COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew today announced that the Club has signed Campbell University defender Jake Morris through the 2023 season with options in 2024 and 2025. The Crew acquired Morris’ MLS Homegrown Priority from Seattle Sounders FC in exchange for $50,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) for 2022, with potential for additional allocation money should Morris meet certain performance-based incentives.
Morris represented Campbell University from 2020-2021, making 28 appearances while registering seven goals and nine assists. Before joining the Camels, Morris played for Tyler Junior College, where he made 45 appearances while tallying 12 goals and eight assists.
“We would like to welcome Jake to the Crew,” said Columbus Crew President & General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “Jake is a young player whose addition to our roster will help increase the depth of our backline. We look forward to incorporating him into our squad and working with him as he continues his professional development.”
Prior to his time in the collegiate ranks, Morris was part of the Sounders Academy from 2016-2018. During his time in Seattle, the defender featured for the Tacoma Defiance, Sounders FC’s second team.Morris (22 years old) joins his brother Aidan Morris (20 years old) on the Black & Gold roster, with the two players becoming the 19th pair of brothers to play together in MLS.Crew players are set to report for entrance physicals and testing on January 16 before departing for a training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from January 18-28. With the seasonal bubble currently encompassing the field at Historic Crew Stadium, the Crew will train in-market from February 1-6 at the OhioHealth Performance Center prior to traveling to Charleston, South Carolina, for the second trip of the preseason from February 7-19.
The Black & Gold are set to open the 2022 MLS season by hosting Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Lower.com Field in Opening Match on Saturday, February 26 at 3:30 p.m. ET. Following the home opener, the Crew hits the road and travels to face the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park on March 5 for the first away match of the season. The Crew’s full schedule for the 2022 MLS regular season can be found at ColumbusCrew.com.
The 2022 season will be the Black & Gold’s first full season at Lower.com Field, located in Astor Park. Fans looking to experience Crew matches have a number of options as Season Ticket Members for 2022, which include benefits such as private, member-only events; a 10 percent discount at the Crew Shop; monthly, interest-free payment plans; the ability to purchase discounted parking; pre-sale access to all events at Lower.com Field, Historic Crew Stadium and FirstEnergy Stadium; and a dedicated account manager and service representative.Fans can also choose between various packages that offer great benefits and ticket discounts, including Nine-Match Ticket Plans, Five-Match Ticket Plans, and Group Ticket Plans which are on sale now. Fans can additionally purchase single-match tickets, which are now available.
Supporters interested in securing their seat for the 2022 season can call 614-447-2739, visit columbuscrew.com/tickets or email seasontickets@columbuscrew.com to get connected with a Ticket Sales Representative.
TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew signs defender Jake Morris as a Homegrown Player through the 2023 season with options in 2024 and 2025, announced on January 14, 2022. The Crew traded $50,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) for 2022 to Seattle Sounders FC in exchange for Morris’ MLS Homegrown Priority.
