Columbus Crew Sign Alex Crognale as Homegrown Player
Nothing is more important than developing youth soccer players into excellent professionals and MLS has placed an emphasis on finding great homegrown talent.
Columbus Crew welcomes former Crew SC Academy defender Alex Crognale back to Mapfre Stadium ahead of the exciting 2017 MLS Season. Crognale becomes the third Homegrown Player on Crew SC’s active roster and is the 11th Homegrown Player signing in club history. Columbus Crew is certainly demonstrating its focus on supporting developing talent.
Soccer News: Columbus Crew SC announced the signing of Crew SC Academy product and defender Alex Crognale as a Homegrown Player. In 2016, the 6-foot-5 defender was an All-American, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, a First Team All-Big Ten selection and a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist in his senior season at the University of Maryland.
During his collegiate career, the Ohio native made 73 appearances (69 starts) in his four years at Maryland, scoring 11 goals and tallying three assists. The defender and his teammates from the 2013-2016 seasons recorded a +84 goal differential over the four campaigns. The best single-season goal differential with Crognale on the roster came in 2016, his final season, recording a +29 differential, as Maryland scored 53 goals and allowed just 24.
“Alex Crognale has been a member of the Crew SC family for many years and it is an exciting day to welcome him to the First Team,” said Sporting Director and head coach Gregg Berhalter. “Alex is a talented, young defender and we look forward to his development in his first season as a professional. We’re certainly proud of his accomplishments while in college and it is always a positive moment for the club when it can reward one if its own with a professional contract. The success of the Academy continues to be a major focus for us as an organization and so we’re certainly pleased to have another Homegrown Player on the Black & Gold roster.”
As a junior, Crognale was selected to the Second Team All-Big Ten and helped guide Maryland to 10 shutouts in 22 games in the 2015 season. He captained Maryland to a third straight Big Ten tournament title in 2016. He netted six goals in his senior season, while he also led the team to a program-record 15 consecutive wins in a 16-0-2 unbeaten 2016 regular season.
Crognale spent four years in the Crew SC Academy from 2010 to 2013. During his time in the Crew SC Academy U19 team, Crognale won back-to-back Ohio South State Cup titles in 2012 and 2013. He also saw action in reserve games for Crew SC, including a full match performance against D.C. United in 2012.
Photo Credit: Columbus Crew SC
