By Mariana Smithfield
18-year-old Academy product signs MLS NEXT Pro contract
August 8, 2024
COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew 2 have signed Crew Academy midfielder Owen Presthus to an MLS NEXT Pro contract for the remainder of the 2024 season.
“We are excited to keep Owen with the Club and continue to play a role in his progression,” said Director of Player Development Dan Lock. “Owen is a versatile player who is ready to take the next step. His connection play and awareness on the pitch have been a crucial part of Crew 2’s success this season. Owen knows this Club and he knows the style of play, having been a part of the Columbus Crew system since he was six years old. It is a great example of the pathway we are creating, and we’re delighted to have Owen sign his first MLS NEXT Pro contract.”
“Owen has been a consistent contributor for Crew 2 this season,” said Crew 2 Head Coach Kelvin Jones. “Throughout his time with the Academy, he has been dedicated and brought a great attitude. It’s amazing to see his hard work pay off. Owen is a dynamic defender with a knack for creating goal scoring opportunities, and we are excited to see the strides he will continue to make with Crew 2 this season.”
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to continue developing in my hometown city, with my hometown Club,” said Presthus. “It’s a special feeling to be able to continue representing the Black and Gold and building upon the legacy of this historic Club. Playing with Crew 2 this season has been a great experience, and I look forward to continuing to develop. I will always cherish this moment of signing my first contract with the Club that means so much to myself and my family.”
Presthus boasts a team-high seven assists this season, tied for second among all MLS NEXT Pro players. He has played 1,542 minutes for Crew 2 this season in 20 appearances (17 starts), scoring his first goal on May 24 against Chicago Fire FC II. The Columbus native competed with Crew 2 on an amateur agreement and played in six matches in 2023. Presthus joined the Crew Academy in 2017, after developing in his early years with local soccer club, Sporting Columbus, a Crew Network Club.
Presthus recently saw action with the Crew First Team in the Leagues Cup Showcase match against English Premier League side Aston Villa on July 27.
In last year’s Generation adidas Cup, Presthus scored a game-winner against Manchester United to advance the Crew to the Round of 16, with his olimpico being voted Goal of the Tournament. The Crew Academy Under-17 squad went on to become Semifinalists.
At the international level, Presthus was invited to United States Youth National Team Training ID Camps in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Presthus continues his family’s legacy in Columbus, following the footsteps of his father Tom, who played with the Crew from 2001-2003. Tom Presthus made 47 regular season appearances for the Black and Gold, helping the Club win the 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the first trophy in Club history. He recorded 136 saves in 2001, the third-best mark in the league. Across seven MLS seasons between the Crew and D.C. United, Presthus appeared in 106 regular season matches (104 starts), recording 446 saves, 14 clean sheets and 1.62 goals against average.
The eldest Presthus son, TJ, developed with the Crew Academy before going on to Yale University where he was named 2023 Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year. In 2017, TJ captained the Crew’s U-15 team, finishing atop the Mid-America U.S. Soccer Development Academy. In 2019, TJ played every minute at the U-17 Generation adidas Cup, leading the Crew to the semifinals. Owen’s younger brother, Rhys, is currently a member of the Crew’s U-16 Academy team.
The 18-year-old midfielder joins Chase Adams, Anthony Alaouieh, Brent Adu-Gyamfi, Giorgio De Libera, Stanislav Lapkes and Christopher Rogers as the seven Crew Academy players on the current roster who signed professional contracts with Crew 2.
Crew 2 returns to action against New England Revolution II on Sunday, August 18 at Historic Crew Stadium [6:00 p.m. ET / Apple TV – MLS Season Pass].
TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew 2 sign midfielder Owen Presthus to an MLS NEXT Pro contract on Aug. 8, 2024.
Name: Owen Presthus
Pronunciation: PRESS-tis
Position: Midfielder
Date of Birth: February 21, 2006
Hometown: New Albany, OH
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
