COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew 2 begins its 2023 MLS NEXT Pro campaign on the road against New York Red Bulls II at MSU Soccer Park in Montclair, N.J., tonight, Sunday, March 26 [7 p.m. ET / MLS Season Pass on Apple TV]. Ahead of the season opener, Crew 2 unveiled additions to the coaching and support staff and released the full roster of players signed to MLS NEXT Pro professional contracts.
Joining 2022 MLS NEXT Pro Coach of the Year Laurent Courtois’ coaching staff this season is Assistant Coach Alex Blackburn. Blackburn joins Crew 2 after spending the 2019-22 seasons as the Goalkeeper Coach with Greenville Triumph SC. Prior to his time with the USL League One side, Blackburn spent five years as an assistant at his alma mater Monmouth University. A four-year letter winner at the West Long Branch, New Jersey school, Blackburn tallied 23 shutouts and 26 wins as a goalkeeper for the Hawks. Blackburn arrives in Columbus following Phil Boerger’s appointment as First Team Goalkeeper Coach.
Also entering her first season on the Crew 2 staff is Elena Lemus, Manager of Crew 2 Soccer Operations. Lemus joins Crew 2 from Charlotte FC where she was Player Liaison for the club’s inaugural MLS season. She additionally has experience as Team Administrator for Phoenix Rising (2021) and as the Operations Coordinator for FC Cincinnati (2019-21).
Returning for their second season with the defending MLS NEXT Pro champions are Assistant Coach Kobie Johnson, Head of Individual Development and Coaching Dan Lock, Performance Coach Ahmad Salamah, Head Athletic Therapist Sara Kusner and Equipment Manager Mike Peters.
Current 2023 Crew Season Ticket Members can add Crew 2 Season Ticket Memberships for $70, just $5 per match, via their account manager. Crew 2 Season Ticket Memberships for the general public are available for $112 here. Supporters also have the option to purchase Crew 2 season parking when purchasing Crew 2 Season Ticket Memberships. Single-match tickets for Crew 2 contests are on-sale here. The full Crew 2 season schedule can be found here.
The Columbus Crew 2 roster of players signed to MLS NEXT Pro professional contracts is listed numerically below:
