COLUMBUS, Ohio - The MLS Cup-champion Columbus Crew announced Wednesday that Claddagh Irish Pub (Downtown) will serve as the club's "Official Away Game Headquarters" in 2009. Claddagh Irish Pub is located at 585 South Front Street in the Brewery District.
"The Claddagh Irish Pub is both excited and honored to be the official viewing location for the best club in the country," said General Manager Craig McConville. "The friends and fans of the Crew can look forward to a great location which shares their love of the Black & Gold!"
The new relationship between the Crew and Claddagh Irish Pub kicks off on Saturday, March 21, when the Black & Gold visit Western Conference-power Houston at 8 p.m. (ET) on Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports en Español. Starting that night and continuing throughout the 2009 season, Claddagh Irish Pub will feature each Crew away game on numerous televisions throughout the bar, with live audio from the telecast. Prizes and merchandise, courtesy of the Crew, will be available to those in attendance. Fans will also be able to enjoy food and fun along with cold Budweiser products.
"We are extremely pleased to launch this new partnership with Claddagh," said Chad Schroeder, Crew VP of Corporate Sales & Broadcasting. "Craig and his staff will be terrific hosts for our Crew supporters and fans."
CREW CONTINUES PREPARATION FOR 2009 MLS SEASON IN AUSTIN, TEXAS
The Crew is in the final stages of its 2009 preseason preparations as it is now in Austin, Texas, for a five-day training trip which includes matches on Thursday (March 12) against a composite team of area professional and collegiate players, and Saturday (March 14), against the Austin Aztex FC of the United Soccer Leagues First Division. The Black & Gold currently holds a 5-2-0 record in preseason play and it will look to finish its preseason schedule on a successful note during its excursion to Texas. The Crew's full preseason schedule and results to date is below:
Date: Opponent; Result
2/10: D.C. United; L, 2-1
2/12: Puerto Rico Islanders; L, 2-0
2/14: U.S. Under-20s; W, 3-1
2/18: U. of Tampa; W, 2-0
2/18: U. of South Florida; W, 6-0
3/1: Everton FC Reserves; W, 5-1
3/3: Guiseley FC; Rain Out
3/5: Liverpool FC Reserves; W, 2-0
3/12: Composite; 3:30 p.m. (ET)
3/14: Austin Aztex FC; 8:30 p.m. (ET)
CREW TO HOLD BONE MARROW DONOR REGISTRATION DRIVE FRIDAY, SATURDAY AT CREW STADIUM
Inspired by the plight of Marcia Williams, wife of former Crew midfielder Andy Williams (1998-99), the Crew will be holding a bone marrow donor registration drive at its administrative offices on Friday (March 13) from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday from 1-3 p.m. (while supplies last). The non-invasive process is quick and easy. Marcia, whose husband now plays for Real Salt Lake, is battling a rare form of Leukemia. Doctors around the world search the National Marrow Donor Program Registry to find donors for their patients. If selected as a suitable match for a patient, the registrant may be asked to donate bone marrow or circulating blood cells. Patients need donors between the ages of 18 and 60 who meet health guidelines and are willing to donate to any patient in need. For more information on joining the Registry, please visit www.marrow.org. For more information on the Crew's drive, please call 614-447-CREW. For more information on Marcia's story, please visit:
SoccerUnitesUtah.com
.
CREW WINS EXPY AWARD
The Crew was recognized with a 2009 Expy Award at the Experience Columbus Annual Meeting on March 10. Experience Columbus board chair Fred Ransier and president and CEO Paul Astleford presented the sixth annual awards to businesses and organizations that helped to create a more vibrant Columbus experience in 2008. Award recipients are selected for developing innovative, exciting experiences for visitors, attracting or generating positive media attention or otherwise enhancing Greater Columbus as a destination for conventions, meetings and leisure visitors. The Crew was honored for bringing home the city's biggest professional sports championship - MLS Cup 2008 - and in so doing, generating tremendous national and international media coverage and interest in the region. This year's other winners were the Arnold Sports Festival, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Franklin Park Conservatory. Experience Columbus is the destination sales and marketing organization for the Greater Columbus community. Formerly the Greater Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau, Experience Columbus works with the Columbus community to create a competitive distinction in the visitor marketplace, attracting leisure visitors, conventions and meetings.
SINGLE-GAME TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR 2009 CREW HOME SCHEDULE
Single-game tickets for the MLS Cup-Champion Crew's 2009 home schedule are on sale now at the Crew Stadium Box Office and all central Ohio Ticketmaster retail locations, via Ticketmaster phone at 800-745-3000 and on-line at TheCrew.com. The Crew's 2009 home schedule features a total of 11 Saturday games - including First Kick 2009, March 28, vs. Toronto - three Sunday matches and one Wednesday match. Another highlight is the Sept. 26 match vs. David Beckham and the LA Galaxy. Fans can also still become Crew Soccer Nation members by purchasing full-season ticket packages or partial plans, starting as low as $95 for 5-Packs. Group tickets are also available for all 15 home games. All ticket packages or plans are available through TheCrew.com and 614-447-CREW.
CREW SOCCER ACADEMY SQUADS EARN DECISIVE WINS IN CINCINNATI
The Crew Soccer Academy squads continued play in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy last Sunday (March 8), as they travelled to Cincinnati to take on Ohio Elite SA. Both squads earned decisive victories, as the U-15/16 squad defeated Ohio Elite, 5-0, thanks to goals by Kyle Culbertson, Chris Davis, Ross Friedman, Ryan Rausch and Wil Trapp, while the U-17/18 squad earned a 4-1 defeat over their counterparts from Ohio Elite, with two goals coming from Brandon Silva and one apiece from Tyler Polluck and Matt Mason. In goal, Jacob Rice had 1 save for the U-16s, while Justin Luthy recorded four saves for the U-18s. The two squads will travel to Elma, NY this weekend to take on Empire United on Saturday (March 14), with the U-16s, who have a 4-2-4 record to date, kicking off at 6 p.m., followed by the U-18s, who currently hold a record of 5-2-3, at 8 p.m.
