All Times and Locations Subject to Change – All Times Local
A PDF version of the media schedule can be downloaded HERE. Previous days can be found at the bottom of this page.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8
•   Located at the Southwest box office.
•   ID required. Media may only receive their own credential and may not pickup credentials for colleagues.
Location: Lower.Com Field – Southwest Box Office; 96 Columbus Crew Way, Columbus, Ohio 43215
• Media Center will be open from 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
• Media entrance will be located at the West Lobby.
Location: Lower.Com Field; 96 Columbus Crew Way, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Parking: North Lot on Nordecke Drive
Media Entrance: Media will enter through the West Lobby entrance.
As the host team for the 2023 MLS Cup Presented by Audi, the Columbus Crew is partnering with MLS WORKS to give back to the community. The 2023 MLS Cup Legacy Project will be highlighted by the unveiling of the first of five “Stay in the Game!” rooms designed to motivate and reward students for consistent and improved school attendance at Starling PreK-8 School.
The event will feature a school prep rally with remarks from MLS and Columbus Crew executives, and Crew alumni and MLS Greats Dante Washington and Frankie Hedjuk.
Location: Starling PreK-8 School;145 S Central Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43222Â
Parking: Parking is located in the back of the school on Town St.
• 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Media availability to precede head coach Wilfried Nancy press conference and training.
Location: Lower.Com Field; 96 Columbus Crew Way, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Parking: North Lot on Nordecke Drive
Media Entrance: Media will enter through the West Lobby entrance.
Register and Join Virtual Access: CLICK HERE
Password: 23MLSCup
Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy will be available to media in a hybrid press conference setting in the Stadiums' Huntington Field Club.
Location: Lower.Com Field – Huntington Field Club; 96 Columbus Crew Way, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Parking: North Lot on Nordecke Drive
Media Entrance: Media will enter through the West Lobby entrance.
• 11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. – First 15 minutes of training open for b-roll.
Location: Lower.Com Field; 96 Columbus Crew Way, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Parking: North Lot on Nordecke Drive
Media Entrance: Media will enter through the West Lobby entrance.
Register and Join Virtual Access: CLICK HERE
Password: 23MLSCup
LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo will be available to media in a hybrid press conference setting in the Stadiums' Huntington Field Club.
Location: Lower.Com Field – Huntington Field Club; 96 Columbus Crew Way, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Parking: North Lot on Nordecke Drive
Media Entrance: Media will enter through the West Lobby entrance.
• 12:15 p.m. – Media availability to precede training.
• 12:45 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – First 15 minutes of training open for b-roll.
Location: Lower.Com Field; 96 Columbus Crew Way, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Parking: North Lot on Nordecke Drive
Media Entrance: Media will enter through the West Lobby entrance.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber will deliver his 2023 MLS State of the League Address and take questions from media in the room and joining online.
Register and Join Virtual Access: CLICK HERE
Password: MLS2023
• Media Lunch to be provided at 1:00 p.m.
• Media must show MLS Cup accreditation or official media credentials for access to event.
Location: Lower.Com Field – Huntington Field Club; 96 Columbus Crew Way, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Parking: North Lot on Nordecke Drive
Media Entrance: Media will enter through the West Lobby entrance.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9
•   Located at the Southwest box office.
•   ID required. Media may only receive their own credential and may not pickup credentials for colleagues.
Location: Lower.Com Field – Southwest Box Office; 96 Columbus Crew Way, Columbus, Ohio 43215
• Media entrance will be located at the West Lobby.
Location: Lower.Com Field; 96 Columbus Crew Way, Columbus, Ohio 43215
•   Shuttle will take members from the Sonesta Columbus Downtown to Lower.com Field for MLS Cup 2023 presented by Audi.
•   Shuttles will drop off at the Corner of W. Nationwide Blvd. and Columbus Crew Way.
Location: Sonesta Columbus Downtown; 33 E Nationwide Blvd, Columbus, Ohio 43215Â
Departure Area: Lobby transportation desk.
•   All photographers and videographers must attend.
Location: Lower.com Field – Photo Work Room
•   Post-Game Ceremony to immediately follow match.
•   Post-Game Press Conference and Media Availability to follow ceremony.
Location: Lower.Com Field; 96 Columbus Crew Way, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Register and Join Virtual Access: _CLICK HERE_
Password: 23MLSCup
Location: Lower.Com Field – Press Conference Room
•   Shuttles will take media members back to the Sonesta Columbus Downtown.
•   Shuttles will pick up at the Corner of W. Nationwide Blvd. and Columbus Crew Way.
