Columbus Crew 2 Explained

Columbus Crew 2 is a professional soccer team based in Columbus, Ohio that competes in the MLS Next Pro league, the third division of American soccer. The team is owned by, and operates as the reserve team of the Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew. The team plays home matches at Historic Crew Stadium. The team was announced as a member of MLS Next Pro on December 6, 2021.^[3]

History

On December 6, 2021, the Columbus Crew announced the formation of a reserve team in MLS Next Pro that would begin play in the 2022 season and that they would play at Historic Crew Stadium (the parent club's former home venue) in Columbus, Ohio.^[4] At the same time, the club announced its first manager, Corey Wrey, who is the Crew's current Assistant General Manager, a position he will continue to hold.^[5] The Crew 2 will be one of 21 teams that play in the newly formed league.^[6] On January 28, 2022, the Crew announced that Laurent Courtois would serve as the team's first head coach.^[7]

The club played their first match on March 26, 2022, which ended in a 0–2 loss to Inter Miami CF II at DRV PNK Stadium.^[8] The first win came the following week with a 1–0 victory over Chicago Fire FC II.^[9]

Crew 2 won the first ever MLS Next Pro Cup title, defeating St. Louis City SC 2 4-1 on October 8, 2022.^[10]

The following year, the team once again qualified for the playoffs and made it to the Cup Final. They were defeated 1–3 by Austin FC II.^[11]

Players and staff

Current roster

^[12]

Staff

^[13]

Notes and References

1. News: Asta . Diana . Columbus Crew 2 visits the zoo to celebrate Capybara appreciation day . July 11, 2022 . WSYX . July 10, 2022 . en.
2. News: Snipes . Tyler . Capybaras in Columbus? The story behind Crew 2's unexpected identity . September 24, 2022 . MLSNextPro.com . September 24, 2022 . en.
3. Web site: Crew 2. 2021-12-07. ColumbusCrew.com. en.
4. Web site: 2021-12-06. Columbus Crew launches development team, Crew 2. 2021-12-07. NBC4 WCMH-TV. Benatar. Orri. en-US.
5. Web site: Murphy. Pat. 2021-12-06. Columbus Crew announces the creation of Crew 2. 2021-12-07. Massive Report. en. December 6, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211206194015/https://www.massivereport.com/2021/12/6/22820737/columbus-crew-announces-the-creation-of-crew-2-clubs-new-second-team-mls-next-pro. dead.
6. Web site: MLS NEXT Pro unveils 21 clubs for inaugural season starting March 2022 . MLSsoccer.com. MLSsoccer staff. 6 December 2021. 2021-12-07. en.
7. Web site: Crew Communications . Columbus Crew 2 appoints Laurent Courtois as first Head Coach . ColumbusCrew.com . 31 January 2022 . en . 28 January 2022.
8. Web site: mlsnextpro . Rodriguez brace powers Inter Miami II over Columbus Crew 2 MLSSoccer.com . 2022-03-31 . mlsnextpro . en.
9. Web site: devinweisbarth . 2022-04-10 . Crew 2 looks to keep momentum following first win in team history . 2022-04-11 . Massive Report . en.
10. Web site: Columbus Crew 2 hoist MLS NEXT Pro Cup with 4-1 win over St Louis CITY2 . Jesus . Tellitud . MLS Next Pro . October 8, 2022 . October 8, 2022.
11. Web site: mlsnextpro . CLBvsATX 10-22-2023 MLSNEXTPro.com . 2023-10-23 . mlsnextpro . en.
12. Web site: Columbus Crew 2 announces 2023 end-of-year roster decisions. ColumbusCrew.com . November 30, 2023 . en.
13. Web site: Crew 2 Technical Staff . ColumbusCrew.com . 5 March 2022 . en.