MLS Columbus Crew SC

Team off to Florida, U.S. and Mexico set to Arrive

Published on February 4, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The MLS Cup-champion Columbus Crew continues preparations for the 2009 season, departing Thursday for Florida to begin a two-week training camp in Bradenton. The team officially kicked off its preseason last week in Columbus, training indoors at the SuperKick/TeamZone facility in Lewis Center.

Under the direction of head coach Robert Warzycha, who enters his first season at the helm, the Crew will train at the IMG Academies in Bradenton from Feb. 5-19, with four exhibition matches scheduled, including matches against MLS-rival D.C. United, USL-1 squad Puerto Rico Islanders, the U.S. Under-20 squad and a team to be determined.

FLORIDA PRESEASON TRIP MATCH SCHEDULE

Tues., 2/10 vs. D.C., Bradenton, 10 a.m.

Th. or Fri., 2/12 or 13 vs. Puerto Rico, Bradenton, 10 a.m.

Sat., 2/14 vs. U.S. Under-20 squad, Bradenton, 10 a.m.

Wed., 2/18 vs. TBD, Bradenton, 10 a.m.

CREW DEFENDER DANNY O'ROURKE TO BLOG FROM CREW TRAINING CAMP IN FLORIDA

Crew defender Danny O'Rourke will be blogging from Bradenton, giving fans an inside glimpse from training camp. O'Rourke will share anecdotes and offer insight on his and his teammates' preseason activities at TheCrew.com.

USA VS. MEXICO MATCH NOW JUST ONE WEEK AWAY; NEW CSN MEMBERS CAN STILL ACQUIRE TICKETS

Crew Stadium will host the home leg between the United States and Mexico in final-round World Cup qualifying in just one week, on Wednesday, Feb. 11. The USA's most anticipated match of the final round will kickoff at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on ESPN2, ESPN2HD and Univision, as well as on the airwaves via Futbol de Primera. The game is sold out, but there is still a way to acquire tickets, as the Crew has retained an inventory of prime seats, which will be made available to new Crew Soccer Nation members (season ticket holders) while supplies last (existing CSN members already had a private presale opportunity). Becoming a CSN Gold member or purchasing a Crew Stadium 10th Anniversary 10-Pack will include the opportunity to purchase USA-Mexico tickets while supplies last. Please call 614-447-CREW (2739) for details. The game marks the third-consecutive time that a capacity crowd will pack Crew Stadium for the final round home leg between the United States and Mexico. The match will be the sixth World Cup qualifier hosted by Crew Stadium. The U.S. has a 3-0-2 record in qualifying and an unbeaten 4-0-3 all-time record in Crew Stadium.

FIVE CREW PLAYERS UP FOR SELECTION TO 18-MAN ROSTER FOR U.S. MNT'S MATCH VS. MEXICO

Five Crew players - defender Frankie Hejduk, midfielders Brian Carroll, Eddie Gaven and Robbie Rogers and goalkeeper William Hesmer - are among the pool of players available for selection by head coach Bob Bradley to the 18-man roster for the U.S.A.'s match vs. Mexico at Crew Stadium next Wednesday, Feb. 11. Carroll, Gaven and Rogers each saw action in the U.S.'s 3-2 win over Sweden on Jan. 24 in Carson, Calif. Rogers received his first-ever cap with the U.S. senior team in the match, as he started and played 69 minutes before being replaced by Carroll. Gaven also came on as a second half substitute in the 77th minute.

CREW HONORED AS 2008 FIELDTURF TARKETT MLS TEAM OF THE YEAR

The Crew was named the 2008 FieldTurf Tarkett Major League Soccer Team of the Year as part of the company's 2008 Annual Soccer Awards. The Annual Soccer Awards are determined by a panel of soccer experts and professional players from around the country which consists of Al Albert, Tonya Antonucci, Chris Burt, Brian Ching, Glenn Davis, Anson Dorrance, Jay Hoffman, Bill Irwin, Buzz Lagos, Matt Reis, Steve Sampson, Steve Shak, Aly Wagner, Durward Williams and Tanya Vogel. Winners of both the Supporters Shield and MLS Cup, the Crew accepted the award at the annual ceremony which was held in conjunction with the 2009 NSCAA Convention in St. Louis. A total of 25 awards (including the Crew's) were presented to teams and coaches from all levels of the sport in the U.S. on Jan. 16 at the St. Louis Renaissance Grand & Suites Hotel.

NEXT CYCLE OF CREW SOCCER FOUNDATION REFEREE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM KICKS OFF SATURDAY

The Crew Soccer Foundation (CSF) Referee Scholarship Program kicks off its next cycle this Saturday, Feb. 7, as the 2009 referee scholars begin their referee certification classes, conducted by the Columbus Area Soccer Officials Association (CASOA). The 10 students will attend classes on each Saturday during the month of February. Upon successful completion of the course, the Crew will also provide a referee kit that consists of a yellow shirt, black shorts, black socks, whistles, book, yellow/red cards, two flags and a sports watch. After finishing the training and receiving certification, each scholarship recipient will be assigned to recreational and/or competitive youth matches by CASOA, which will also serve as a resource for questions. All scholarship winners will also be invited to attend a selected Crew game during the regular season to observe an officiating crew in action.

FOLLOW THE CREW ON TWITTER

The Crew is now on Twitter! Be sure to check out our feed at www.twitter.com/Columbus_Crew and become a "follower" for up-to-date, short-form information about the team and its current happenings.

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