COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew today announced staffing updates within the Crew Academy. Gus Teren joins the Club as the new Under-19 Head Coach, while Nathan Cotton takes on the role of Manager, Academy Scouting & Recruitment. In addition to the staff updates, Crew Academy also shared some if its programming for 2021 season, which includes ongoing Pre-Academy sessions
Teren most recently served as the Academy Technical Director with the D.C. United Academy, where he worked from 2014-2020. He began his tenure in D.C. as the Assistant Coach for the Academy's U-13 and U-14 teams, before taking on the role of U-15 Head Coach and Coordinator of Camps & Training Programs. In addition to his experience at the youth level, Teren was also an assistant coach for Loudoun United FC – D.C. United’s reserve team - under Richie Williams for the 2019 season. In his new role, Tere will coach the Crew Academy’s U-19 team.
Cotton, previously Manager, Academy Operations for the Crew, is set to become the Manager, Academy Scouting & Recruitment. In his new position, Cotton will be tasked with carrying out the Club’s overall strategy of player scouting, managing regional and club relationships, along with overseeing the recruitment and onboarding of academy players. Cotton is in his third season with the Club, having previously worked as the First Team’s Video Performance Analyst in 2019 before taking on the role of Manager, Academy Operations in 2020.
Crew Academy is currently participating in the 2021 MLS Next season at the U-14, U-15, U-17 and U-19 levels. In 2021, the Crew Academy is also continuing its free Pre-Academy program. The Pre-Academy program – which began last fall – consists of supplemental training groups at the Boys’ U-9/10 and U-11/12 levels and is free-to-play for trialists who are selected to the groups. The current Pre-Academy program began in mid-March and is set to run through the end of May.
In addition to the Pre-Academy program, Crew Academy is also set to hold Open ID sessions for players born in 2008, allowing them the chance to join the U-14 team next year. The ID sessions will take place on Wednesday, March 31, and Wednesday, April 7, from 5:00 - 8:30 p.m. ET at Hamilton Township High School’s football stadium (1105 Rathmell Rd, Columbus, Ohio, 43207).
The Crew First Team is currently in Orlando, Florida, for the third leg of its preseason camp. Following the training camp in Orlando, the Crew opens the 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League on the road on April 8 against Nicaraguan side Real Esteli FC in the First Leg of the Round of 16, before hosting Real Esteli at home for the Second Leg on April 15. The Black & Gold are set to kick-off the 2021 MLS regular season at Historic Crew Stadium on Sunday, April 18, against the Philadelphia Union.
Supporters interested in learning more about purchasing 2021 Season Ticket Memberships should visit CrewStadium.com, where they can see the view from each seat location along with the benefits of each section. Fans can also schedule their own private virtual tour of the New Crew Stadium with a Crew SC ticket representative.
