COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew today named Vadim Kirillov an assistant coach. His primary responsibility will be coaching the Crew's goalkeepers. He replaces Eduardo "Eddie" Carvacho, who resigned the post to assume a new role in the club's front office (item below).
Kirillov comes to Columbus from the New York metropolitan area, where he was the goalkeeper coach for the MetroStars/New York Red Bulls reserves and youth development teams that competed in the USL Super Y-League in 2005-06. At the same time, he was an assistant coach at Adelphi University, which last fall earned its first berth in the NCAA Division I Tournament since 1992.
"We're excited to have someone of Vadim's experience on our coaching staff," said Head Coach Sigi Schmid. "He will be a great mentor to our young goalkeepers, passing on his experiences and preparing them for this season and seasons ahead."
A former player for legendary Soviet Union Premier League club Spartak Moscow, Kirillov has also coached goalkeepers of the U-14 U.S. National Team, ODP U.S. Region 1 club and ODP New Jersey state team. He holds a Master's degree in Political and Economical Science from Moscow State University in Russia.
EDUARDO "EDDIE" CARVACHO NAMED DIRECTOR OF HISPANIC BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Eduardo "Eddie" Carvacho, who spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach, has resigned that position to join the club's front office in the newly created role of Director of Hispanic Business Development. Carvacho will work to create a first-class rapport with central Ohio's growing Hispanic community and develop multi-dimensional relationships with area Hispanic businesses, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, soccer leagues, cultural centers, community centers and the general population.
"My objective is very simple," Carvacho said. "I am the connector within our organization between the growing Hispanic community and those wishing to market to it through the Crew. The Crew has done a good job in its efforts to reach our community. It has broadcast its games on the radio in Spanish and provided Copa Victoria, an adult soccer tournament free of charge to our 'Ligas.' This is very positive. My role is to take it to new levels, by building honest relationships, trust and loyalty. My hat's off to the Crew management for having the vision and desire to have me entrenched in our community."
Carvacho is a native of Chile, who moved to the U.S. in his youth and went on to play soccer both collegiately, at the University of South Alabama, and then professionally. He will also join the Crew's Spanish radio booth this season, as all 30 regular-season games will be broadcast live on Radio Sol 1550-AM.
CREW ACQUIRES 2008 SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT PICK FROM D.C. IN EXCHANGE FOR MARC BURCH
The Crew today acquired D.C. United's natural third-round selection in the 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft, in exchange for defender Marc Burch. Burch, who also saw time at forward during his rookie season of 2006, appeared in seven games (five starts) for the Crew last year, after being acquired from Los Angeles on July 11. He made three appearances for the Galaxy, after being selected in the second round of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft.
CREW KICKOFF PARTY AT EASTON
The Columbus Crew Kickoff Party is coming to Easton on Thursday, April 5, from 4-7 p.m. Select members of the 2007 Crew will be on hand to sign autographs for fans and the party will also feature Crew interactive inflatables like the Radar Speed Kick. There will also be plenty of prizes to be given away at the Crew Prize Wheel, including game tickets and mini soccer balls, and the Crewzers Professional Dance Team will be on hand painting faces for children.
CREW CHALLENGE AT GAMEWORKS
After the Crew Kickoff Party, stay at Easton for the Crew Challenge at GameWorks, also Thursday, April 5, from 7-9 p.m. GameWorks is located in the Easton Town Center and the Crew Challenge is a interactive event you won't want to miss, as fans will have the opportunity to interact with Crew players and members of the Crewzers Professional Dance Team, challenge them on any of GameWorks' games and attractions and receive autographs.
LIMITED EDITION LAMAR HUNT COIN GIVEAWAY TO HIGHLIGHT OPENING DAY
The Crew will be honoring the memory of Lamar Hunt throughout the 2007 season, beginning on Opening Day, April 7, with a Limited Edition Commemorative Coin that will be given away to the first 5,000 fans through the gates. The Crew will take on the New York Red Bulls at 7 p.m. that evening, with gates opening at 5 p.m.
The piece, measuring an inch-and-a-half in diameter, will be presented in a black velvet pouch. The two-sided coin will feature the likeness and signature of Mr. Hunt on one side, and the Crew logo along with an image of Crew Stadium on the reverse. All Crew Soccer Nation Gold Members will also receive this piece as part of their 2007 Fan Pack. The Hunt coin will be used for the official coin toss at the start of every Crew home game.
Details on the club's other plans to memorialize Hunt and honor his memory will be forthcoming. Hunt died on Dec. 13, 2006 following a long battle with cancer.
CREW TO RECEIVES CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON MONDAY
On Monday, April 2, Columbus City Council presented the Crew with a Resolution of Expression recognizing the club's first 11 seasons and wishing it luck as it enters its 12th. Crew General Manager Mark McCullers and Head Coach Sigi Schimd led the Crew's continent, that also included veteran defender Ezra Hendrickson and Director of Hispanic Business Development Eduardo "Eddie" Carvacho. Council Member Priscilla R. Tyson introduced the Resolution. The Crew opens its 12th season at home on Saturday, April 7, against the New York Red Bulls, at 7 p.m.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
APRIL
5 10 a.m. - Training
6 10 a.m. - Training
7 7 p.m. - Season Opener vs. New York Red Bulls
8 OFF
9 10 a.m. - Training
10 10 a.m. - Training
