CROGNALE MAKES FIRST REGULAR-SEASON START OF 2019
Defender
Alex Crognale
made his first regular-season start of 2019 for Crew SC during Sunday's home contest against Sporting Kansas City Crognale recorded 48 touches, attempted 44 passes and finished with a passing percentage of 79.5 Since joining Major League Soccer in 2017, Crognale has made 23 regular-season appearances (12 starts), scoring one goal and providing one assist. Additionally, Crognale also started in and played all 90 minutes of two consecutive matches for Crew SC during the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
GUZMAN REACHES 50TH MLS REGULAR-SEASON APPEARANCE
With his appearance in Sunday's home match against Sporting Kansas City, midfielder David Guzman recorded his 50th MLS regular-season appearance (44th start). Guzman played the entire 90 minutes, had one shot (one on goal), created one goal-scoring chance, registered 59 touches, made three tackles, attempted 46 passes and finished with a passing percentage of 84.8. Since joining Crew SC on May 8 of 2019, Guzman has recorded six regular-season appearances (five starts) while scoring four goals and providing eight assists.
GYASI ZARDES REGISTERS BRACE FOR U.S. MNT
Gyasi Zardes recently registered a brace for the U.S. Men's National Team in a 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup group stage match against Trinidad and Tobago (June 22). Zardes started for the U.S. and scored his first goal of the night in the 66th minute, after receiving a cross from Nick Lima inside the box. The forward scored his second goal of the evening in the 69th minute, curling in a shot from the edge of the box after receiving a pass from Christian Pulisic to make it 3-0. The brace was Zardes' second with the Stars and Stripes, taking him to 10 tallies with the U.S. and helped his side win 6-0. Notably, the goal also marked Zardes third goal in his last two matches. To date, Zardes has earned 47 caps with the U.S. since making his debut in a friendly against Chile on January 28, 2015. Zardes joined Crew SC ahead of the 2018 season and has made 48 regular-season appearances (all starts) for the Club while scoring 25 goals and providing one assist.
ZACK STEFFEN CAPTAINS U.S. MNT, REGISTERS SHUTOUT
Zack Steffen wore the captain armband for the U.S. Men's National Team in a 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup group stage match against Trinidad and Tobago (June 22). The match marked the first time Steffen has worn the armband for the U.S., and made him the seventh player to captain the squad in 2019. Steffen made three saves en route to recording his second consecutive shutout, helping the Stars and Stripes to a 6-0 victory. To date, the goalkeeper has earned 12 caps with the American squad and recorded five clean sheets since making his debut as a substitute in a friendly match against Bosnia-Herzegovina on January 28, 2018.
WIL TRAPP STARTS FOR U.S. MNT
Wil Trapp earned his 19th cap with the U.S. Men's National Team as he started in a 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup group stage match against Panama (June 26). The midfielder helped the U.S. to a 1-0 victory, allowing the Stars and Stripes to finish atop Group D, ahead of Panama (six points), Guyana (one point) and Trinidad and Tobago (one point). Trapp earned his first cap for the Stars and Stripes on January 28, 2015 in a friendly at Chile, entering as a second-half substitute. In 2019, he has made 15 regular-season appearances (all starts) for Crew SC, tallying one assist.
JONATHAN MENSAH FEATURES FOR GHANA
Jonathan Mensah recently started for the Ghana National Team in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Group Stage match against Benin (June 25). The defender came in as a substitute for Samuel Owusu in the 59th minute of the contest, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Ghana is currently in Group F of the tournament, behind Cameroon (three points), level on points with Benin (one point), and ahead of Guinea-Bissau (no points). To date, Mensah has earned 59 caps for Ghana since making his debut in a friendly match against Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2010 (March 3). Since joining Crew SC ahead of the 2017 season, Mensah has made 68 regular-season appearances (66 starts) while scoring three goals and providing one assist.
CREW SC HOLDS OPENING CEREMONY FOR MINI-PITCH AT EAKIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
On Wednesday, Crew SC held an opening ceremony to unveil a new, state-of-the-art mini-pitch at Eakin Elementary, dedicated to the members of the Save the Crew group. Crew SC President Tim Bezbatchenko, Crew SC Head Coach Caleb Porter, Columbus City Councilmember Elizabeth Brown, Columbus City Schools Superintendent Dr. Talisa Dixon and U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Safe Places to Play Director Alex Bard were all in attendance. Following the ceremonial first kick, children participated in soccer activities on the new pitch, with Crew SC players Alex Crognale, Jon Kempin, Patrick Mullins and Josh Williams serving as coaches in addition to signing autographs for the children and posing for pictures. The mini-pitch is part of the U.S. Soccer Foundation's Soccer for Succes program. Offered free to participants, Soccer for Success is meant to help kids establish healthy habits and develop critical life skills through trained coach-mentors and family engagement.
THE LATE SIGI SCHMID TO BE INDUCTED INTO CREW SC'S CIRCLE OF HONOR
On Saturday, during Crew SC’s home contest against Orlando City SC, the late Sigi Schmid will be inducted in to Crew SC's Circle of Honor - the Crew’s highest accolade that pays homage to its most iconic performers and personalities. The recognition, which is set to take place at half time, will feature members of the Schmid family, and will include Schmid’s name becoming a permanent fixture upon the upper fascia at MAPFRE Stadium alongside the names of previous inductees Brian McBride and Frankie Hejduk. Additionally, the first 7,500 supporters to enter the stadium will receive a complimentary Circle of Honor scarf. Schmid served as the Head Coach of the Columbus Crew from 2006-2008, leading the Club to its first MLS Cup in 2008 as part of a domestic double that also saw the Black & Gold win the Supporters’ Shield that year. That same season, Schmid was named the recipient of the MLS Coach of the Year Award, a League award that is now named after him.
