The Crew Soccer Academy (CSA) 15/16 and 17/18 squads completed a successful run in the 2009 edition of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase, held at the Reach 11 Sports Complex in Phoenix, Dec. 4-8. All 154 teams in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, representing 77 Development Academy clubs, participated in 234 games during the extended weekend. CSA compiled a combined record of 5-1-0 over the competition, with the 15/16s earning a 2-1-0 record and the 17/18s going unbeaten with a 3-0-0 mark.
The action kicked off on Friday, Dec. 4, with both sides taking on Atlanta Fire United. The 15/16s opened the weekend with a 4-0 victory over their counterparts from AFU, thanks to goals by Ben Crognale, Brett Elder, Alex Ranalli and Max Riehemann. The 17/18s followed with a stirring 6-1 win over Atlanta Fire United, thanks to two goals from Aaron Horton and single tallies by Vaughn Spurrier, Sam Stull, Jack Thompson and Matt Walker.
The squads continued play on Saturday morning, with the 15/16s kicking things off with a 1-0 win over San Diego Surf, behind another goal from Elder. The 17/18s then earned a 2-0 win over Surf, thanks to tallies by Kyle Culbertson and Will Walker.
After resting on Sunday, the teams returned to action on Monday (Dec. 7), concluding the Showcase with matches against D.C. United. While the 15/16s suffered their lone defeat of the weekend, a 4-0 setback, the 17/18s completed an undefeated weekend with an impressive 2-1 win over D.C., with the goals coming from Stull and Tyler Ranalli.
The Winter Showcase incorporated the overall theme for the Development Academy's 2009-10 season - "Every Day Environment." The "Every Day" theme, which included individual training, team training, off field routines and games, were highlighted throughout the weekend in video content featuring members of the Men's National Team and youth national team coaches, and player education opportunities found inside the Players Lounge. Players also had the opportunity to have their individual skills analyzed by a U.S. Soccer national staff coach.
Academy coaches also had the unique opportunity to attend Nike Soccer+ Master Control training sessions, which are a collaboration between Nike and FC Barcelona. Coaches learned about the fundamentals of ball control and possession through live on-field demonstrations, active participation and interactive videos featuring some of the world's best players. In addition to Master Control sessions, U.S. Soccer's national staff coaches and members of the youth national team scouting network lead field and classroom educational opportunities for Academy coaches.
The two CSA squads will now enjoy two and a half months off before kicking off its 2010 schedule on the weekend of Feb. 20 at the Ultimate Soccer Arena in Pontiac, Mich. Both teams will take on Derby County Wolves on Saturday, Feb. 20 with the 15/16s kicking off at 3 p.m., followed by the 17/18s at 5 p.m. Then on Sunday, Feb. 21, the two teams will take on Vardar, with the 15/16s again getting things started with their match at 10 a.m., followed by the 17/18s at 12 noon.
FORMER CREW SOCCER ACADEMY PLAYERS PREPARE FOR NCAA COLLEGE CUP THIS WEEKEND
The 2009 NCAA College Cup is set to be held this weekend (Dec. 11-13) at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C., and several former Crew Soccer Academy players will be on hand trying to lead their respective squads to the 2009 NCAA Men's Soccer Championship. On Friday (Dec. 11), midfielder Andy Lubahn and his Wake Forest Demon Deacon teammates will take on Virginia in a semifinal match, while the undefeated, top-raked Akron Zips will feature defender Chad Barson, midfielders Ben Speas, Brandon Silva and Eric Stevenson and forwards Matt Mason and Thomas Schmitt when they face North Carolina in the second semifinal. The winner of each semifinal match will play on Sunday (Dec. 13) for the 2009 NCAA Men's Soccer Championship. Lubahn was also a member of the ACC All-Freshman team, along with Boston College goalkeeper Justin Luthy, pacing a group of six former CSA members accorded All-Freshman Team honors in their respective conferences. The list is rounded out by Ohio State goalkeeper Matt Lampson (Big Ten Freshman of the Year), Indiana's Matt Wiet (Big Ten), Butler's Tyler Pollock (Horizon), and Davidson's Brian McGue (Southern). Including commitments for next year, CSA has now sent a total of 46 players to the collegiate ranks - 39 of whom have or will compete at the Division I level, while seven represent a few of the nation's finest Division III programs, including Luke Helmuth and Logan Thompson of recently crowned national-champion Messiah.
