Columbus Crew hosts Nashville SC tonight in key MLS Eastern Conference Matchup; Forward Jacen Russell-Rowe talks about playing for Canada and his role on the first team

Posted by ZOLA ELDER

Jacen Russell-Rowe Crew Forward 6 21 2023 Matchday 19 Preview for Nashville SC.mp3

COLUMBUS CREW FORWARD JACEN RUSSELL-ROWE SELECTED TO CANADA’S 23-MAN ROSTER FOR

2023 CONCACAF GOLD CUP

COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew forward Jacen Russell-Rowe has been selected to Canada’s final 23-man roster for the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup.

 

Canada will compete in Group D with Guatemala, Cuba and an opponent to be determined in the Preliminary Round. Russell-Rowe and Canada begin group play on June 27 at BMO Field in Toronto against the opponent to be determined, before taking on Guatemala on July 1 and Cuba on July 4, with both matches taking place at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston. Additional information on the Gold Cup can be found here.

Russell-Rowe signed with Columbus Crew 2 on March 18, 2022, in advance of the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season. He captured the MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot at the conclusion of the regular season after scoring 21 goals, five more than his closest competitor. Russell-Rowe was additionally honored as the MLS NEXT Pro MVP and named to the Best XI as Crew 2 finished the regular season with a league-best record (16-3-5), goals (62), and goal differential (+40). He scored four additional goals in the postseason, including a hat trick in the Eastern Conference Semifinal, and converted a penalty kick in the final as Crew 2 were crowned the first ever MLS NEXT Pro Cup winners on Oct. 8, 2022.

 

Russell-Rowe made his MLS debut on June 18, 2022, while on a short-term loan. Since signing with the First Team on June 29, 2022, Russell-Rowe has appeared in a total of 22 MLS matches for the Black & Gold and scored his first MLS goal earlier this season in the Crew’s 6-1 victory over Atlanta United on March 25.

 

The Brampton, Ontario, native has previously represented Canada at the Under-17 level, including participating in the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil, where he scored two goals in three appearances.

COURTESY COLUMBUS CREW COMMUNICATIONS