By Mariana Smithfield
17-year-old Academy product inks first MLS NEXT Pro professional contract
July 10, 2024
COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew 2 have signed Crew Academy forward Anthony Alaouieh to an MLS NEXT Pro professional contract for the remainder of the 2024 season.
“Anthony is a dynamic forward with significant potential, and we look forward to his continued development in MLS NEXT Pro after earning his first professional contract,” said Columbus Crew 2 Head Coach Kelvin Jones. ”Anthony has been dedicated to improvement throughout his time with the Academy, and we expect that to continue as he takes this next step in the player pathway within the Crew 2 environment, which emphasizes our Club’s commitment to player development. As part of his development pathway, we would also like to thank the staff at the Michigan Wolves for their partnership and for supporting Anthony prior to his arrival in our academy.”
Alaouieh, who has recorded 11 appearances (two starts), 314 minutes played and one assist, joined Crew 2 at the beginning of the 2024 season on an amateur agreement. The forward made his debut in the team’s 3-2 win against Atlanta United 2 on Sept. 24, 2023.
The Dearborn Heights, Mich., native joined the Crew Academy in 2022. He was a member of the Crew Academy U-17 squad that finished the 2023 Generation adidas Cup as semifinalists. In December 2023, he helped lead the team to a UPSL National Final Four appearance. Prior to joining the Crew Academy, Alaouieh developed with the Michigan Wolves, a Crew Network club.
Alaouieh joins Brent Adu-Gyamfi, Giorgio De Libera, Stanislav Lapkes and Christopher Rogers as the five Crew Academy players on the current roster who signed professional contracts with Crew 2.
The Black & Gold return to action in a road contest against Atlanta United 2 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium on Sunday, July 14 [7:30 p.m. ET / MLSNEXTPro.com].
TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew 2 sign forward Anthony Alaouieh to an MLS NEXT Pro professional contract on July 10, 2024.
Name: Anthony Alaouieh
Pronunciation: aloe-way
Position: Forward
Date of Birth: July 24, 2006
Hometown: Dearborn Heights, Mich.
Citizenship: United States
ABOUT COLUMBUS CREW 2
Columbus Crew 2 – Columbus Crew’s Second Team – compete in MLS NEXT Pro and play their home matches at Historic Crew Stadium, the first soccer-specific stadium in the United States. A developmental team promoting community involvement, Crew 2 connects the Black & Gold player pathway, which begins with Crew Academy and ends with the Crew’s First Team. Crew 2 finished the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season with the best regular season record and captured the first-ever MLS NEXT Pro Cup on Oct. 8, 2022. In 2023, Crew 2 again claimed the Eastern Conference championship, earning the right to host the MLS NEXT Pro Cup at Lower.com Field for the second consecutive season.
COURTESY COLUMBUS CREW COMMUNICATIONS
