Weekly Update: Gaven gets in vs. Cuba
Crew midfielder played in opening game of CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Crew's Eddie Gaven was involved and dangerous after coming on in the 77th minute of the U.S. Under-23 Men's National Team's 1-1 tie with Cuba Tuesday in its 2008 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying opener. Thanks to a 14th-minute goal from Freddy Adu, the U.S. is currently tied for second in Group A. It will take on Panama Thursday (March 13) at 8 p.m. ET at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., live on Fox Soccer Channel and ESPN Deportes
Minutes before halftime, Cuba broke through to tie the game and the U.S. began to press late in the second half, putting together a combination of scoring chances. Gaven came on for Robbie Findley in the 77th minute and immediately made his presence felt. Receiving a flighted ball in the left side of the box, Gaven set up with a touch off his right thigh and blasted a left-footed shot that sailed over the crossbar.
Cuba went down to 10 men late in the game when Roberto Linares, its goalscorer, picked up his second yellow card of the game. The U.S., with renewed energy after gaining the man-advantage, picked up their offensive pressure in the final minutes and earned a free kick in the 90th minute. Adu took the left-footed shot that went just to the right of the near goalpost.
The eight-team CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying tournament, which includes national teams at the Under-23 age level, will send the two finalists to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
FAN FORUM SET FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, AT CREW STADIUM'S HUNTINGTON CLUB
The Crew will host its preseason Fan Forum on Wednesday, March 19, in Crew Stadium's Huntington Club, at 6 p.m. The event is open to the public and its panel will be made up of Crew General Manager Mark McCullers, Technical Director Brian Bliss, Head Coach Sigi Schmid and select Crew players. McCullers will kick off the interactive discussion with a brief outline of the club's current priorities and state of affairs, after which the entire panel will be available for questions.
TICKETS FOR MARCH 22 CREW vs. METAPAN GAME AT CREW STADIUM NOW ON SALE
Tickets are on sale now for the Crew's preseason game against Asociación Deportiva Isidro Metapan of El Salvador's Premier Division on Saturday, March 22, at 4 p.m. at Crew Stadium. Tickets for the Crew's final preseason match before kicking off the 2008 MLS regular season are available in advance of the game for $18 and for $20 on the day of the match. Metapan, as the club is commonly known, is one of El Salvador's most popular and successful clubs. It is the country's reigning champion, having won the 2007 Clausura (Closing) title after finishing third in the 2007 Apertura (Opening) campaign. The municipality of Metapan is located in the metropolitan area of Santa Ana.
CREW NAMED A FINALIST FOR 2008 CORPORATE CARING AWARD
Along with its charitable arm, the Crew Soccer Foundation, the Crew has been named a Finalist for a 2008 Corporate Caring Award. Business First and sponsors Battelle, Grange Insurance, KPMG, Mills/James Productions, and Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease will celebrate corporate philanthropy in Columbus on April 10, presenting awards at the 12th Annual Corporate Caring Awards Luncheon that will be held at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom.
CREW'S HESMER BLOGS ABOUT CREW TRAINING CAMP IN ENGLAND
Crew goalkeeper William Hesmer is currently keeping a blog updating fans about the squad's preseason training camp. Hesmer's latest entry details extensively the squad's recent trip to England. Be sure to head to TheCrew.com to check out Hesmer's anecdotes and insight on the team's activities throughout the preseason.
CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES AS STAGE TAKES SHAPE AT CREW STADIUM
The new permanent stage being constructed in Crew Stadium's north end is taking shape. Work began on Sept. 10 and the project is scheduled to be completed on April 15. The stage measures 60 feet deep by 120 feet wide. Click here to view a fact sheet detailing more features of the stage and Click Here to view a photo gallery chronicling the project's progress so far.
CREW TRAINING SCHEDULE
(Media availability at the conclusion of training)
Thur., 3/13: Training at SuperKick (409 Orangepointe Drive, Lewis Center) at 10 a.m.
Fri., 3/14: Training at Ohio Dominican (1216 Sunbury Road) at 2:30 p.m.
Sat., 3/15: Scrimmages at Ohio Dominican at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Sun., 3/16 OFF
