Columbus Crew SC today announced its full preseason schedule in advance of the 2016 Major League Soccer season, highlighted by camps in Lakewood Ranch, Florida and in Central Ohio ahead of participation in the 2016 Desert Diamond Cup – a preseason tournament in Tucson, Arizona.

Under Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter, the 2016 MLS Preseason begins on Friday, January 22, 2016 for entrance physicals and testing. From there, the club departs to Lakewood Ranch, Florida for the second consecutive season for its first preseason camp. Crew SC is slated to remain in Lakewood Ranch through February 5 before returning to Columbus.

The team will be in Central Ohio at SuperKick in Powell from February 8 – February 12 for the second camp of preseason. Following the time in Ohio, the club travels to Tucson, Arizona to participate in the fifth annual Desert Diamond Cup. Hosted by FC Tucson of the USL Premier Development League (PDL), Crew SC is set to be joined by five other MLS sides as well as two USL teams and the hosts in the tournament.

The Black & Gold are currently scheduled to play Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday, February 17 (8:00 p.m. ET) followed by contests against Real Salt Lake on Saturday, February 20 (7:00 p.m. ET) and the Swope Park Rangers (USL) on Wednesday, February 24 (8:00 p.m. ET). An additional matchday on Saturday, February 27 awaits Crew SC depending on results. Additional information for the tournament can be found at http://bit.ly/DDCTickets.

COLUMBUS CREW SC PRESEASON AND MLS OPENING MATCH SCHEDULE

Jan. 22 MLS Preseason begins. Team in Columbus for entrance physicals and testing Jan. 23 - Feb. 5 Camp in Lakewood Ranch, Florida Feb. 8 - Feb. 12 Camp in Powell, Ohio (SuperKick) Feb. 15 - Feb. 27 Desert Diamond Cup (Tucson, Arizona) Feb. 17 Crew SC vs. Sporting Kansas City (DDC) Feb. 20 Crew SC vs. Real Salt Lake (DDC) Feb. 24 Crew SC vs. Swope Park Rangers (DDC) Feb. 27 TBA (final matches of Diamond Desert Cup) March 6 2016 regular-season opener at Portland March 12 2016 Opening Match at MAPFRE Stadium vs. Philadelphia

Note: All dates and times are subject to change. Preseason friendlies may be added at any time.