Columbus Crew Selects Four Players In MLS SuperDraft 2022

COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew today selected four players in Major League Soccer SuperDraft 2022 presented by adidas. In the First Round, the Black & Gold selected goalkeeper Patrick Schulte (Saint Louis University) with the 12th overall pick. Following a trade in which the Crew acquired Real Salt Lake’s natural first-round pick (25th overall) in exchange for $50,000 in General Allocation Money for 2022, the Black & Gold selected defender Philip Quinton (University of Notre Dame) for the Club’s final selection of the First Round.

In the subsequent rounds, the Crew selected defender Jacob Erlandson (Bowling Green State University) with the 40th overall pick (Second Round) as well as forward Chris Donovan (Drexel University) with the 68th overall pick (Third Round). A member of the 2022 Generation adidas class, Schulte has been formally added to the Crew roster with Quinton, Erlandson and Donovan entering the Club’s pre-season as un-signed draft selections.

The Club’s selections were made virtually from the Lower.com Lounge at the Black & Gold’s modern and dynamic home – Lower.com Field - in Astor Park.

Schulte made 51 appearances for Saint Louis University from 2019-2021, recording 22 shutouts while posting a goals against average of 0.84. With the Billikens, the goalkeeper was named the 2021 Most Outstanding Player of the Atlantic-10 Championship and the 2020 A-10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Schulte also earned the following end-of-year honors: A-10 First Team All-Conference (2021, 2020), United Soccer Coaches Second-Team All-Region (2021) and the A-10 Conference All-Rookie Team (2019).

Quinton represented the University of Notre Dame from 2018-2021, making 58 appearances while registering two goals and two assists. In addition to serving as the captain during his senior year, the defender was also named to the following end-of-season Best XI teams during his tenure at Notre Dame: 2021 Atlantic Coast Conference All-Tournament Team (2021), All-ACC Third Team (2021) and TopDrawerSoccer’s Postseason Best XI First Team.

Erlandson most recently played for Bowling Green State University from 2020-2021, making 32 appearances, scoring nine goals and providing six assists. During his time at Bowling Green, the defender was named to the All-Mid-American Conference First Team (2021) while also being named Bowling Green’s 2021 Newcomer of the Year.

Donovan made 60 appearances for Drexel University from 2018-2021, registering 30 goals and 13 assists. While at Drexel, Donovan earned the following individual honors: Philadelphia Soccer Six Chris Jones Player of the Year (2021), Philadelphia Inquirer Men's Soccer Performer of the Year (2021) and the Colonial Athletic Association’s Soccer Player of the Year (2021). The forward was also named to the following end-of-year Best XI teams: United Soccer Coaches Atlantic Region First Team (2021, 2020), All-CAA First Team (2021, 2020, 2019), CAA All-Tournament Team (2020) and the CAA All-Rookie Team (2018).

Crew players are set to report for entrance physicals and testing on January 16 before departing for a training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from January 18-28. With the seasonal bubble currently encompassing the field at Historic Crew Stadium, the Crew will train in-market from February 1-6 at the OhioHealth Performance Center prior to traveling to Charleston, South Carolina, for the second trip of the preseason from February 7-19.

The Black & Gold are set to open the 2022 MLS season by hosting Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Lower.com Field in Opening Match on Saturday, February 26 at 3:30 p.m. ET. Following the home opener, the Crew hits the road and travels to face the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park on March 5 for the first away match of the season. The Crew’s full schedule for the 2022 MLS regular season can be found at ColumbusCrew.com.

The 2022 season will be the Black & Gold’s 27th in MLS and the first full season at Lower.com Field, located in Astor Park. Fans looking to experience Crew matches have several options to save money, while getting the best seats for marquee matches. Season Ticket Memberships include benefits such as private, member-only events; a 10 percent 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 can also choose between other packages that offer great benefits and ticket discounts, including Nine-Match Ticket Plans, Five-Match Ticket Plans, and Group Ticket Plans which are on sale now. Single-match tickets will be available for purchase beginning Friday, January 14 at 10:00 a.m. ET.

Supporters interested in securing Season Ticket Memberships or placing deposits for the 2022 MLS season can call 614-447-2739, visit columbuscrew.com/tickets or email seasontickets@columbuscrew.com to get connected with a Ticket Sales Representative.

Name: Patrick Schulte
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6’5”
Hometown: Saint Charles, Missouri
Drafted: Selected in the First Round (12th overall) of the MLS SuperDraft 2022 on January 11, 2022
Previous Experience: Saint Louis University (2019-2021)

Name: Philip Quinton
Position: Defender
Height: 6’6”
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Drafted: Selected in the First Round (25th overall) of the MLS SuperDraft 2022 on January 11, 2022
Previous Experience: University of Notre Dame (2018-2021)

Name: Jacob Erlandson
Position: Defender
Height: 6’1”
Hometown: Dayton, Ohio
Drafted: Selected in the Second Round (40th overall) of the MLS SuperDraft 2022 on January 11, 2022
Previous Experience: Bowling Green State University (2020-2021), Huntington University (2017-2019)

Name: Chris Donovan
Position: Forward
Height: 6’1”
Hometown: Paoli, Pennsylvania
Drafted: Selected in the Third Round (68th overall) of the MLS SuperDraft 2022 on January 11, 2022
Previous Experience: Drexel University (2018-2021)