Crew Announces Plans for 2011 Preseason, Which Opens Thursday

Published on January 18, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release

COLUMBUS- The Columbus Crew today announced the framework of its 2011 preseason schedule, which includes trips to Phoenix and Atlanta. Training begins this Thursday, Jan. 20, at 9:45 a.m. under head coach Robert Warzycha and his staff at the SuperKick/TeamZone facility in Lewis Center (409 Orangepointe Drive).

After a week in Columbus, the team will continue preparations in Phoenix from Jan. 29 to Feb. 18, before returning to Columbus on Feb. 19, in advance of the first leg of the home-and-home, total-goals Champions League Quarterfinal series against Real Salt Lake on Feb. 22.

The Crew will remain in Columbus until Feb. 28, when it will travel to Utah for the return leg of the Champions League series on March 1. The club will then spend a week in Atlanta, followed by a week in Columbus prior to First Kick 2011 at D.C. United on March 19.

While in Phoenix and Atlanta, the Crew will train and play exhibition matches against other MLS teams training in the area. The schedule of those exhibitions is still being finalized and will be released at a later date.

Founded by American sports pioneer Lamar Hunt, the Columbus Crew is Ohio's Major League Soccer club, anchoring a diverse sports and entertainment enterprise. One of the league's Charter Members, it won its first MLS Cup championship in 2008 and has also won the 2002 U.S. Open Cup and MLS Supporters' Shield titles in 2004, 2008 and 2009. It will open its 16th season on March 19 at D.C. United and will open its 13th season in first-of-its-kind Crew Stadium on Saturday, March 26, against the New York Red Bulls.

2011 Preliminary Crew Preseason Schedule (Subject to change)

Jan. 20-28: Columbus

Jan. 29-Feb. 18: Phoenix

Feb. 19-28: Columbus (CCL Quarterfinals, first leg, vs. Real Salt Lake, Feb. 22)

Feb. 28-March 2: Salt Lake City/Sandy, Utah (CCL Quarterfinals, second leg, vs. RSL, March 1)

March 4-12: Atlanta

March 13-18: Columbus (Potential CCL semifinal match on March 15)

March 19: First Kick 2011 at D.C. United

Major League Soccer Stories from January 18, 2011

• Timbers Announce 2011 Preseason Training Schedule - Portland Timbers
• FC Dallas Selects Five Collegiate Standouts in MLS Supplemental Draft - FC Dallas
• Goalkeeper Jeff Attinella Leads Real Salt Lake's Three Picks in MLS Supplemental Draft - Real Salt Lake
• Red Bulls Add Two Players in 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft - Red Bull New York
• Red Bulls Name Jürgen Mainka Vice President of Communications and Community Relations - Red Bull New York
• Crew Selects Two Midfielders in MLS Supplemental Draft - Columbus Crew SC
• Sounders FC Selects Three Collegians in Supplemental Draft - Seattle Sounders FC
• Crew Announces Plans for 2011 Preseason, Which Opens Thursday - Columbus Crew SC
• Timbers Select Four in 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft - Portland Timbers
• D.C. United Selects Forward Blake Brettschneider in 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft - D.C. United
• Rapids Select Two Players in 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft - Colorado Rapids
• Sporting Kansas City Selects Three in Supplemental Draft - Sporting Kansas City
• Chivas USA Selects Ernesto Carranza and Curtis Ushedo in MLS Supplemental Draft - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
• Earthquakes Select Two in Supplemental Draft - San Jose Earthquakes
• MLS Clubs Add Supplemental Draft Selections - MLS
• Whitecaps FC Select Three in 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
• Chicago Fire Select Three Players in 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft - Chicago Fire FC
• Philadelphia Union Select Ryan Richter, Josh Walburn and Matt Marcin in 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft - Philadelphia Union
• Dynamo Select Two Players in 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft - Houston Dynamo FC
• Real Salt Lake Adds Veteran MLS Defender C.J. Brown to Coaching Staff - Real Salt Lake

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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