COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew SC today announced its full preseason schedule in advance of the 2016 Major League Soccer season, highlighted by camps in Lakewood Ranch, Florida and in Central Ohio ahead of participation in the 2016 Desert Diamond Cup – a preseason tournament in Tucson, Arizona.
Columbus Crew SC 2016 Preseason Schedule Announced
Under Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter, the 2016 MLS Preseason begins on Friday, January 22, 2016 for entrance physicals and testing. From there, the club departs to Lakewood Ranch, Florida for the second consecutive season for its first preseason camp. Crew SC is slated to remain in Lakewood Ranch through February 5 before returning to Columbus.
The team will be in Central Ohio at SuperKick in Powell from February 8 – February 12 for the second camp of preseason. Following the time in Ohio, the club travels to Tucson, Arizona to participate in the fifth annual Desert Diamond Cup. Hosted by FC Tucson of the USL Premier Development League (PDL), Crew SC is set to be joined by five other MLS sides as well as two USL teams and the hosts in the tournament.
In the Desert Diamond Cup, the Black & Gold are currently scheduled to play Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday, February 17 (8:00 p.m. ET) followed by contests against Real Salt Lake on Saturday, February 20 (7:00 p.m. ET) and the Swope Park Rangers (USL) on Wednesday, February 24 (8:00 p.m. ET). An additional matchday on Saturday, February 27 awaits Crew SC depending on results. More information for the tournament can be found at http://bit.ly/DDCTickets.
Columbus Crew SC Preseason and MLS Opening Match Schedule
January 22nd: MLS Preseason begins. Team in Columbus for entrance physicals and testing.
January 23rd-February 5th: Camp in Lakewood Ranch, FL
February 8th-12th: Camp in Powell, OH (SuperKick)
February 15th-28th: Desert Diamond Cup (Tucson, AZ)
February 17th: Crew SC vs. Sporting Kansas City
February 20th: Crew SC vs. Real Salt Lake
February 24th: Crew SC vs. Swope Park Rangers
February 27th: TBA (final matches of Desert Diamond Cup)
March 6th: 2016 MLS opener at Portland Timbers (4:30 PM ET, ESPN)
March 12th: 2016 MLS home opener vs. Philadelphia Union
Note: All dates and times subject to change. Preseason friendlies may be added at any time.
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