MLS Columbus Crew SC

Three Preseason Matches In Four Days Highlight Home Stretch Of Florida Leg

Published on February 13, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew continues preseason training in Bradenton, Fla., with two-a-day workouts and exhibition matches at the IMG Academies scheduled through Sunday (Feb. 17). The Crew defeated the Kansas City Wizards, 4-0, in its first preseason match of 2008 on Saturday (Feb. 9) and it will conclude its trip to Florida this week with its final three matches in a four-day span.

The Crew faces off with MLS-rival Chicago on Wednesday at 10 a.m., then returns to action the following morning (Feb. 14) to take on the U.S. Under-17 National Team at 9:30 a.m. (ET), before playing its final match of the trip against the University of South Florida on Saturday at 10 a.m. European trialists Lars Ricken (Germany) and Roman Friedli (Switzerland) have joined the team in Florida and could see action in the upcoming exhibition matches.

Upon returning from Florida, the team will spend a couple of days in Columbus before departing for California, where it will be based from Feb. 21-27. Among its scheduled matches there are two against MLS foes, San Jose and Chivas USA, the latter on Feb. 23 at the College of the Canyons to benefit the Michael Hoefflin Foundation, and one against the Ventura County Fusion (PDL) on Feb. 25.

After a brief stopover in Columbus, the club then travels across the Atlantic for a week-long stay in England from March 2-9, before taking its final preseason trip, to New Orleans, March 11-17.

UPCOMING CREW EXHIBITION MATCH SCHEDULE (IMG Academies - Bradenton, Fla.)

Wed., 2/13 vs. Chicago Fire, 10 a.m.

Thur., 2/14 vs. U.S. Under-17 National Team, 9:30 a.m.

Sat., 2/16 vs. University of South Florida, 10 a.m.

CREW GOALKEEPER WILL HESMER BLOGS FROM CREW TRAINING CAMP

Crew goalkeeper Will Hesmer is currently keeping a blog updating fans about the squad's preseason training camp in Bradenton, Fla. Hesmer will share anecdotes and offer insight at TheCrew.com (here) on his and his teammates' activities throughout the preseason.

CREW SINGLE-GAME TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY

An allotment of tickets for all 15 2008 regular-season Crew home games will go on sale to the general public this Friday (Feb. 15) at Noon, at the Crew Stadium Box Office and all central Ohio Ticketmaster retail locations, via Ticketmaster phone at 614-431-3600 and on-line at TheCrew.com and Ticketmaster.com. In the meantime, both the Home Opener and Oct. 4 game against L.A. are part of all full-season, half-season and 5-pack ticket plans, which are currently available by calling 614-447-CREW (2739) and at TheCrew.com. Both of those matches are also currently available through group packages.

CREW SOCCER ACADEMY OPENS INAUGURAL U.S. SOCCER DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY LEAGUE SEASON

The Crew Soccer Academy opened its inaugural season in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy league in North Carolina over the weekend, with games against Greensboro SC and Capital Area Soccer League at both the Under-18 and Under-16 levels. In Saturday's action, the CSA U-18s defeated Greensboro SC, 3-1, while the CSA U-16s has to settle for a 1-1 draw with GSC, after giving up a last-minute equalizer. The U-18s earned the first victory in CSA history behind goals from Mike Green - the first in club history - Joey Haught, and Andy Lubahn. Nick Blevins and Lubahn added assists, while Thomas Schmitt drew the penalty kick converted by Haught. Vaughn Spurrier scored the U-16s' goal.

On Sunday, both CSA squads took on their respective counterparts from CASL, a club ranked No. 11 nationally by Soccer America. The CSA U-18s were defeated by CASL, 1-0, falling victim to a game-winning goal in the final 10 minutes, while the CSA U-16s also competed in a tight match against CASL, but also were beaten 1-0.

Both CSA squads will participate in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy's Winter Showcase at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas, this weekend (Feb. 16-18). The U-16 and U-18 age groups will each boast 44 elite clubs from across the country and a total of 88 games that will be played over the course of the weekend. Each Academy team will play two games against Academy teams from different regions of the country and the games will count toward their conference standings. The winner of each conference will qualify to participate in the Academy Finals Week at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., on July 12-19.

CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES AS STAGE TAKES SHAPE AT CREW STADIUM

The new permanent stage being constructed in Crew Stadium's north end is taking shape. Work began on Sept. 10 and the project is scheduled to be completed on April 15. The stage will measure 60 feet deep by 120 feet wide.

Check out the Columbus Crew SC Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major League Soccer Stories from February 13, 2008


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.

OurSports Central