Crew SC has signed Homegrown Player and defender Alex Crognale (full bio) from the University of Maryland. He’s hard to miss at 6-foot-5, considers himself a “foodie” and has strong ties to Columbus. Get to know the newest member of the Black & Gold with a few quick facts.
PHOTOS: Crew SC Homegrown Player Alex Crognale
Grown in Gahanna
Crognale will once again be teammates with midfielder Wil Trapp. The two played soccer together for a year at Gahanna Lincoln High School and grew up across the street from each other. Crognale says he and Trapp have remained friends and the Crew SC Vice Captain provided him with guidance and advice throughout his college years.
Black & Gold in his blood
Crognale started in the Columbus youth system, playing in the Crew SC Academy program for four years, from 2010 to 2013. During his time with the Under-19 team, he won the Ohio South State Cup back-to-back in 2012 and 2013. The soccer skills run in the family, though. Alex’s two brothers, Ben (23) and Eli (19) played in the Academy as well. They’re a “competitive family” with a love for soccer in their blood.
Trophy case
Following his Academy days, he had a successful college career at Maryland. The Gahanna native made 73 appearances (69 starts) in his four years, scoring 11 goals and tallying three assists. In 2016, the 6-foot-5 defender was named an All-American, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, a First Team All-Big Ten selection and a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist.
