COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew SC today announced its preseason schedule in advance of the 2019 Major League Soccer season. Crew SC’s preseason schedule includes a training camp in Chula Vista, California before participation in the 2019 Carolina Challenge Cup preseason tournament in Charleston, South Carolina.

Crew SC’s 2019 MLS preseason training begins with a pair of sessions in Central Ohio on Wednesday, January 23 and on Thursday, January 24 following entrance physicals and testing. From there, the club departs to Chula Vista, California on Thursday, January 25 for its training camp. Crew SC is slated to remain in Chula Vista through February 6, before returning to Central Ohio.

Crew SC then travels to Charleston, South Carolina on February 13 to participate in the 2019 Carolina Challenge Cup from Saturday, February 16 through Saturday, February 23. Hosted by the Charleston Battery of the United Soccer League, Crew SC returns as back-to-back champions of the tournament and is set to be joined by two other MLS sides: the Chicago Fire and FC Cincinnati. The four participating teams will play in a round-robin style tournament. All three Crew SC matches are set to begin at 5:00 p.m. ET as the Black & Gold first take on the Fire (February 16), followed by contests against the Battery (February 20) and FC Cincinnati (February 23) in tournament action. Broadcast information will be available at a later date. Ticket information for the 2019 Carolina Challenge Cup is available via CharlestonBattery.com.

The Black & Gold begin the 2019 regular season at home and will face the defending Supporters’ Shield winners, the New York Red Bulls, at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 2 at MAPFRE Stadium. 2019 local broadcast and ticket/promotion information for Crew SC – including its 2019 Opening Match on March 2 – will also be announced at a later date.