The following is a press release from the communications department of Columbus Crew SC.
COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew SC today announced that it has signed free agent forward Conor Casey. In addition to tenures in the Bundesliga as well as with the United States Men’s National Team, Casey brings nine years of Major League Soccer experience to Crew SC. With 71 career tallies in MLS, Casey ranks sixth among all active League players in career regular-season goal-scoring. With Casey and Kei Kamara (74), Crew SC becomes the only MLS side to have two players on its current roster with 70 or more all-time regular-season goals. Per club and MLS policy, additional details of the deal were not disclosed.
Free Agent Forward Conor Casey Signs with Columbus Crew SC
Casey helped the Colorado Rapids win the MLS Cup during his fourth year with the club in 2010. He scored the game-tying goal in the 57th minute of the 2010 MLS Cup against FC Dallas and was named MLS Cup MVP following the match. In 2009, following a career-best 16 goal campaign, Casey was named to the MLS Best XI. He has been named as an MLS All-Star twice, including to the gameday roster for the 2009 MLS All-Star Game.
“We are pleased to add Conor Casey to our squad,” said Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter. “He is an MLS Cup champion and in addition to his invaluable amount of experience in this League and in Germany, Conor brings proven goal-scoring ability and a high level of soccer intelligence. We would like to thank Conor for choosing Crew SC and we look forward to integrating him into our system immediately as we continue preseason training.”
After two years at the University of Portland, Casey began his professional career in Germany by signing with Borussia Dortmund. In Germany, he played for Dortmund in addition to Hannover 96, Karlsruher SC and 1. FSV Mainz 05 through 2006, totaling 44 appearances in the first-division Bundesliga as well as 49 in the 2. Bundesliga.
In 2007, Casey returned to North America after joining Toronto FC. He was traded to the Rapids on April 19 of that year, where he went on to score 50 goals over 119 appearances with the club. Casey moved to the Philadelphia Union ahead of the 2013 campaign, where he notched his fourth double-digit MLS goal-scoring season that year after scoring 10 times.
Internationally, Casey has earned 19 caps for the United States, scoring two goals. He made his senior debut for the Stars & Stripes on March 31, 2004 against Poland. On October 10, 2009, he scored two goals at Honduras in a qualification match ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. At the Under-23 level, Casey played in the 2000 Summer Olympics for the United States before becoming a professional.
The Black & Gold continue their preseason with their first camp in Lakewood Ranch, Florida through February 5. After that camp, Crew SC trains at SuperKick from February 8-12 before departing to participate in the Desert Diamond Cup from February 15-27. The Black & Gold begin their 21st season on Sunday, March 6 at Portland and return home for the Opening Match at MAPFRE Stadium on Saturday, March 12 against Philadelphia.
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