COLUMBUS — With the 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier between the United States Men’s National Team and Mexico at Crew Stadium just four days away, the Crew has announced several soccer-specific activities ahead of the marquee match-up at Crew Stadium on Tuesday, September 10.
The list of events below feature Crew, Major League Soccer and U.S. Soccer activities over the next week. All events, players and times are subject to change.
Columbus’ Mayor Michael Coleman launched a campaign earlier this week for the Columbus community to “Raise Their American Flag” in support of this match as well as the President’s Cup coming to town in early October. Fans can also show their support on social media by using the campaign hashtag #raiseyourflag.
Event: U.S. Soccer Fan Headquarters
Date: Friday, September 6th: 2:30 – 6:00 p.m. ET
Location: Easton Town Center
Personnel: OhioHealth Crew Action Team, U.S. Soccer
Details: The OhioHealth Crew Action Team will be promoting the Crew’s bike giveaway and giving away other Columbus Crew prizes. The centerpiece of the Headquarters will be the futsal court, a five-a-side field located in the Town Square. The court will be open to the public for pick-up games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. See more at: http://bit.ly/15GYItd
Event: United States versus Costa Rica Watch Party
Date: Friday, September 6th: 9:00 – 12:00 a.m. ET
Location: Fado Irish Pub -- 4022 Townsfair Way, Columbus, OH 43219
Personnel: U.S. Soccer and Crew Brand Ambassador Frankie Hejduk
Details: Men's National Team take on Costa Rica at Fado Irish Pub – a U.S. Soccer Official Bar. In recognition of the “Snowclasico” from March 22 when the USA defeated Costa Rica in blizzard-like conditions in Denver, fans are encouraged to wear their best "snow gear" to Fado. Prizes will be awarded to the best dressed, and Fado will be serving snow cones and popsicles throughout the buildup to the Sept. 6 game. Additionally, U.S. Soccer will bring back its popular "bar squares" game that debuted in Seattle.
Event: U.S. Soccer Fan Headquarters
Date: Saturday, September 7th: 10:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Easton Town Center
Personnel: Crew Staff, U.S. Soccer
Details: Visit the Crew Soccer Tour in the U.S. Soccer Fan Headquarters at Easton Town Center. The centerpiece of the Headquarters will be the futsal court, a five-a-side field located in the Town Square. The futsal court will be open to the public for pick-up games. See more at: http://bit.ly/15GYItd
Event: Crew Pub Tour
Date: September 7th: 7:30 - 10:00 p.m. ET
Location: 4th Street Patio Bar & Grill
Personnel: OhioHealth Crew Action Team
Details: Come join the OhioHealth Crew Action Team to watch the Crew take on Sporting Kansas City at 4th Street Patio. There will be prizes, games and drink specials all night
Event: US Soccer Fan Headquarters and Frankie Hejduk Challenge Cup
Date: Sunday, September 8th: 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. ET; Challenge Cup from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET
Location: Easton Town Center
Personnel: OhioHealth Crew Action Team
Details: The OhioHealth Crew Action Team will be promoting The Crew’s bike giveaway and giving away other Columbus Crew prizes. The futsal court will be open to the public for pick-up games. See more at: http://bit.ly/15GYItd. From 1 – 6 p.m., former MNT star Frankie Hejduk has put the challenge out to fans in Columbus. On Sunday, the futsal court at #FanHQ will host the Frankie Hejduk Challenge Cup. Local adult teams will compete in a futsal tournament for the right to play Frankie Hejduk and his team and lift the inaugural Frankie Hejduk Challenge Cup. Games will kick off at 1 p.m. and the Challenge Match will be played at 5 p.m. Limited spaces are still available for players interested in participating in the Challenge Cup. Games will be 4v4 with goalkeepers and minimum age of participants is 16. Teams can apply to participate at http://bit.ly/19p6gVp Participation is free, but space is limited and will be held on a first come, first serve basis.
