Columbus Crew acquires Gustavo Vallecilla on loan from Colorado Rapids  

COLUMBUS– Columbus Crew today announced that it has acquired Gustavo Vallecilla [pronounced goos-TAH-vo vah-ye-CEE-yuh] on loan for the 2023 Major League Soccer season from the Colorado Rapids in exchange for $175,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money. The Black & Gold hold the option to acquire the 23-year-old center back on a permanent basis following the end of the loan period.

“Gustavo is a promising young center back and we are excited to welcome him to the Black & Gold,” said Columbus Crew President & General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “Gustavo provides depth and a different profile along the back line, and we know his addition will strengthen our defensive corps as he competes for minutes.”

Vallecilla was acquired by the Rapids in March of 2022 via trade with FC Cincinnati and started seven of the 12 First Team matches in which he appeared.

He joined Cincinnati in April of 2021, on loan from Ecuadorian club SD Aucas. That year, he started all 25 of his appearances and scored two goals, prompting FCC to trigger the buy option in his contract at the end of the year.  

Vallecilla began his professional career at the age of 17 with Ecuadorian side Deportivo Cuenca in 2016. In all, he appeared in 47 total matches, representing Deportivo Cuena (2016-18), Aucas (2019-21) and Barcelona SC (2020) prior to joining MLS.

Born in Esmeraldas, Ecuador, Vallecilla made a combined 21 appearances for Ecuador’s Under-20 and U-23 teams, including capturing the U-20 South American Championship and helping to lead his side to a third-place finish in the U-20 World Cup in 2019. He earned his first senior cap in an international friendly against El Salvador on Dec. 5, 2021.

The Columbus Crew hosts D.C. United for the home opener at Lower.com Field on Saturday, March 4 [7:30 p.m. ET / MLS Season Pass on Apple TV / 97.1 HD3 / The Fan App (English); La Mega 103.1 FM (Spanish)].

Partial plans and single-game tickets for Crew matches at Lower.com Field are on-sale and available here.

Soccer fans looking to experience Crew matches have a number of options as Season Ticket Membership for the 2023 season, which are currently on sale, includes benefits such as a subscription to Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass, exclusive, member-only events, a discount at the Crew Shop, monthly, interest free payment plans, the ability to purchase discounted parking, pre-sale access to all events at Lower.com Field, Historic Crew Stadium and FirstEnergy Stadium, and a dedicated account manager and service representative. Fans interested in purchasing Season Ticket Memberships are encouraged to call 614-447-2739, email seasontickets@columbuscrew.com, or visit www.columbuscrew.com/tickets/memberships to get connected with a Season Ticket Member representative.

TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew acquires defender Gustavo Vallecilla on loan for the 2023 MLS Season from the Colorado Rapids in exchange for $175,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money. The Black & Gold hold the option to acquire the 23-year-old center back on a permanent basis following the end of the loan period.

Name:Gustavo Vallecilla [pronounced goos-TAH-vo vah-ye-CEE-yuh]

Position: Defender

Height: 6’1”

Weight:179 lbs.

Born: May 28, 1999, in Esmeraldas, Ecuador

Hometown: Esmeraldas, Ecuador

Citizenship:Ecuador

Acquired:On loan from Colorado Rapids on March 3, 2023

Previous Experience: Colorado Rapids (2022-23), FC Cincinnati (2021-22), Barcelona SC (2020), Aucas (2019-21), Deportivo Cuena (2016-18).