The Pittsburgh Riverhounds have received Ben Swanson and Marshall Hollingsworth on loan from Columbus Crew SC.
The midfielders are the first players loaned to the Hounds under the club’s new affiliate partnership with Columbus. Crew SC retains the option to recall either player at any point during Major League Soccer’s regular season subject to roster compliance guidelines.
“We’re fortunate to get Ben and Marshall on loan,” said Riverhounds head coach Mark Steffens. “The Columbus coaching staff feels that both of them will be playing with their first team in Major League Soccer in the near future.”
Columbus area native Swanson, 18, joined Crew SC as a homegrown player in October 2014. He earned multiple call-ups to U.S. Soccer’s youth national teams during his upbringing in the Crew Soccer Academy and received his first U.S. Under-20 cap last September.
Swanson featured in Crew SC’s exhibition game against Spanish club Valencia last year. He has yet to make his competitive debut for Columbus.
Hollingsworth signed his first professional contract with Columbus this month after being selected with the No. 41 pick in this year’s MLS SuperDraft. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder played collegiately at Division III school Wheaton College where he tallied 45 goals and 21 assists in 92 appearances.
“Marshall and Ben will benefit from valuable match experience while with Pittsburgh,” said Crew SC sporting director and head coach Gregg Berhalter. “We look forward to monitoring their progress during their time on loan.”
The Riverhounds signed an affiliation agreement with Crew SC last December to become the MLS side’s primary destination for loaned players. Columbus won last year’s Eastern Conference before falling short in its bid for a second MLS crown against the Portland Timbers.
Reigning United Soccer League champion the Rochester Rhinos comes to Pittsburgh for the regular season opener on April 2.
