The Columbus Crew announced today that it will play host to an international exhibition against Stoke City FC of the English Premier League on Tuesday, July 24, at Crew Stadium. The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. and be classified as ‘Special Game A’ for Crew Soccer Nation Gold members.
Individual advance ticket prices start at $22, and will go on sale Friday, May 25, at 10 a.m., at the Crew Stadium Box Office, all central Ohio Ticketmaster retail locations, via Ticketmaster phone at 1-800-745-3000 and on-line at TheCrew.com, following the completion of exclusive presale offers to Crew Soccer Nation members and other affiliated parties.
“We look forward to welcoming Stoke City to Crew Stadium in July,” said Crew President & General Manager Mark McCullers. “It is an historic club and Premiership teams are always compelling opponents for us, both in terms of the interest they generate among our fans and the competitive test they provide on the field.”
Based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, and founded in 1863, Stoke City is widely considered to be the second oldest professional soccer club in the world, after fellow English club Notts County. Nicknamed 'The Potters,’ after the pottery industry in Stoke-on-Trent, it has played in the Premier League since 2008 and is managed by Tony Pulis. Its most decorated and recognizable player is 6-7 striker Peter Crouch, who has scored 22 times in 42 appearances for England’s national team.
Stoke City has won one major trophy, the 1972 Football League Cup, and nearly added another just last year, when it lost to Manchester City in the FA Cup Final. The club has competed in European competitions on three occasions, most recently in the 2011-12 UEFA Europa League.
The club has ties to American soccer, past and present, as well. In fact, Stoke City players represented the city of Cleveland in 1967 as the Cleveland Stokers during the United Soccer Association’s only season of existence before merging with the NASL. Currently, Stoke City board member Phil Rawlins is the majority owner and president of Orlando City of USL Pro.
Brokered by Santio Sports and Entertainment, the match marks the first ever visit of Stoke City to Crew Stadium. The Crew is 9-4-2 all-time in international exhibitions, including 2-3-2 against teams from the English Premier League. The Black & Gold downed Leeds 2-1 in 1997, tied Newcastle United 2-2 in 2000, defeated Fulham 2-1 in 2005, tied Everton 1-1 in 2006, lost to Aston Villa 3-1 in 2007, fell to West Ham 3-1 in 2008, and lost to Newcastle United 3-0 last July.
Founded by American sports pioneer Lamar Hunt, the Columbus Crew is Ohio's Major League Soccer club, anchoring a diverse sports and entertainment enterprise. One of the league's Charter Members, it won its first MLS Cup championship in 2008 and has also won the 2002 U.S. Open Cup and MLS Supporters’ Shield titles in 2004, 2008 and 2009. It is now in its 17th season overall and 14th at first-of-its-kind Crew Stadium.
Crew Soccer Nation Season Ticket Holder Presale Schedule
Please check your email for info on how to reserve you Crew vs. Stoke City Tickets for Tuesday, July 24th
Monday, May 21 - 9:00am Gold Level Crew Soccer Nation Member Presale Starts
Tuesday, May 22 - 9:00am Black Level Crew Soccer Nation Member Presale Starts
Tuesday, May 22 - 3:00pm Silver Level Crew Soccer Nation Member Presale Starts
Wednesday, May 23 - 9:00am New 4 Pack on sale and group tickets
