincidence that the Columbus Crew lost only once in the 15 games that Argentine left back Gino Padula, 32, has started since arriving at the club this year, writes Shawn Mitchell. His “steady, smart soccer … has helped the Crew defense become one of the best in Major League Soccer.”
Left back had been a problem position since Sigi Schmid took over as coach in 2006, but it’s now a strength. “He has played quite a bit outside Argentina, so he knows some different approaches,” said Schmid. “He has a good calm when he is on the field. There is no panic in his game.” The coach said the team knew on the second day of watching Padula in training that he was good enough. “It was not a situation where we even wanted to take a look at anybody else.”
Padula played seven years in England, which he credits for his improvement at the back. “Before I went to England, maybe my defending wasn’t very good,” said Padula. “But I learned it was most important to be solid in the back. It’s not my problem to put the ball in the box.” Meanwhile the player is happy in Columbus, forming a close bond with compatriot Guillermo Barros Schelotto, while his Spanish wife and 1-year-old daughter are happy here.
“When I was in France, they weren’t happy,” said Padula, who signed a four-year deal to play in MLS. “When your family is not happy, you are not happy. Here, for me, is very quiet and the people are very kind. I come to the training sessions with a smile every day. I think in the last couple of years, I had lost my smile.”