CREW GEAR STORE KICKS OFF HOLIDAY SALE
The Crew Gear store, located in the administrative offices of Crew Stadium (One Black & Gold Blvd.), is currently holding a special holiday sale, featuring the majority of Crew merchandise and apparel marked down by up to 40 percent. The sale includes jerseys, t-shirts, jackets, pennants and a host of other discounted Crew items. Visit the Crew Gear store now to take advantage of these fantastic savings, while getting all your holiday shopping done. Crew Gear is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
CREW STADIUM AGAIN A COLLECTION SITE FOR ST. STEPHEN'S COMMUNITY HOUSE HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE
Columbus Crew Stadium is once again serving as a collection site for the St. Stephen's Community House Holiday Food Drive. Crew staff, guests and visitors are invited to drop off donations of non-perishable food until Dec. 16 in the Crew Administrative Offices' main lobby. St. Stephen's Community House has been providing vital community services to the Greater Linden area of Northeast Columbus since 1919. The purpose of the Holiday Food Drive is to assist families who find themselves in critical situations during the holiday season, caused or exacerbated by such things as strained fixed incomes, job lay-offs and family illness.
CREW AND COLUMBUS CONNECTIONS DOT '2009 BEST OF U.S. SOCCER' AWARDS BALLOT
Voting continues for the 2009 Best of U.S. Soccer awards, with voting for the 12 categories taking place on ussoccer.com, and the Crew and the Columbus area are represented in several of the voting categories. Crew captain Frankie Hejduk highlights the nominations with his goal at El Salvador on March 28 being considered for Best Clutch Moment. Meanwhile, the Crew's official away game viewing headquarters, Claddagh Irish Pub, has been nominated for Best Soccer Bar. And finally, two photos from the USA vs. Mexico World Cup Qualifier at Crew Stadium on Feb. 11 have been nominated for recognition. "Marching to Columbus" has been nominated for Best Fan Photo, while "Columbus Day" is up for Best Photo. The 2009 Best of U.S. Soccer Awards will be decided entirely by online fan votes submitted over the next week
here
, and the winners will be announced shortly thereafter.
THREE FORMER CREW PLAYERS AMONG NOMINEES FOR 2010 NATIONAL SOCCER HALL OF FAME BALLOT
The National Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum recently distributed its 2010 Player Ballot, which features 24 retired national team and professional players who all have contributed to the growth of soccer in the United States, and it includes three former Crew players: Thomas Dooley, Robin Fraser and Chris Henderson. Dooley, was a defender who suited up for the Crew from 1997-99, making 63 appearances with five goals and four assists. Fraser, currently an assistant coach with recently crowned MLS Cup champ Real Salt Lake, was a standout defender for the Black & Gold in 2004 and 2005, racking up 57 appearances, while earning MLS Defender of the Year honors in '04. Henderson, a midfielder who is making his first appearance on the Hall of Fame ballot, played for the Crew in 2005, making 21 appearances and totaling two goals and three assists. Voters in the player election include selected members of the media, Hall of Famers, past and present U.S. Men's and Women's National Team coaches, MLS and WPS coaches of four or more years tenure, and a select group of soccer administrators. The results will be announced in early 2010.
"A MASSIVE SEASON," BY STEVE SIRK, IN STOCK AND ON SALE NOW AT CREW GEAR STORE
Steve Sirk's book chronicling the Crew's 2008 Championship season, through both his Notebook columns and new material, is in stock and available at Crew Stadium's Crew Gear store, which is open 9-5 Monday-Friday. Sirk is generously donating a portion of the proceeds of all books sold there to the club's charitable arm, the Crew Soccer Foundation. The 480-page book, priced at $20, features all 19 of Sirk's 2008 Notebooks, including the epic MLS Cup recap from California; Recaps of those Notebook-less away games; The blog entries before and after MLS Cup; Several new essays sprinkled throughout; A foreword by Dante Washington; Footnote commentary; Over 140 pro and amateur black & white photos; Notebook snippets from yesteryear; Documentation of the joyous aftermath, from the Statehouse to the White House; and a special section featuring Crew alumni. A must-read for diehard Crew fans, "A Massive Season" is the ultimate championship season scrapbook!
