COLUMBUS, Ohio - Columbus Crew General Manager Mark McCullers announced today that the Crew will open the 2006 MLS season on the road on Saturday, April 1, at Kansas City. The national television schedule has not yet been finalized, so the start time for the game on April 1 has not been set.
The Crew home opener is set for Saturday, April 15, vs. the Eastern Conference rival Chicago Fire. That start time is also not set. Major League Soccer kicks off its 11th season on Saturday, April 1. The complete 2006 schedule will be announced at a later date.
Crew fans can get a "Put out the Fire" Home Opener Pack for just $60, which includes four midfield vouchers, and can become Crew Soccer Nation members by purchasing Season Tickets now, including a new three-game season ticket package with prices starting as low as $24 for three games. All ticket packages are available exclusively through www.TheCrew.com and 614-447-CREW.
DAVID MELFI NAMED CREW'S NEW DIRECTOR OF TICKET SALES
The Crew has hired David Melfi as its new Director of Ticket Sales. Melfi comes to The Crew after spending the last half of 2005 with KDKA-TV2 in Pittsburgh. Prior to his stint at KDKA, Melfi was with the Columbus Blue Jackets from July 2002 to July 2005. He also has sales experience with Comcast-Spectacor in Philadelphia and with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 26-year-old Ellwood City, PA., native is a Mount Union College graduate.
"David brings an incredibly high energy level and great knowledge of the Columbus market," said Rob Grady, Crew Sr. Vice President-Sales & Marketing. "He is also driven to see sold-out crowds at Crew Stadium and to return the Crew to its rightful place at the top of the MLS attendance charts. He will be a great addition to our team."
PASION DE GOL SET FOR THURSDAY AT 5 P.M. ON RADIO SOL, 1550-AM
Crew Assistant Coach Eduardo Carvacho hosts Pasion de Gol (Passion for Goals), an hour-long soccer show every Thursday from 5-6 p.m. on Spanish radio station Radio Sol, 1550-AM. Radio Sol is also the Spanish radio play-by-play home for all Crew home games. The show is geared toward The Crew and Major League Soccer, as well as the numerous Hispanic players, coaches and administrators around the league and country.
CREW STADIUM A COLLECTION SITE FOR THE ST. STEPHEN'S COMMUNITY HOUSE CHRISTMAS CARE PROGRAM UNTIL DEC. 16
Crew Stadium is a collection site for the St. Stephen's Community House Christmas Care Program. Crew staff, guests and visitors can drop off donations of non-perishable food through this Friday, Dec. 16, at Noon, in the Crew Administrative Offices main lobby.
St. Stephen's Community House has been providing vital community services to the Greater Linden area of Columbus since 1919. The purpose of the Christmas Care Program is to assist families during the holiday season who find themselves in critical situations, caused or exacerbated by such things as strained fixed incomes, job lay-offs and illness.
SHOP CREW GEAR AT CREW STADIUM FOR ALL YOUR HOLIDAY NEEDS, YOUR FAVORITE CREW APPAREL IS NOW UP TO 50 PERCENT OFF
The Crew Gear store at Crew Stadium is offering special holiday sales of up to 50 percent off. Items available on sale are Crew jerseys, t-shirts, balls, hats, sweatshirts, winter caps, blankets and more. Crew Gear Store is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., (Store closed December 23-January 3).