Location: Lower.Com Field; 96 Columbus Crew Way, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Departure Area: Shuttle will depart from the Corner of W. Nationwide Blvd. and Columbus Crew Way
COMMUNICATIONS CONTACTS:
Media Accreditation*:\* Erika Mach (erikammach@gmail.com)
Live Shots at Lower.com Field on Saturday: Berk Communications (mls@berkcommunications.com) & Peter O’Brien (Peter.OBrien@MLSsoccer.com)
Media Shuttle Transportation: Will Jarrett (willjarrett210@gmail.com) and Gabe Gabor (gabriel.gabor@mlssoccer.com)
MLS Cup Press Conferences: Sahar Abdur-Rashid (Sahar.AbdurRashid@MLSsoccer.com)
MLS Media Mixer: Justin Sousa (Justin.Sousa@mlssoccer.com)
MLS State of the League: Lauren Hayes (Lauren.Hayes@MLSsoccer.com)
MLS WORKS: Angela Alfano (Angela.Alfano@mlssoccer.com) & Peter O’Brien (Peter.OBrien@MLSsoccer.com)
Philip F. Anschutz Trophy Arrival: Berk Communications (mls@berkcommunications.com) & Angela Alfano (Angela.Alfano@mlssoccer.com)
Stadium Media Operations: Pedro Ortiz (Pedro.Ortiz@MLSsoccer.com)
PROFESSIONAL REFEREE ORGANIZATION COMMUNICATIONS:
Chris Rivett – Manager, Communications (media@proreferees.com)
COLUMBUS CREW COMMUNICATIONS:
Rob McBurnett – Vice President, Marketing and Communications (rmcburnett@columbuscrew.com)
Eunice Kim – Senior Manager, Communications (ekim@columbuscrew.com)
Esteban Osegueda – Coordinator, Communications (eosegueda@columbuscrew.com)
LAFC COMMUNICATIONS:
Seth Burton – Senior Vice President, Communications and Content (seth.burton@lafc.com)
Crystal Reiter – Director of Communications & Publicity, LAFC/Banc of California Stadium (crystal.reiter@lafc.com)
Alonzo Corona – Manager, Communications (alonzo.corona@lafc.com)
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5
Media may login to participate in the press conferences virtually.
Register: CLICK HERE
Password: 23MLSCup
• 9:40 a.m. – Midfielder Aidan Morris
• 10:30 a.m. – Head Coach Wilfried Nancy
• 11:00 a.m. – First 15 minutes of training open for b-roll.
Location: OhioHealth Performance Center; 1 Black and Gold Blvd, Columbus, Ohio 43211
Parking: Enter via Gate 19 located on Silver Drive. Visitor Parking is available both in front of the building, adjacent to Historic Crew Stadium, and along the shoulder of the turnaround.
Media may login to participate in the press conferences virtually.
Register: CLICK HERE
Password: 23MLSCup
•   Head Coach Steve Cherundolo
•   Midfielder Kellyn Acosta
Location: LAFC Performance Center; 5401 Paseo Rancho Castilla, Los Angeles, CA 90032
Parking: CSULA Lot 5; 5600 Paseo Rancho Castilla, Los Angeles, CA 90032
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6
•   Located at the Southwest box office.
•   ID required. Media may only receive their own credential and may not pickup credentials for colleagues.
Location: Lower.Com Field – Southwest Box Office; 96 Columbus Crew Way, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Major League Soccer will celebrate the arrival of the 2023 MLS Cup presented by Audi in Columbus, Ohio with a giant replica of The Philip F. Anschutz Trophy. The giant replica stands 15 ft. tall and serves as a traveling marketing activation which will be located in the Short North. The replica trophy provides fans with a unique experience to snag photos, receive giveaways and celebrate the Columbus Crew and MLS Cup.
Location: The Short North, Southeast Corner of Goodale and High Street
Parking: Street parking is available nearby on High Street
Notable attendees: Â Â
Josh Glessing, Halam Sports Group Chief of Strategy & Development
Dante Washington, Columbus Crew Legend & Director of Team Strategic Partnerships and Business Operations
Frankie Hejduk, Columbus Crew Circle of Honor Member, 2008 MLS Cup winner and USMNT great
Crew Cat and S.C., Columbus Crew Mascots
RSVP to: MLS@berkcommunications.com
• Approx. 10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. – Media availability
• 11:00 a.m. – First 15 minutes of training open for b-roll.
The Columbus Crew will participate in a training session ahead of 2023 MLS Cup presented by Audi and host in-person media availability.
