On season-long loan to Austin FC in exchange for $50,000 in General Allocation Money; Crew to receive an additional $50,000 in Allocation Money should Berhalter meet certain performance conditions in 2021

March 3, 2021

COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew SC today announced that it has acquired $50,000 in 2021 General Allocation Money (GAM) from Austin FC. In exchange, Crew SC sent midfielder Sebastian Berhalter on loan to Austin for the 2021 Major League Soccer season. Should Berhalter meet certain performance conditions in 2021, the Crew will receive $50,000 in Allocation Money. Following the conclusion of the 2021 season, Austin FC also retains the option to trade for the players’ rights on a permanent basis.

“As a young player, it is important for Sebastian to get regular minutes to aid his development,” said Crew SC President & General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “With Sebastian entering his second year at the professional level, it is vital that we continue to create a path that allows him to obtain more experience. This opportunity gives him a chance to gain valuable MLS time, in a different market, which will help in his growth as a player.”

A Crew SC Academy product, Berhalter was signed by Crew SC as a Homegrown Player ahead of the 2020 season. To date, he has made nine regular-season appearances (four starts) for the Club. Prior to joining Crew SC, Berhalter made 16 appearances for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a freshman in 2019.

The Black & Gold are currently in Chula Vista, California for the 2021 preseason before traveling to Orlando, Florida on March 21. Following the training camp in Orlando, the Crew opens the 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League on the road on April 8 against Nicaraguan side Real Esteli FC in the First Leg of the Round of 16, before hosting Real Esteli at home for the Second Leg on April 15. The Black & Gold are set to kick-off the 2021 MLS regular season in April with the League’s campaign beginning April 17. A complete MLS schedule is set to be announced by MLS in the near future as the Club prepares to move into New Crew Stadium this July.

Supporters interested in learning more about purchasing 2021 Season Ticket Memberships should visit CrewStadium.com, where they can see the view from each seat location along with the benefits of each section. Fans can also schedule their own private virtual tour of the New Crew Stadium with a Crew SC ticket representative.

TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew SC acquires $50,000 in 2021 General Allocation Money (GAM) from Austin FC. In exchange, Crew SC sent midfielder Sebastian Berhalter on loan to Austin for the 2021 MLS season. Should Berhalter meet certain performance conditions in 2021, the Crew will receive $50,000 in Allocation Money. Following the conclusion of the 2021 season, Austin FC also retains the option to trade for the players’ rights on a permanent basis. The announcement was made on March 3, 2021.


ABOUT COLUMBUS CREW SC
Columbus Crew SC (Soccer Club) is the first club in Major League Soccer. Crew SC is operated by The Edwards Family and Haslam Sports Group. The Black & Gold are the 2020 MLS Cup Champions. The Club won its first MLS Cup championship in 2008 and also won the 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as well as MLS Supporters’ Shield titles in 2004, 2008 and 2009. The 2020 campaign was the Crew’s 25^th season in MLS and the 21st season at historic Crew Stadium — the first soccer-specific stadium in the United States. 

Website: ColumbusCrewSC.com | Twitter: @ColumbusCrewSC | Instagram: @ColumbusCrewSC | Hashtag: #Crew96 | Facebook.com/columbuscrewsc | Snapchat: ColumbusCrewSC | App: ColumbusCrewSC.com/app | Stadium: Crew Stadium | Training Facility: Crew SC Training Center at Obetz | Future Training Facility (2021): OhioHealth Performance Center | New, downtown stadium coming July 2021

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