The Columbus Crew SC Academy faced-off against a collection of top PA West boys players as Arsenal and Hotspurs assemble their best-combined teams for a day of friendlies. This is part of our ongoing collaboration with the Hotspurs.

We are extremely excited to showcase the best our player pools have to offer against one of the top academies in the country in Columbus Crew SC. Not only are our oldest players being pushed against elite competition, but we are proud to introduce our U14 and U15 ages to this next level as well.

For those unable to attend, the matches can be viewed below.

If any coach has an interest in a player or a request of us, please contact the coaches below.

We hope this is the first of many events like this.

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Event Recap:
Thank you to the Columbus Crew SC Academy for making the trip to Pittsburgh. This was a great exposure to the next level for our players and it was the first time that many of our players took the field alongside those from Arsenal FC in competitive play as part of our ongoing club collaboration. Overall, the groups competed and showed well against the Crew.

“It was a fantastic experience for everyone involved, players and staff alike. From the competition of selections, the scouting reports/presentations to seeing the abilities of top-level academy players in all moments of the game. It was a test from the beginning that the Hotspurs/Arsenal boys rose to throughout the day. ” –  Tom Campbell, Youth Development Phase Leader | NPSL First Team Head Coach, Pittsburgh Hotspurs

  • The U14 boys (2007) recorded a 3-2 win against a very technical and intelligent Crew side. Striker Nick S. grabbed the headlines with a hattrick full of high-quality finishes. Our attacking players caused lots of problems with their dangerous movement and 1v1 prowess. The midfielders remained organized while the defense barely put a foot wrong.

  • The U15 boys (2006) did not fare as well. A poor start and some clear nerves saw them fall victim to a top side by a 3-0 margin. While there were some bright moments, overall the group was outmatched by a well-drilled Crew team. This was a great learning moment for the boys, who saw the importance of being able to impact the ball more during the press.

  • The U17 boys (2004) started brightly, looking organized without the ball and dynamic on the break, but ultimately could not capitalize on the host of clear-cut chances they created in the first half. The game remained competitive but gradually got away from them and eventually resulted in a 3-0 loss.

  • The U19 match (2002/03) proved to be the game of the day with a 3-2 win for the Arsenal/Hotspurs boys. A compact, engaged, and effective press laid the foundation for a dangerous front three to exploit spaces in behind and convert those chances to goals with a few quality finishes.

“Overall, we showed that our top players can play at another level. Credit to the Crew Academy, who were generally technically secure and dominated possession. We learned some valuable lessons on how to play without the ball and still impact the game. Undoubtedly our players will benefit from this opportunity and be a great springboard for a successful spring season.”  – Jon Velotta, Executive Director, Arsenal FC
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Club Contacts:
Pittsburgh Hotspurs, Tom Ovenden – coachtommo@hotspurs-soccer.com
Arsenal FC of Pittsburgh, Jon Velotta – jvelotta@arsenalfc-pgh.com
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Posted in Events