Location: OhioHealth Performance Center; 1 Black and Gold Blvd, Columbus, Ohio 43211
Parking: Enter via Gate 19 located on Silver Drive. Visitor Parking is available both in front of the building, adjacent to Historic Crew Stadium, and along the shoulder of the turnaround.
•   3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. – Final 15 minutes of training open for b-roll.
•   3:15 p.m. – Media availability
LAFC will participate in a training session with media availability ahead of 2023 MLS Cup presented by Audi. Media who would like to attend must RSVP to LAFC Communications at lafcpr@lafc.com.
Location: LAFC Performance Center; 5401 Paseo Rancho Castilla, Los Angeles, CA 90032
Parking: CSULA Lot 5; 5600 Paseo Rancho Castilla, Los Angeles, CA 90032
RSVP to: lafcpr@lafc.com
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7
Shuttle will take media members from the Sonesta Columbus Downtown to the OhioHealth Performance Center for Columbus Crew media availability and training.
Location: Sonesta Columbus Downtown; 33 E Nationwide Blvd, Columbus, Ohio 43215Â
Departure Area: Lobby transportation desk.
•   Located at the Southwest box office.
•   ID required. Media may only receive their own credential and may not pickup credentials for colleagues.
Location: Lower.Com Field – Southwest Box Office; 96 Columbus Crew Way, Columbus, Ohio 43215
• 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Media availability will take place prior to training.
• 11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. – The first 15 minutes of training will be open for b-roll.
Location: OhioHealth Performance Center; 1 Black and Gold Blvd, Columbus, Ohio 43211
Parking: Enter via Gate 19 located on Silver Drive. Visitor Parking is available both in front of the building, adjacent to Historic Crew Stadium, and along the shoulder of the turnaround.
Media Entrance:Â Media will enter through the West Lobby entrance.
•   Shuttle will take media members from OhioHealth Performance Center to Lower.com Field for player press conferences.
Location: OhioHealth Performance Center; 1 Black and Gold Blvd, Columbus, Ohio 43211
Departure Area: Front entrance of the Performance Center.
Media may login to participate in the press conferences virtually. Translation services will also be provided.
Register: CLICK HEREÂ
Password: 23MLSCup
Participating players include and are subject to change:
• Forward Dénis Bouanga
• Defender Giorgio Chiellini
• Forward Carlos Vela
Media entrance will be through the Tipico Sportsbook Gate by the northwestern corner of the stadium.
Location: Lower.Com Field; 96 Columbus Crew Way, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Parking: North Lot on Nordecke Drive
Media Entrance: Media will enter through the West Lobby entrance.
Media may login to participate in the press conferences virtually. Translation services will also be provided.
Register: CLICK HERE
Password: 23MLSCup
Participating players include and are subject to change:
• Forward Cucho Hernández
• Midfielder Darlington Nagbe
• Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte
Media entrance will be through the Tipico Sportsbook Gate by the northwestern corner of the stadium.
Location: Lower.Com Field; 96 Columbus Crew Way, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Parking: North Lot on Nordecke Drive
Media Entrance: Media will enter through the West Lobby entrance.
•   Shuttle will take media members from Lower.com Field to the OhioHealth Performance Center for LAFC media availability and training.
Location: Lower.Com Field; 96 Columbus Crew Way, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Departure Area: Shuttle will depart from the Corner of W. Nationwide Blvd. and Columbus Crew Way
• Approx. 3:30 p.m. – The final 15 minutes of training will be open for b-roll.
• 3:45 p.m. – Media availability will take place after training, beginning at approximately 4:00 p.m.
Location: OhioHealth Performance Center; 1 Black and Gold Blvd, Columbus, Ohio 43211
Parking: Enter via Gate 19 located on Silver Drive. Visitor Parking is available both in front of the building, adjacent to Historic Crew Stadium, and along the shoulder of the turnaround.
\Media Entrance: \Media will enter the Performance Center from the north entrance via Gate 19 located on Silver Drive.
•   Shuttle will take media members from OhioHealth Performance Center to the Sonesta Columbus Downtown
Location: OhioHealth Performance Center; 1 Black and Gold Blvd, Columbus, Ohio 43211
Departure Area: Front entrance of the Performance Center.
Media are invited to join MLS Communications for a Media Mixer with light food and drinks in celebration of 2023 MLS Cup presented by Audi.
Location: Parlay Sports Bar & Kitchen; 570 N High St, Columbus, Ohio 43215
RSVP to: RSVP Form Link
