COLUMBUS –The Columbus Crew today announced its 2014 preseason schedule for the club’s first campaign under Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter. The Black & Gold are once again spending the majority of preseason training camp in Florida, with the team heading to the IMG Academy in Bradenton before taking part in the 2014 Walt Disney Pro Soccer Classic in Orlando.
Players report to Columbus on January 24 for the club’s initial preseason training sessions and entrance physicals, and they will train in Central Ohio for two days to officially open preseason camp.
On January 26, the team heads to Bradenton, Fla. to train at the IMG Academy for 13 days before returning to Columbus on February 7. At least five MLS teams – including the Black & Gold – are expected to train and compete in a series of friendlies beginning in late January and continuing through the end of February, joining the Chicago Fire, D.C. United, New England Revolution and Toronto FC training in Bradenton.
The team trains in Columbus for one week – from February 8-15 – before making a second trip to Florida, this time to again take part in the fifth annual Disney Pro Soccer Classic, where it will compete against seven other professional teams to prepare for the 2014 MLS Season. The Crew fell 1-0 to the Montreal Impact in the championship match of the tournament last season, as the Black & Gold look to take home the preseason title ahead of the 2014 campaign. Taking place February 19 through March 1 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., the Crew will make Central Florida its preseason training home for the second phase of camp. Fellow MLS sides Philadelphia Union, Montreal Impact and reigning MLS Cup champion Sporting Kansas City, as well as Orlando City FC (USL PRO) have all committed to participate in the tournament. Three additional teams are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Following the Disney Pro Soccer Classic, the Black & Gold will return to Columbus to prepare for their MLS season-opener on March 8 against D.C. United at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.
COLUMBUS CREW PRESEASON SCHEDULE
<p>Jan. 24</p> |
<p>Preseason camp opens</p> |
<p>Jan. 24-25</p> |
<p>Team trains in Columbus</p> |
<p>Jan. 26</p> |
<p>Team departs for Bradenton, Fla.</p> |
<p>Feb. 7</p> |
<p>Crew returns to Columbus</p> |
<p>Feb. 8-15</p> |
<p>Team trains in Columbus</p> |
<p>Feb. 16</p> |
<p>Crew departs for Orlando, Fla.</p> |
<p>Feb. 19 - March 1</p> |
<p>Disney Pro Soccer Classic</p> |
<p>March 2</p> |
<p>Crew returns to Columbus</p> |
Note: All dates and times are subject to change. Preseason friendlies may be added at any time.
