Evaluating where the battle stands between Brad Stuver and Zack Steffen for the starting job, Gregg Berhalter said Wednesday “we're still in the middle of that process.”

With less than four weeks separating Crew SC from its home opener against the Chicago Fire, Crew coach and sporting director Gregg Berhalter said he still has a goalkeeper decision to make.

Evaluating where the battle stands between 25-year-old Brad Stuver and 21-year-old Zack Steffen for the starting job vacated by Steve Clark, Berhalter said Wednesday “we’re still in the middle of that process.”

“We’re not all the way there yet. I think both goalies did well in the camp, you know, they put a good effort to the training, into the games and we’re still evaluating,” he said. “We’re not completely there with who’s going to be the No. 1 keeper to start the season, but like other positions on the field it’s still up for grabs.”

Goalkeeper is obviously an important position, but especially so in the Crew’s possession style, which requires an athletic keeper who is good with his feet.

Asked if that added caveat leaves him somewhat concerned that the battle is ongoing after the team’s trip to Brazil, Berhalter said he’s treating the competition like he would one at any other position: with an understanding that fitness levels will increase throughout preseason play.

“What I would say is (at) not one of the 11 positions (are) the guys at peak levels yet. As we move into the latter stages of preseason, we should start to see that,” he said. “Obviously we have a good idea of what they can bring already, but we’re expecting to see the competition bring out the best in both of them in these next couple weeks.”

After signing with the Crew from SC Freiburg last summer, Steffen made nine appearances on loan with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, the Crew’s USL affiliate. Stuver made his first two MLS starts last season with the Crew out of playoff contention in late October.

Unsigned fourth-round draft pick Logan Ketterer out of Bradley has been in training with the Crew since he was drafted Jan. 17.

Selecting a captain

One of the biggest replacements Berhalter will be forced to make sometime before the start of the season is titular.

When center back Michael Parkhurst was traded to Atlanta United during the offseason, it left a leadership need Berhalter said he will look to several players to fill.

One of those players trusted with a leadership role will be defensive midfielder Wil Trapp, whose transition from U.S. Men’s National Team Camp to Crew SC’s Brazil training camp was profiled in Wednesday’s Dispatch.

Does the 24-year-old serving as vice captain in seasons past mean he will be looked at more closely for the vacant captaincy?

“What I would say is Wil has shown and demonstrated (leadership) in the past. We’re going to need leadership coming from more than just Wil,” Berhalter said. “I think that when you build a team and you want to have a strong team, you need leadership in different areas, so we’re certainly going to need that and we’re open to that. We’re waiting to see and we’re evaluating who’s stepping up and who fits that role.”

‘We’re getting there’

The Crew was at its busiest with offseason acquisitions just before the New Year and right around the start of training camp.

There might be more additions to the Crew roster before the start of the season, but there won’t be many, Berhalter said Wednesday.

“We’re getting there. We’re close to complete,” Berhalter said of his roster. “I would say there’s a chance that we would add anywhere from one to three players before the season starts, but you know, that’s going to depend on a number of factors. We’re getting there; the guys are looking good.”

He didn’t specify where he would like to add, but said he likes the “young group” he has up top and its ability to create scoring chances.

Berhalter declined to comment on Brazilian defensive midfielder Artur potentially joining the Crew on loan from Sao Paulo FC for 2017.

Upon further review

MLS and the Professional Referee Organization (PRO) announced Monday the continued testing of a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system during MLS preseason.

That testing includes Crew SC’s matches against Atlanta United, Charleston Battery and the Seattle Sounders in the Carolina Challenge Cup in Charleston later this month.

The system is designed to help referees avoid errors situations involving “goals, penalty decisions, direct red card incidents and cases of mistaken identity.”

Headed by retired FIFA referee Howard Webb, VAR operations will be rolled out in offline testing during the 2017 MLS season until the second half of the season, when MLS plans to include video review testing in “select regular season matches.”

Berhalter said Wednesday he is in favor of the VAR rollout.

“I think it shows how progressive the MLS is and our league is. I’m proud that we’re one of the first leagues to start implementing it,” he said. “I think there is a certain trial period necessary, but once it hits the ground (running) midseason, I think it’s going to be a big step forward for (MLS).”

Stoppage time

Berhalter said the Crew spent the majority of its time in Sao Paulo inside the Sao Paulo FC facility.

The team ended that lengthy, soccer-intensive stay in Brazil Wednesday with cake.

Great way to end 17 days in Brazil #CrewSC pic.twitter.com/BVG3WBRDvq

— Adam Jahn (@AdamJahn14) February 8, 2017

Crew SC preseason training resumes Monday at SuperKick in Powell.

@AEricksonCD