“So very grateful for the opportunity to be with the team on my birthday. We have students who have played soccer forever, and some just starting out but the team is a family, and our family really enjoyed watching the Columbus Crew win.” Tasha Ryals, Coach, KIPP Columbus Soccer

Before the 2018 season started we wanted to find a collaborative way to invite new soccer fans into our community. This grassroots community outreach was given a name befitting our nature: Community Assist. Since the beginning of the 2018 season our generous supporters sent more than 400 community partners to Crew games and we’re not done yet.

In addition to ticket donations, we coordinated a food drive, a youth soccer gear drive, a school supply drive, and a cold weather gear drive for the upcoming Minnesota United game on Sunday, October 28 from 2-4 PM!

Remember August 15?

Save The Crew & fans raised over $1600 within a few hours to buy soccer equipment for two youth soccer teams: KIPP Columbus & Hilltonia Hawks Middle School. After the donation drive we then welcomed both teams to the stadium to watch our beloved Columbus Crew. This is what your donations made possible for our community. This is the shared joy that is soccer. See for yourself.

Hilltonia Hawks Middle School

Abisai, 8th grade

He’s been playing soccer for 6 years. His favorite positions to play are striker and mid-fielder. His favorite experience at the Crew game was everything. This was his first MLS game, so he was excited.

Angel, 8th grade

He’s been playing soccer for 8 years. His favorite position to play is mid-fielder. His favorite experience at the Crew game was the drum section and how they got the crowd involved.

Emely, 7th grade

She’s been playing soccer for 4 years. Her favorite position to play is defender. Her favorite experience at the Crew game was to see the professional players in action.

Gabriel, 8th grade

He’s been playing soccer for 6 years. His favorite position to play is striker/forward. His favorite experience at the Crew game was to see all of the skills from the players.

Jon, 8th grade

He’s been playing soccer for 9 years. His favorite positions to play are forward and mid mid-fielder. His favorite experience at the Crew game was that it was his first MLS game and it was very exciting.

Marco, 7th grade

He’s been playing soccer for 7 years. His favorite position to play is mid-fielder. His favorite experience at the Crew game was when the referees took the point away from Philadelphia.

Yahya, 7th grade

He’s been playing soccer for 7 years. His favorite position to play is striker/forward. His favorite experience at the Crew game was the crowd cheering and allying behind the Crew.

KIPP Columbus

Keisean, freshman

He has been playing soccer for 10 years. He is a Goalie. “I was at the game with my friends, and I really liked being with the team and playing on the small field at halftime. It was fun!”

Mireille, sophomore

She just started playing soccer this year. She is a mid-fielder. “I think my favorite part was the energy, the chanting all together. I have been to a couple games maybe when I was little, but it was exciting to be in the stadium cheering.”

Decision Day Community Assist

All of you made this possible.

Let’s finish the regular season by welcoming even more youths and adults into the family. We look forward to seeing you all there on Sunday for Decision Day so be sure to welcome our new members.

If you’d like to contribute to Community Assist, it is as simple as doing this by Thursday 5 PM: