COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew announced today that its 2008 U.S. Open Cup campaign will commence on May 27, when it will play host to a second-round qualifying match at Crew Stadium against the winner of a first-round qualifier between Real Salt Lake and the San Jose Earthquakes. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and the game is included in all full-season Crew Soccer Nation memberships, as "Special Game A." The RSL-San Jose game is scheduled for April 30 at Salt Lake.
The U.S. Open Cup is an annual competition open to all amateur and professional soccer teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer. The tournament has crowned a champion for 94 consecutive years dating back to 1914. Within the U.S. Open Cup framework, teams compete in one of the following four categories: professional outdoor Division I (Major League Soccer), Division II (USL First Division) or Division III (USL Second Division); or Amateur Division (USL Premier Development League & U.S. Adult Soccer Association).
The U.S. Open Cup is a single-elimination tournament. The team that advances the furthest from each level except Division I earns a $10,000 cash prize. The runner-up takes home $50,000, while the champion collects $100,000. The winner also will have the team's name engraved on the historic Dewar Challenge Trophy, the oldest trophy in American team sports which is housed in the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, N.Y.
Fans can become Crew Soccer Nation members by purchasing full-season ticket packages or partial plans. Group tickets are also available for all 15 home games. All ticket packages and plans are available by calling 614-447-CREW and at TheCrew.com.
CREW DEPARTS FOR CALIFORNIA THURSDAY IN SECOND LEG OF PRESEASON SCHEDULE
The Crew departs for California on Thursday (Feb. 21), as it embarks on the second leg of its 2008 preseason schedule. The West Coast swing, which will run through Feb. 27, will include three exhibition matches. The Crew battles the San Jose Earthquakes Friday, Feb. 22, in San Luis Obispo, then takes on Chivas USA the following evening at the College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, in a match that will benefit the Michael Hoefflin Foundation, before concluding against the Ventura County Fusion of the Premier Development League at Bunea High School on Monday, Feb. 25. Following its time in California, the Crew briefly returns to Columbus, 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
(All times Eastern)
Fri., 2/22: vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 10 p.m., San Luis Obispo
Sat., 2/23: vs. CD Chivas USA, 8 p.m., Santa Clarita (benefits the Michael Hoefflin Foundation)
Mon., 2/25: vs. Ventura County Fusion, 10:30 p.m., Bunea High School
CREW AND TORONTO FC ANNOUNCE "NAME THE CUP" COMPETITION
In preparation for their 2008 season opener at Crew Stadium on March 29, the Crew and Toronto FC have announced a competition to help name the new Cup that will be awarded to the winner of the season series between the regional rivals. Fans of both teams were encouraged to log on and submit names for the award online until Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 5 p.m. The clubs will then narrow the top submissions and final voting will be held from Feb. 25-March 5. Fans can visit TheCrew.com to submit their entries and "Help Name The Cup."
CREW SOCCER ACADEMY CONTINUES INAUGURAL SEASON WITH WINTER SHOWCASE IN FRISCO,TX
The Crew Soccer Academy continued its inaugural season in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy with a successful weekend at the Winter Showcase at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas. On Sunday, the CSA Under-16 squad defeated Westchester FC, 6-1, behind a hat trick by William Phiri and two goals by Brandon Silva, while the Under-18s also topped Westchester, by a score of 1-0, thanks to Mike Green's tally. On Monday, CSA took on FC Delco (Pa.), the nation's No. 6-ranked club according to Soccer America. The Under-16s defeated FC Delco, 3-1, while U-18s played to a 2-2 tie, thanks to two goals from CSA's Ben Speas.
Both CSA squads will continue their seasons this weekend, as they travel to the Richmond, Va., area for a two-match road trip. Both squads will take on their respective counterparts from the Richmond Strikers on Saturday, Feb. 23, at Striker Park in Glen Allen. On Sunday, Feb. 24, both teams will play the U-16 and U-18 squads from the Richmond Kickers at the Hensley Complex in Chesterfield.
CREW'S 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.
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. Click Here to view a fact sheet detailing more features of the stage and Click Here to view a photo gallery chronicling the project's progress so far.
