Our Mission
The Crew Juniors were formed to create the premier youth player development program in Major League Soccer. We strive to assemble the finest coaching staff and to be committed to their long-term development through continuing education. We commit to establishing an outstanding learning environment for young people, on and off of the field. We pledge to run The Crew Juniors organization with a sense of community, and a commitment to give back to the game and assist with its growth at all levels.
Program highlights:
- Over 70 players have continued on to playing soccer at top colleges throughout the country, including UCLA, Wake Forest, Harvard, New Mexico, Indiana, Ohio State, and Akron
- 17 players called into U.S. Youth National Team camps & competitions
- CSA rosters have featured 14 High School All Americans, 17 All Midwest Region, and 37 All Ohioans.
- 2010 U19 McGuire Cup National Champions
- 2010 & 2011 USL Super-20 National Champions
- Soccer America’s 15th ranked club in the country in 2011 – the only Ohio club ranked
- 4 former CSA players (Aaron Horton, Matt Lampson, Ben Speas and Travis Wall) are now professionals; 3 are on the Crew roster
Crew Soccer Academy
Ages: U15/16 & U17/18
Gender: Boys
Program Description:
Crew Soccer Academy is the program that provides the greatest opportunity and exposure for players to reach their highest level, is one of the few programs in the country that is fully funded, and has had the most success over a 4 year period of any youth program ever in Ohio. No costs for player fees, travel, accommodations, meals and Crew replica gear are incurred by families. Players train and play at the Obetz Training Facility and Crew Stadium.
Crew Soccer Academy is a charter member of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. A U.S. National Team program, it is the top level of competition in the country. Crew Soccer Academy is the only member of the Development Academy in Central Ohio, and is the top boy’s level in Ohio. The 2012-13 U15/16 team will be primarily comprised of players born in 1996/97, along with special younger players. The U17/18 team will be primarily comprised of players born in 1994/95.
Program Benefits:
- Fully funded U15/16 and U17/18 teams
- Unparalleled access and exposure to U.S. Youth National Team, professional and collegiate coaches
- 8 CSA players have appeared in MLS Reserve League matches in the past year and a half
- More frequent & better training environment combined with fewer, more meaningful matches ensure the best opportunities for players to reach their highest potential
- Participation in the exclusive MLS Youth Generation adidas Cup in Seattle, WA, an annual U15 & U17 tournament
US Soccer Development Academy - www.ussoccer.com/Teams/Development-Academy/Academy.aspx
Crew Pre-Academy
Ages: U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17/18
Gender: Boys
Program Description:
This elite player development program is designed to prepare players to compete for the U15/16 & U17/18 Crew Soccer Academy teams by replicating the training, competition and travel formula that has made the U.S Soccer Development Academy so successful. The Pre-Academy player pools will compete in several unique MLS only youth events, Midwest Regional League (MRL), and the National Premier League (NPL). The Crew Youth is the ONLY program in Ohio that can provide this level of programming and environment that will replicate the highest academy standards required by U.S. Soccer.
Male players born in ’97, ’98, ’99 and 2000 will make up the Pre-Academy player pool for competition in the U13, U14 & U15 age groups. Approximately 45-55 players will make up this pool. Players born in ’94, ’95, ’96 and ’97 will form the U16 and U18 age groups.
Participation in the exclusive MLS Youth Generation adidas Cup in Seattle, WA, an annual U15 & U17 tournament
www.nationalpremierleagues.com
Crew Juniors Gold
Ages: U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, U18/19
Gender: Boys & Girls
Program Description:
Forming the third level of the Crew Youth Pyramid of Soccer America’s 15th ranked boys club in the country, Crew Juniors Gold is the top-tier of the Crew Juniors program. Gold teams are formed for girls and boys U11-U19 and connect the top players and coaches, first connecting them across two levels (East & West) and then on a full Central Ohio-wide basis.
Program Locations:
EAST Gold up to U13: The Gold team is formed of the highest level players on the East side of Columbus, selecting players from Phoenix and New Albany programs.
WEST Gold up to U13: The Gold team is formed of the highest level players on the West side of Columbus, selecting players from the Worthington and surrounding communities.
City Wide U14 & up: The Gold team is formed of the highest level players city wide (Columbus). When the quality of the pool within a certain age group is extremely high, we will attempt to create two gold level teams.
Crew Juniors
Ages: U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, U18/19
Gender: Boys & Girls
Program Description:
Crew Juniors offers the finest quality, best value, and most comprehensive soccer experience to players of all ages and levels throughout Central Ohio. This level includes multiple boys and girls teams from ages 6 to 19 competing at the regional and local levels. Players benefit from being part of one of the most innovative and complete player development systems in the nation while training and playing within their local communities.
Program Locations:
New Albany, Phoenix (Bexley/Pickerington/Westerville), Worthington
Teams formed out of:
Bexley, Hilliard, New Albany, Pickerington, Polaris, Powell, Upper Arlington, Westerville, Worthington
Crew Juniors Youth Academy
Ages: U7, U8, U9, U10
Gender: Boys & Girls
Program Description:
The focus of this level of our program is to create an atmosphere and an environment in practice and competition where players are challenged to be creative and solve problems. The main focus is on individual player development rather than team development or tactical priorities at these young ages. The development of technically superior soccer players is at the forefront of our player development curriculum.
All players are provided with an integrated training opportunity with higher leveled tiers within the program. At the very highest tiers of the program, advanced players within each of our affiliates (Phoenix, New Albany, Worthington and surrounding communities) are provided the opportunity to come to together as a group to train and compete within a city-wide program on a consistent weekly basis.
Program Locations:
Bexley, Dublin, Hilliard, New Albany, Pickerington, Polaris, Powell, Upper Arlington, Westerville, Worthington
Crew Juniors Skill Academy League
Ages: 4-8 yrs
Gender: Boys & Girls
Contacts per week: 1x training session and 1x game on the weekends
Program Description:
This program is designed for the beginner level or a current recreational level player. This program is further sub-divided into two levels, which includes a program for the 4-6 year olds and a program for the 6-8 year olds. Higher level 5 year olds are placed into the 6-8 year old program.
The emphasis of the skill academy training program for the 4-6 year olds is on movement education and is to provide a wide variety of physical activities that promote every aspect of a child’s personal development. During the small sided games, the priority is to be as flexible as possible with rules and restrictions to allow the players to enjoy the game in a free environment.
We believe that our 6-8 year olds need training that is wide ranging and multi-faceted, not just soccer specific. Developing motor skills is the key concept at this age range and are best developed between the ages of 7-12 years (also known as the golden age of learning), with the main objective being able to gain a greater level of comfort and develop more skill with the ball at their feet. The focus at this level to prepare children for the next stage of their development is on the basic soccer techniques of dribbling, passing and shooting.
Program Locations:
Bexley, Hilliard, New Albany, Pickerington, Polaris, Powell, Upper Arlington, Westerville, Worthington
Crew Youth Contacts
We welcome your feedback and questions! Please reach out to the appropriate contact below.
Executive VP Crew Juniors - Andrew Arthurs at AArthurs@thecrew.com
Crew Soccer Academy
Crew Pre-Academy
Crew Juniors Gold
Crew Juniors EAST (U11-U18/19)
Crew Juniors New Albany
Crew Juniors Phoenix, Bexley, Pickerington, Westerville
Crew Juniors WEST (U11-U18/19)
Crew Juniors Worthington, Upper Arlington, Dublin, Powell
Crew Juniors Youth Academy (U7-U10)
Crew Juniors Skill Academy League (Ages 4-8yrs)
