MLS Columbus Crew SC

Crew Preseason Set

Published on January 20, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew will report to preseason training camp tomorrow to begin preparations for the 2003 MLS season.

The preseason schedule is set leading into Major League Soccer's opening day on Saturday, April 5 when U.S. Open Cup Champion Columbus takes on defending MLS Cup Champion Los Angeles Galaxy at 4 p.m. at Columbus Crew Stadium. The game is the only MLS game played that day and will be televised live on ABC Sports.

The Crew will train in Columbus at the Easton Sports Barn from Jan. 21-Feb. 13. Depending on the weather, the team may train outside at Obetz or at Capital on their sports turf. The team will train at 10 a.m. Tuesday-Friday this week and at 10 a.m. Monday-Friday next week. The team will also weight train at 1:30 p.m. at the World Gym in Pickerington each day except next Friday. The Crew schedule through the end of January is listed on page two.

After beginning training in Columbus, the team will then head out of the country to Portugal to train and play games from Feb. 14-Feb. 27. The team will return briefly to Columbus after Portugal and then go south to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, from March 3-13. The Crew will return to Columbus for good on March 14. Details on upcoming games for the respective trips will be announced prior to each trip.

The Crew players who are expected to report tomorrow are: Edson Buddle, Jon Busch, Mike Clark, Eric Denton, Luchi Gonzalez, Chris Leitch, Brian Maissoneuve, Kyle Martino, Jeff Matteo, Duncan Oughton, Tom Presthus, Daniel Torres, Jake Traeger and Brian West. Brian Dunseth, Jeff Cunningham and Chad McCarty will report after they are released from the U.S. National Team, while draftee Michael Ritch and newly acquired Nelson Akwari will make their way to Columbus sometime this week. Crew draftee Guy Abrahamson is currently still in school at Rutgers and No. 1 draft pick Diego Walsh will report in a couple of weeks. Brian McBride is playing for Everton in England and Freddy Garcia is playing in Guatemala.

McBRIDE SCORES BOTH GOALS SATURDAY AS EVERTON DOWNS SUNDERLAND 2-1

Crew forward Brian McBride continued to make his presence felt for Everton this past Saturday by scoring both goals in their 2-1 win over Sunderland. McBride, who rallied his team from a 1-0 deficit by scoring in the 51st and 57th minutes, was making his home debut for Everton and has now scored three goals in his first to games with the Blues. Everton plays again at Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday, Jan. 28.

CUNNINGHAM TALLIES AN ASSIST AS U.S. NATIONAL TEAM DOWNS CANADA 4-0 IN FT. LAUDERDALE ON SATURDAY

Crew forward Jeff Cunningham started for the U.S. National Team and played the first half in their 4-0 win over Canada in Ft. Lauderdale this past Saturday.

With the U.S. already up 2-0, Cunningham attacked three players on the dribble before dishing to Chris Klein to put the U.S. up 3-0 in the 32nd minute. The Jamaica-born Cunningham now has two assists in his five U.S. appearances. Crew teammates Brian Dunseth and Chad McCarty did not play.

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Major League Soccer Stories from January 20, 2003


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