As announced by Crew President & General Manager Mark McCullers Saturday on ONN, during the halftime show of the Crew-Rapids game, the Crew will be turning back the clock to 1999 on May 9, in celebration of Crew Stadium's 10th Anniversary. The historic venue opened on May 15, 1999, becoming the first major-league stadium built specifically for soccer, and as part of the May 9 celebration, tickets, parking and select concessions items are being offered at 1999 prices.
Tickets for the 7 p.m. match against the Kansas City Wizards are on sale now, priced for adults at $10 (south end), $12 (north end), $15 (upper sideline), $17 (lower sideline) and $25 (club). Youth pricing will feature $14 upper and lower sideline tickets and be the same as adults for both endlines and club. Parking will cost just $5, hot dogs only $2, a 32-oz. fountain drink in souvenir cup $3 and a limited edition commemorative T-shirt will be available for $10.
That night, the Crew will also be honoring Crew Founder and stadium developer Lamar Hunt, burying a time capsule to be opened in 2019, and 1999-themed entertainment will prevail, among many other elements. Further details will be released as the date approaches.
SCHELOTTO SCORES THIRD GOAL OF SEASON IN CREW'S 1-1 DRAW WITH RAPIDS; CLUB OFF THIS WEEKEND BEFORE RETURNING TO ACTION APRIL 25 VS. CHICAGO
2008 MLS MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto notched his third goal of the 2009 season in the Crew's 1-1 draw with Colorado at Crew Stadium last Saturday (April 11). Schelotto, whose tally has earned him Goal of the Week consideration, has scored three of the Crew's five goals so far this season. In the 41st minute of Saturday's match, Emmanuel Ekpo took a chip from defender Gino Padula and dribbled toward the left endline before sending a sharp ball to the penalty spot where Schelotto made a sliding, left-footed strike that beat Rapids goalkeeper Preston Burpo. However, the Black & Gold was unable to hold its lead for the full time, as Conor Casey scored the equalizer in the 82nd minute. The Crew has a bye this weekend before returning to action on April 25, when it will play host to the Chicago Fire in a rematch of the 2008 Eastern Conference Championship won by the Crew.
BRUNNER MAKES MLS DEBUT IN FIRST START FOR HOMETOWN CREW
Dublin, Ohio, native and former OSU star Eric Brunner made his MLS debut last Saturday (April 11), starting for his hometown Crew against the Colorado Rapids and playing the full 90 minutes in the match. Brunner was signed by the Crew on March 18 after most recently playing for Miami FC of the United Soccer Leagues First Division, where he played in 11 games during the USL1 regular season and playoffs. He also made four appearances in the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Originally selected by New York in the second round (No. 16 overall) of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, Brunner began the 2008 MLS season with the Red Bulls before departing in May to join Miami.
MOFFAT MAKES RETURN TO CREW LINEUP
Midfielder Adam Moffat made his return to the Crew lineup last Saturday (April 11) as he started in his first MLS match in nearly 11 months after sitting out the majority of the 2008 MLS season due to injury. Moffat began the 2008 season in the Crew's starting lineup and appeared in seven games, while scoring two goals, before undergoing season-ending surgery to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, suffered during training on June 5.
CREW RESERVE MATCH VS. MARSHALL UNIVERSITY ON APRIL 15 MOVED TO CREW STADIUM
The Crew reserves will host Marshall University in a friendly match on Wednesday, April 15, at 9:30 a.m. at Crew Stadium. The match is free and open to the public.
WORTHINGTON YOUTH BOOSTERS' CREW SOCCER ROCKS CLINICS AT CREW STADIUM TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY
The Columbus Crew begins its schedule of Crew Soccer Rocks soccer clinics in 2009 as it hosts the Worthington Youth Boosters at Crew Stadium Tuesday (April 14) and Wednesday (April 15) at 6 p.m. WYB players will participate in a one-hour session with select Crew players involving skill-training games and technical demonstrations. Each player will receive direct, small-group instruction on soccer-specific skills like dribbling, passing and shooting as well as tips on game strategy and physical fitness. Additionally, Worthington youth coaches will participate in a 30-minute session on coaching techniques and training regimens. Following the clinic, Crew players and coaches will be available to sign autographs and take photographs with participants.
CREW, OHIO STATE TO SQUARE OFF MAY 5 IN EIGHTH ANNUAL CONNOR SENN MEMORIAL MATCH
The Crew and Ohio State Buckeyes will once again meet on the field Tuesday, May 5, in the eighth annual Connor Senn Memorial Match. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium on the campus of Ohio State. The first seven exhibition matches in the annual series have raised more than $125,000 for the Connor Senn Memorial Scholarship Fund, which is now nearly fully endowed.
CREW SOCCER ACADEMY SQUADS READY TO RETURN TO ACTION
The Crew Soccer Academy squads enjoyed a bye week last weekend and will return to action in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy this Saturday (April 18) as both squads will travel to Westfield, Ind., to take on Carmel United. The 15/16s will kick things off at 3 p.m., followed by the 17/18s at 5 p.m. Both matches will take place at Westfield High School in Westfield, Ind. The 15/16s record to date is currently 7-2-6, while the 17/18s sit at 9-3-3 on the season.
