Development
How to join Columbus Crew Academy: tryouts 2021, cost, location
How to join Columbus Crew Academy: tryouts 2021, cost, location
Columbus Crew SC Youth Academy is the development wing of MLS outfit Columbus Crew SC.
The team provides an opportunity for players across the country to be part of the interesting system at Columbus Crew.

The club offers state of the art facilities suitable for players to learn new ideas and concepts about the beautiful game of soccer.
How to join Columbus Crew SC Academy – Tryouts 2021
The Crew Academy is here to develop professional players with character for the Columbus Crew First Team.
To be part of the Columbus Crew Academy, you need to submit your application or information showing your interest to be of the Academy and you’ll be considered for tryouts session.
Upon receiving your application or registration request for Columbus Crew Academy, a Technical Staff will review your submission and you will get feedback regarding your chances.
As a result of the high volume of submissions, you could get delayed feedback. The club holds no open tryouts and eligible players will likely only be contacted and invited for a trial with the club.
Also, Players identified through the club’s scouting network are invited to trials in Columbus. Columbus Crew also hosts invitation-only Recruitment Events to identify the best players.
There are two means you can apply for the tryouts
- Tryouts request with information
- Tryouts request with information (compulsory video upload) – Recommended.
1. Head over to the Tryouts registration page
Tryouts registration (no video inclusion).
Tryouts registration (video inclusion).
2. Fill in your details
3. Upload a video of yourself in soccer training, showing skills and techniques
4. Submit, Academy staff to review
5. Wait until you are contacted and invited for tryouts.
Or, you can also send your request or application to the Academy head-on crewsocracademy@gmail.com.
Tip: You should consider registering with the option for video upload.
This is because your video footage would be accessed and analyzed by Academy staff, thereby boosting your chances of getting invited.
The secret behind quick invitation is the level of satisfaction they get after accessing your video footage.
Another tip is to show the best moves and your ability to control the ball, make runs with it.
The better your video footage, the better your chances of getting invited by the Academy staff for the next available trials.
Columbus Crew Academy cost
The Columbus Crew Academy is a fully funded, free-to-play professional academy.
This means there’s no need to pay at the Academy as tryouts and participation are free.
Columbus Crew Academy Teams, League/ competition
The Academy fields teams in the U-14, U-15, U-16/17, and U-18/19 age groups that participate in MLS NEXT League (Know more about the MLS Next League).
Academy location, training centre
Columbus SC Academy is located and trains at the Crew Training Center in Obetz.
Other ways to be part of the team
Columbus Crew SC Pre-Academy
The Pre Academy serves as a preparatory for the main Academy. Players identified and selected at the end of the program will be considered for the main Academy.
Pre-Academy is free-to-play developmental programming for the U9/10 and U11/12 age groups.
Participants would remain with their home clubs and participate in the supplemental training team with Crew Academy at least once per week.
The program aims to extend the development pathway and allow the club to work with other local clubs to develop players.
The Pre-Academy teams will feed into the full-time Academy teams that begin at U14.
The Columbus Crew Pre Academy Age Groups, schedule and organization
Teams / age groups: U-9/10, U-11/12.
At least one or two weekly training sessions will be held.
How to apply for the Columbus Crew Pre Academy
1. Head over to the registration page.
2. Fill in the necessary details
3. Click on submit
4. Upon receiving your application, you are expected to receive feedback from representatives regarded your next move.
About Columbus Crew Academy
Columbus Crew Soccer Academy is one of the top-performing MLS based Soccer development teams in the United States.
The Academy was created to help in the development of young players up to the professional level as well as Create a close connection and integrated pathway.
In a bid to further increase the level of soccer within the Ohio region, the MLS based side had to introduce the best soccer facilities to attract young players to the game within the region.
Over the years, the club has worked out measures that would help them secure a better future.
This has been behind the complete revamp of its Academy which includes facilities, philosophy, etc.
As a fully-funded program that means free participation, the Columbus Crew SC handlers aims to develop players who will see the club as a top priority.
Also, players are ready to play with their hearts for the club as well as continue with the winning culture throughout the club’s campaign in National and international soccer competitions.
The Culture which drives the Columbus Crew Academy
- Passion and intrinsic motivation for the game
- Accountability for their personal development
- Growth mindset to overcome moments of adversity
- Tireless work ethic and willingness to compete
- Team before self mentality
The club runs a system that binds the Academy with the professional team in the MLS together.
The club has also continued to work on the improvement of individual players by teaching them new concepts and ideas.
