Weekly update: Supplemental Draft

The Crew owns four selections entering this afternoon's 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft (Thursday, Jan. 24 at 3 p.m.), which will be held via teleconference from the league headquarters in New York. The Crew has a pick in each of the first two rounds and two in the third - the Nos. 6, 20, 34 and 38 (acquired from D.C. United) selections overall. Complete results will be released this evening.

All players who were eligible for and not selected in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, held on Friday, Jan. 18, as well as additional players nominated by teams, are eligible for selection in the Supplemental Draft. The original order of the four-round MLS Supplemental Draft is determined from the reverse order of finish following the 2007 season.

CREW HOLDING OPEN TRYOUTS AT PREMIER SOCCER ACADEMIES CAMPUS IN LORAIN THIS WEEKEND

The Crew will host open tryouts this weekend - Friday, Jan. 25, and Saturday, Jan. 26 - at Brad Friedel's Premier Soccer Academies campus in Lorain, Ohio. The tryouts will be open to all players regardless of age, with the lone exception being that college players with any eligibility remaining are not allowed to participate due to NCAA rules and regulations. Participants need to arrive at PSA by 8 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 25, for registration and orientation. Players should plan on being there through 5 p.m. on the 25th. Training will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday the 26th and conclude at 4 p.m. Players should plan on attending both days in order to have the coaching staff properly evaluate their skills. It is recommended that players bring both types of cleats (indoor and molded). There will be a fee of $100 that must be paid in full prior to participation in the tryout. Individuals are responsible for their own food, accommodations and transportation. Potential prospects can visit www.TheCrew.com to register for either of the two tryout locations and for more details.

CREW PRESEASON TRAINING CAMP OPENS ON JAN. 28; SQUAD TO TRAVEL TO FLORIDA FEB. 2 TO TRAIN

Crew preseason training camp will officially kick off in Columbus with player physicals on Jan. 27 and training the following day, Monday, Jan. 28, indoors at the SuperKick/TeamZone facility in Lewis Center (409 Orangepointe Drive). After almost a week in Columbus, the team will then continue preparations for its 13th Major League Soccer season in Florida from Feb. 2-17. Details about the rest of the club's preseason training camp will be released in the near future.

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 here to view a photo gallery chronicling the project's progress so far.

CREW IN THE COMMUNITY

The majority of Crew players have returned to the area in preparation for the beginning of preseason training on Jan. 28 and they will be making their presence felt throughout the community before departing for Florida (PLEASE NOTE: Players listed are scheduled to appear; Subject to change at any time).

Who: Brian Carroll, Ryan Junge

What: School Assembly

When: Friday, Jan. 25, 2:30 p.m.

Where: Riverside Elementary, 3260 Riverside Green Drive, Dublin 43017

Who: Chad Marshall, Adam Moffat, Brandon Moss, Ryan Junge, Andrew Peterson, Tim Ward

What: Kidapalooza

When: Saturday, Jan. 26, 2:15-3:45 p.m.

Where: Veteran's Memorial, 300 W. Broad Street, Columbus 43215

Who: Duncan Oughton, Andy Gruenebaum

What: School Assembly

When: Monday, Jan. 28, 2:30 p.m. (tentative)

Where: Hawthorne Elementary, 5001 Farview Drive, Columbus 43231 (Westerville Public Schools)