COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew SC today announced that it has named Pat Onstad as its Technical Director as well as announced three assistant coach hires on Caleb Porter’s staff for the 2019 Major League Soccer season. Onstad previously served as Assistant Coach for Crew SC from 2014-2018, assuming the role of Interim General Manager in December 2018 before accepting the new role under Crew SC President Tim Bezbatchenko. Joining newly appointed Head Coach Porter on the technical staff are Assistant Coaches Mike Matkovic, Matt Reis and Pablo Moreira. Crew SC Academy Under-19 Head Coach Ben Cross is with the Black & Gold coaching staff during preseason.
Onstad has been with the Crew since 2014, spending his first five seasons as an Assistant Coach before taking on the role of Interim General Manager in December of 2018. Prior to his time with the Black & Gold, he served as the Chief Scout and Manager of Football Partnerships of Toronto FC from 2013-2014. Before that, Onstad was an Assistant Coach at D.C. United from 2011-2013. During his 16-year career as professional soccer player, Onstad played in Scotland, Canada and the United States. Notably, Onstad is the MLS all-time leader in goals-against average among goalkeepers who have played at least 15,000 minutes, posting a career mark of 1.12. A three-time MLS Cup Champion (2003, 2006, 2007) and a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Winner (1999), Onstad was also a two-time recipient of the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award (2003, 2005).
â–şBIO: Pat Onstad
“I want to congratulate Pat Onstad on his new role as Technical Director of Crew SC as he has been a valuable member of this organization and someone who has been extremely successful throughout his career,” said Crew SC President Tim Bezbatchenko. “Pat’s role with the Crew is an important one as we look to continue to build a competitive roster and his experience in this League, his eye for talent and his shared passion for the vision of the new era of Crew SC made him the right person for the role.”
Continued Bezbatchenko: “I also want to welcome Mike, Matt and Pablo to the Club. The quality of the coaches we have brought on reflects a continued commitment and investment from The Edwards and Haslam Families to build a high-caliber organization and we’re thrilled to see the staff come together under Caleb as the team gets its preseason camp started in California. I also want to welcome Ben to the coaching staff for preseason as we continue to reinforce strong integration between the First Team and the Academy.”
Mike Matkovich joins the Black & Gold staff after working as the Director of Operations and Coaching for the Chicago Fire Juniors Soccer Club from 2011-2018. While working with the Chicago Fire Juniors Soccer Club, Matkovich also served as the Head Coach of the Des Moines Menace of the Premier Development League from 2015-2016. At the MLS level, Matkovich has experience as assistant coach with the Chicago Fire (2009-2013), Chivas USA (2008-2009) and Toronto FC (2007-2008). From 2009-2011, Matkovich – who holds a National “A” Coaching License -- served as the Head Coach of the U.S. U-18 Men’s National Team.
â–şBIO: Mike Matkovich
Matt Reis joins Crew SC after spending the last two years as a Goalkeeper Coach for the U.S. Men’s National Team. Prior to that, Reis served in the same role at the LA Galaxy from 2014-2016 that featured a 2014 MLS Cup title. Before becoming a coach, Reis had a storied 16-year career as goalkeeper in MLS, spending five seasons with the Galaxy (1998-2002) and 11 campaigns with the New England Revolution (2003-2013). During his playing career, Reis won the CONCACAF Champions Cup (2000), two Supporters’ Shields (1998, 2002), the North American SuperLiga (2008), MLS Cup (2002) and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup (2001 and 2007). Notably, Reis’ 293 regular-season appearances rank fifth all-time among MLS goalkeepers.
â–şBIO: Matt Reis
Pablo Moreira joins Crew SC after having worked alongside Caleb Porter at the Portland Timbers as well as at the University of Akron. Moreira joined the Timbers’ Technical Staff in 2013 as a Video Analyst before taking on the role of Assistant Coach in 2014 and helping lead Portland to win MLS Cup in 2015. Prior to his time with the Timbers, Moreira was the Director of Soccer Operations for the Akron Zips from 2011-2013. From 2003-2007, Moreira played for the Akron Zips – including two seasons under Caleb Porter – helping the team win back-to-back regular-season conference championships (2006, 2007) and two conference tournament titles (2004, 2007).
â–şBIO: Pablo Moreira
Crew SC Academy Under-19 Head Coach Ben Cross will be joining the Black & Gold coaching staff during preseason. Cross joined the Crew SC Academy in 2016. Prior to that, Cross worked for the Empire United Soccer Academy from 2005-2016.
“We are pleased to welcome Mike, Matt and Pablo to the Columbus Crew SC,” said Crew SC Head Coach Caleb Porter. “In looking to build our coaching staff it was a priority to hire people who would be the right cultural fit and equally as important was having coaches who were hungry to join the Crew. We’ve found that fit in Mike, Matt and Pablo. They are all top coaches who possess strong leadership qualities, exceptional character and a vast knowledge and experience at the MLS, National Team and Youth development levels. I look forward to their contributions as we begin our preseason camp in Chula Vista. I also want to welcome Crew SC Academy U-19 Coach Ben Cross, who will be joining our staff for preseason, as he has proven to be a talented young coach in our system and I believe his presence in camp will be beneficial.”
Crew SC’s preseason camp in Chula Vista, California is underway as the Black & Gold remain on the West Coast until February 6. While in California, the Black & Gold are set to play in three friendly matches. The team is then slated to be in Central Ohio from February 7-12 before traveling to Charleston, South Carolina to participate in the 2019 Carolina Challenge Cup.
The Black & Gold begin the 2019 regular season at home and will face the defending Supporters’ Shield winners, the New York Red Bulls, at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 2 at MAPFRE Stadium. 2019 Season Ticket Memberships and Partial Plans are now on sale with additional information available via ColumbusCrewSC.com.