And as such, a different approach is is followed for every single age grade.
Why Columbus Crew Academy standouts as one of the best
First Team Integration
This method is often neglected by some clubs who instead choose to operate the Academy separately. At Columbus Crew, the reverse seems to be the case.
There’s a close connection between the Academy and First Team which is very important as it relates to creating a uniform system.
It also helps to create a more consistent culture, training methodology and style of play which continues to circulate in the club.
Also at Columbus Crew Academy, every participant is treated well.
Players from junior categories are allowed to be closer to the first team, but with a different model of operation.
Individual Development
The overall performance of every team lies not only on teamwork but with the brilliance of an individual who makes those decisions in decisive moments.
At Columbus Crew Academy, every player is treated and respected following the club’s philosophy as well as with international best practices.
Individual players are treated with utmost priority.
The club boast of having five (5) meetings with each player per year, with the parents included in three (3), to ensure there is clarity on how that player can improve his strengths and opportunities for growth.
High Potential Players
The creation of a special development program helps players to maximize their time by utilizing more hours of training outside their normal schedule.
The Supplemental Training programme offers high potential players two (2) additional training sessions per week.
This was made possible by working in conjunction with the respective teams these players originally play for.
More benefits of the Supplemental Training Program includes
- Individualized training plan
- Position-specific training
- Physical performance plan
- Psychological wellbeing
- Leadership development
- Nutritional well-being.
Also Read: USL Championship players salary explained
Areas of learning
As a member of the Columbus Crew Academy, you will be taught in every aspect of Soccer development.
Under the guidance of some of the best coaches in the United States, you’ll be taught the most basic techniques, ways to adapt to the game as well as making decisive actions on and off the pitch.
Goalkeeper Training
Players interested in goalkeeping positions will be taught using Internacional best practices.
Goalkeeper drills, moves and every other technique will be taught.
Ball Mastery
Learn the basic ball Mastery skills and techniques from some of the best coaches around the United States.
Ball Mastery is the most important aspect of Soccer. Without a good foundation in this area, it becomes difficult to thrive or enjoy your career..
Physicality
Another aspect of Soccer is physicality. Without physicality, in your Soccer skills, your chances of making the best of r ability could be pegged back.
Coaches will help you master the physical areas of Soccer by teaching you the most advanced techniques.
Ways to succeed in trials
1. Begin training early
Early to bed, early to wake as the popular saying goes.
That been said, you should consider preparing for trials early enough by going through series of training on your own.
As an individual, if you find it difficult to manage your work hours, you can still achieve hours of your training by creating a mini-training schedule for yourself.
Training keeps your body up to shape for the challenges ahead.
As an athlete, training should form a big part of your everyday habit because it is the secret weapon to your success in any venture.
2. Go for a soft target
In the current era, you should always go for a soft target. What I mean, you should consider playing a role you can confidently handle.
This can be achieved when you access yourself and identify your ability.
On the field of play, if your capacity carries you in the attack role, then you should stick to it and work out ways to perfect it.
If you find it difficult to decide on whether you should take up this role or not, you can still approach a coach for more advice.
4. Learn the basic rules, skills and techniques in soccer
Knowing Soccer rules will go a long way in your career development.
Soccer rules are a set of instructions that guide you to become a better player on and off the pitch.
One of the most important areas scouts are always watchful of is your ability to control the ball.
Ball control is another area you must work your way through without which your chances in tryouts would have no headway.
To avoid issues, take your time to learn the basic skills in soccer including heading, shooting, running, positioning, etc.
Final Thoughts
Columbus Crew SC Academy is one of the renowned names when it comes to youth soccer development in the United States.
For young players in the Columbus area, it has been a huge success since the club began training young players across various age grades.
If you live within the Columbus region, you should consider submitting your request for a place in the upcoming tryouts.
Even though Columbus Crew Academy runs invitation-only tryouts, there are still affiliate clubs around the Columbus area that work in partnership with the club.
The best thing about the Academy is the fully funded system which is expected to help you as the financial burden from your end will be reduced.
The club also runs supplemental programs open to players irrespective of their affiliation with other teams in the country.
You are also not deprived of your NCCA license by participating in the Columbus Crew Academy Programs.
Another way to become a part of the team is through the Pre Academy.
Conclusion
The article highlights how to join Columbus Crew SC Academy, tryouts, Pre Academy, location, cost, contacts, etc.
Also Read about The most approach you should take in your quest to become a professional soccer player in the United States.