Ben Speas

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2013 Season: Has made seven appearances -- including six starts: two at left midfield and four at right midfield ... has scored one goal and recorded one assist ... made his second career start and recorded his first career assist on Jairo Arrieta’s goal at Vancouver (March 9) ... made a second consecutive start at left midfield against San Jose (March 16) ... scored his first career goal -- the game-winner -- at D.C. (March 23) ... made four consecutive starts at right midfield from March 23 through April 20 since Eddie Gaven returned to the lineup at left wing ... made his first substitute appearance of the year in the match against New York (May 4).

2013 Reserve League: Has made one start at left midfield ... has scored one goal ... scored a goal in his start against New York (May 4).

COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

Speas spent two years at Akron before transferring to the University of North Carolina. In total, he appeared in 76 matches with 40 starts during his three-year college career to score 11 goals and 16 assists. The Crew Soccer Academy product won back-to-back NCAA College Cups  with Akron in 2010 and with UNC in 2011. He scored the gamewinner in the College Cup Final in 2011 and was named NCAA Men's College Cup MVP in 2011.

YOUTH EXPERIENCE

Speas was the eighth-ranked senior in the nation at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy as a senior, according to ESPN Rise.com. Also a U.S. national youth team veteran, Speas competed on the U-20, U-18 and U-17 National Teams. He was a two-time Parade All-American (`08, `07) and Two-time NSCAA High School Boys All-American (`08, `07). Speas was also a member of the Academy National Finals U-18 Columbus Crew Academy team. He recorded 14 goals and 10 assists as a sophomore (`06-'07) at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy. During college, Speas helped Crew Juniors to multiple National Championships at the U-20 level.

ACQUIRED

Speas was signed as the Crew's third Homegrown player on January 12, 2012.