Midseason acquisitions tend to be quiet presences in the locker room, gradually acclimating to their new surroundings as they become familiar with teammates, coaches and staff members who are already established in the organization.
That's hardly been the case with Louis Crayton, D.C. United's latest and most prominent arrival. The well-traveled goalkeeper took over the starting role within days of his official signing and quickly established himself as an outsized personality on the United squad. On as well as off the field, his booming voice and voluminous self-assurance makes him impossible to ignore -- whether racing outside his penalty area for hands-free jaunts with the ball or singing deafeningly after wins.
"We have a hard time stopping him from talking," cracked defender Bryan Namoff. "He's one of those guys that always has something to say, and always has a smile on his face. It's always done in a positive way, and it creates just a loud character, a guy that loves what he does. And we love the way he does it. That's been a great relationship and a great pickup for us."
Crayton, whose initial contact with the club grew out of his long relationship with D.C. striker and fellow Liberian Francis Doe, credits the warmth of his teammates for helping him feel so comfortable so quickly.
"You see, it was the reception I received when I came, made me open up," he said. "From my first day of arrival, the guys were very, very friendly with me. It made easy for me to integrate, it made it easy for open up for the five weeks that I've been here now. So it's like I've been here forever, and I'm very happy for that."
His audaciousness did not take long to reveal itself. Owner of an extensive European pedigree featuring high-level experience in the Swiss league and UEFA Cup, the Liberian international nonetheless possesses a wild streak that first became obvious in an Aug. 30 match against New York. Crayton repeatedly roamed far off his line to cut off threatening through balls and, on more than one occasion, displayed a striker's footwork to juke past Red Bulls speedster Dane Richards.
"He's got to learn that once is OK, twice is pushing it and three times is too many," said D.C. boss Tom Soehn afterwards, sending a ripple of laughter through the assembled media.
It's a striking contrast to the understated approach of his predecessor, Zach Wells -- but there seems to be a method to Crayton's madness. Even his flirtations with disaster have helped bolster the confidence of his backline mates, who can now go about their business knowing that their netminder will always be close to the action. He says his communication with defenders remains a work in progress but is a much simpler proposition than it was at his former club, FC Basel.
"At least right now, I'm grateful that I don't have to be changing languages," he explained with a ready smile, "because when I played in Switzerland I had to change between German, French and English when I played. So right now I just have to speak English."
Gonzalo Martinez, United's veteran Colombian defender, has played alongside his share of memorable 'keepers and ranks Crayton among the zaniest.
"I can say that he's a little crazy -- and I've played with some crazy goalkeepers: [Rene] Higuita, [Miguel Angel] Calero," said Martinez. "Those type of players do things that are not normal, but at the same time they give you a lot of confidence in their ability because they're very confident in themselves."
Crayton himself seems proud to be included in such company.
"Well I mean, goalkeepers naturally are crazy," he noted. "Look at [German legend] Oliver Kahn, for example. Not crazy in the sense that they are psycho, but as a goalkeeper you have to have some sort of charisma, in that your presence has to always be felt."
So even though his forward-leaning approach occasionally turns opposition corner kicks and long balls behind the defense into heart-stopping adventures, Crayton's arrival has been a boon for the D.C. rearguard. United have surrendered just five goals in his six matches with the team.
"He has a presence, probably from his years in Europe, playing in pretty big games," said Namoff. "He's one of those characters, and he brings that personality effect to the field. He's come up with some pretty big saves over the last couple of games, which has kept us in it, and he's also put up some shutouts. So it's great to have full confidence in a goalkeeper like that."
Charles Boehm is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
