COLUMBUS – Two Crew Soccer Academy squads are traveling to Frisco, Texas for the upcoming U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs taking place next week from June 24-28 as the Crew Soccer Academy U-18 squad and the CSA Wolves U-16 team will represent the Crew in their respective divisions in postseason play. Before then, the Crew Juniors U-19s look to advance to nationals in Region II Championships this weekend in Des Moines, Iowa.
Beginning on June 24, the Black & Gold’s U-18s will take on FC Dallas, Albertson SC and Concorde Fire in group play of the USSDA Playoffs. The CSA U-18s finished 15-8-4 this season and qualified for the fourth wildcard spot. In the U-16 division, the CSA Wolves from Michigan have been grouped with Real So Cal, Seattle Sounders FC and Orlando City. The Wolves finished in first place of the USSDA Central Conference this season with a 19-4-4 record.
In preparation for U.S. Youth Soccer Region II Championships, the Crew Juniors U-19 team defeated Detroit City FC 2-1 in Detroit on Tuesday, June 18. Notre Dame’s Connor Klekota netted the first goal early in the first half and Ohio State’s Raymond Olavarria scored the game-winner in the 58th minute.
On Friday, June 21, the U-19s head to the Region II Championships where they will take on the state champions from Iowa, Indiana and Michigan with the potential to play in a regional semifinal and regional final. Twelve teams are competing in Midwest regional competition, with the winner advancing to nationals. The Crew Juniors U-19s have secured have secured the James P. McGuire Cup – awarded to the Under-19 Boys National Championship winner – twice in the past three years.
