By Mariana Smithfield
16-year-old Academy Product inks MLS NEXT Pro contract
August 2, 2024
COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew 2 have signed Crew Academy forward Chase Adams to an MLS NEXT Pro contract for the remainder of the 2024 season.
“I couldn’t be more excited to keep working with Chase as he continues to develop in Columbus,” said Director of Player Development Dan Lock. “On and off the pitch, Chase is committed to improving himself and the team, resulting in an MLS NEXT Pro contract. Since joining the Academy, Chase has developed as a leader and has contributed significantly to the team’s performances this season as a young player. We were grateful to see his hard work rewarded by MLS NEXT earlier this season with an All-Star selection, and we’re excited to see Chase’s future development within our organization.”
“Chase has been a huge contributor for Crew 2 this season,” said Crew 2 Head Coach Kelvin Jones. “Watching him find success at the next level has been amazing. We’re so proud of Chase as we watch him grow into his role with Crew 2 and are excited to see how he does in the remainder of the 2024 season.”
Adams, who joined the Crew Academy in January 2023 at the Under-15 level, signed with Crew 2 at the beginning of the 2024 season on an amateur agreement. The 16-year-old forward was recognized as an MLS NEXT All-Star earlier this month alongside teammate Tristan Brown. He captained the East to a 4-2 win at Historic Crew Stadium on July 23. Through 12 games with Crew 2, Adams leads the squad with seven goals in just 767 minutes. Adams began the year by joining the First Team on the preseason trip to Santa Barbara.
In May, Adams was selected to participate in the U-16 United States Youth National Team Training Camp located in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Adams competed in the 2023 U-15 Concacaf Championships, scoring a brace in the 4-2 victory over Mexico in the final to secure the tournament win.
The Naperville, Ill., native joins Anthony Alaouieh, Brent Adu-Gyamfi, Giorgio De Libera, Stanislav Lapkes and Christopher Rogers as the six Crew Academy players on the current roster who signed contracts with Crew 2.
Crew 2 returns to action in a road contest against New York City FC II at Belson Stadium on Friday, Aug. 2 [8:15 p.m. ET / MLSNEXTPro.com].
TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew 2 signs forward Chase Adams to an MLS NEXT Pro contract on August 2, 2024.
Name: Chase Adams
Position: Forward
Date of Birth: April 17, 2008
Hometown: Naperville, IL
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.
Website: ColumbusCrew.com/Crew2 | Twitter: @ColumbusCrew2 | Instagram: @ColumbusCrew2 | Stadium: Historic Crew Stadium | Training Facility: OhioHealth Performance Center
COURTESY CREW COMMUNICATIONS
