COLUMBUS CREW SC DEFENDER SERGIO CAMPBELL
On formally joining Columbus Crew SC
I’m thankful for this opportunity from Columbus Crew SC. It’s everyone’s dream to play professional soccer as a youth soccer player growing up, so I’m really grateful for it. I get to realize that everything is straight business. Every day, you have to be ready to go. If you are not ready, you don’t know what is going to happen, so every day you go out there, you got to be prepared, you got to be sharp and ready to go.
On the preseason on developing his game
It helped me to think quicker. I watch the veteran players and some of the older players on the team, they have the experience and they have been there and done that. I watch them and I try to learn as much as possible from them. The speed of play is very crucial. I think I am getting there and if I can adapt to the speed of play, I’m pretty sure that I can transition over to the league.
On confidence heading into the regular season
It’s only encouragement to work harder. Hopefully, I can get more chances to go out there and gain playing experience. These games are like practice games, they are not like the real thing. During the real thing, I might have a little more nerves. I got a few minutes, but I think that really helped me in developing a bit of experience in what the league is all about.
COLUMBUS CREW SC FORWARD SAGI LEV-ARI
On formally joining Columbus Crew SC
I’m really happy for the great news that I got signed. Hopefully, I can be an impact this year for Crew SC. I had a great preseason. I love the team, I love the coaching staff and hopefully will do well.
On adjusting to the speed of the game and the Crew SC style of play
It is a completely different system than in college and in the beginning it was a little bit harder, but I feel way better now. I got adjusted to the speed and adjusted to the coaches and what the coaches want and hopefully I’ll do well during the season.
On confidence heading into the regular season
It gives you a little confidence to be an unsigned draft pick and score a goal, to keep playing your game. My game is about scoring goals. I scored a goal and I got more confident and after I got to play as a center forward, so I’m glad.
COLUMBUS CREW SC DEFENDER KALEN RYDEN
On formally joining Columbus Crew SC
Obviously, I’m super excited to join the team. It’s a great organization here, great coaching staff, a lot of great players. I’m just happy and blessed to have an opportunity to play for an MLS team and excited to get started with this season
On adjusting to the speed of the game and the Crew SC style of play
It was a pretty quick turnaround, I got drafted and then the next day I was in Columbus. Training started that Saturday when we first got to Florida. It took me a few days to adapt to the style of play and this level of play is obviously a lot different than college. Like I said, it took me a few days. I finally settled down and I feel comfortable now with my play.
On confidence heading into the regular season
As a player, any minutes you get in a game, it is going to boost your confidence. Obviously, mine was boosted some just getting some minutes over the past couple of weeks. That is going to be good for my confidence going into the season, hoping to get some more minutes as the season progresses.