Event: Casting with the Crew
Date: Monday, September 9th: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET
Location: O’Shaughnessy Reservoir – Home Rd. Boat Dock, Powell, OH 43065
Personnel: Crew players, coaches and executives
Details: Crew players, coaches and executives will team up with recent Purple Heart recipients from the region for a special day. Using boats, gear and guides supplied by The Ohio Bass Federation, the group will spend the morning on the waters of O’Shaughnessy Reservoir fishing for bass. After returning to shore, everyone will enjoy a barbecue lunch provided by Kroger. Boats are available to media that are interested in attending the event.
Event: U.S. Soccer Happy Hour and Pep Rally
Date: Monday, September 9th: 5:00 p.m. ET
Location: The Bluestone – 583 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215
Personnel: U.S. Soccer, MNT Head Coach Jurgen Klinsmann, Frankie Hejduk, Brian McBride
Details: The U.S. Men's National Team will hold a happy hour and pep rally with supporters on Sept. 9 at the Bluestone in Columbus the night before the critical home match against Mexico. The happy hour will start at 5:00 p.m. and feature food and drink specials, as well as DJ Paul Devro playing for the fans. The pep rally will feature U.S. MNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann and select members of the team who will be on hand to interact with supporters. The event will also include appearances by World Cup veterans and former Columbus Crew standouts Frankie Hejduk and Brian McBride. Admittance is free for all fans, but space is limited as pep rally admission is on a first-come, first-served basis. To cap off the evening, after the pep rally, fans are invited to attend the American Outlaws Night Before party at 4th Street Bar (1810 N. 4th St., Columbus, OH 43201).
Event: Jozy Altidore Cleat Raffle
Date: Now - Wednesday, September 11th
Location:www.thecrew.com/ursofund
Personnel: Jozy Altidore, CSF
Details: United States Men’s National Team Forward Jozy Altidore will honor Kirk Urso when he wears a pair of custom adidas cleats for the 2014 World Cup Qualifying match against Mexico on September 10. The cleats will be signed by Jozy following the match and feature Jozy and Kirk’s numbers with a quote from Kirk’s diary. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased through Wednesday, September 11 by visiting the Kirk Urso Memorial Fund website. All proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Jozy Altidore Foundation and the Crew Soccer Foundation’s Kirk Urso Memorial Fund.
Event: Massive Makeover Linden Village Green Space Community Garden with MLS WORKS
Date: Tues, September 10th: 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: 2222 Cleveland Ave. Columbus OH 43211
Personnel: MLS Club Executives and League Staff
Details: Prior to the USA vs. Mexico World Cup Qualifier at Crew Stadium on September 10th, MLS WORKS will partner with the Columbus Crew to conduct a Crew Massive Makeover of the Linden Village Green Space Community Garden. The beautification is an opportunity for staff members from various MLS Clubs and the League office to give back to the Linden community while in town for the MLS Business Summit. MLS will join community volunteers to carryout various activities including building a fence on the property, assembling a storage unit, patio and pergola, installing benches and a swing, planting flowers and trees and prepping planters for next season’s vegetables. The day of service is part of “Community Care Day” in the City of Columbus and is in conjunction with the Greater Linden Development Corporation and the United Way of Columbus. Davey Tree, JD Equipment and Scotts Miracle-Gro will be donating time, staff, equipment, product and expertise to complete this project. This project is being produced in partnership with Linden Village Green Space, Community Garden Too, Sankofa Urban Farming Project, Linden Garden Association, Fostering in the Community, Greater Linden Development Corporation and the City of Columbus.
Event: MLS Business Summit
Date: Tuesday, September 10th – Thursday, September 12
Location: Renaissance Columbus Downtown Hotel -- 50 N 3rd St, Columbus, OH 43215
Personnel: MLS and club executives
Details: In conjunction with Major League Soccer, the 2013 MLS Business Summit is being held in Columbus September 10-12, 2013. For the second consecutive year, the Summit brings together representatives in every functional area from the League office and all member clubs to develop strategies and share best practices.
