The Scandinavian skin of Nicolai Naess pinkens under the unrelenting sun Tuesday morning during training in Obetz.
The Crew SC center back needs to quickly acclimate himself to Major League Soccer, but nothing on the fjords of his homeland prepares him for central Ohio humidity in August.
“Not like Norway,” a perspiring Naess said smiling.
The 23-year-old understands there’s much to learn and as practice ends, he’s summoned by coach Gregg Berhalter. Teacher and pupil chat briefly along the touchline.
Perhaps more than they realize, Naess and Berhalter are heavily invested in each other. The player represents the Crew’s biggest signing during a recently completed transfer window that drew criticism from fans expecting more.