Last week's big Crew news was the signing of Designated Player Federico Higuain. Higuain's expected to make an instant impact with an eye on the playoffs.
With the headlines focusing on the big names, the Crew's summer friendly against English Premier League team Stoke City was overlooked this week.
The friendly game was a chance for the visitors to get everyone on the roster a chance to play, and gain fitness on the first stop of their overseas preseason tour.
It will be overshadowed by games against rivals and playoff position fights, but will certainly stand out for three instrumental Crew players.
Goalkeeper Matt Lampson, midfielder Ben Speas, and forward Aaron Horton were on the field for the Crew's comeback 2-1 win, with Horton and Speas scoring the team's goals on the night. All three are homegrown players, the Crew's first.
The homegrown player rule is unique to MLS - any team can sign a player before the draft if they have played one year in the club's youth development program, plus a few additional league requirements.
Lampson is a Dublin native who played college soccer at Ohio State. Speas, from Stow, cut short his college experience to go pro this year. Aaron Horton grew up in Lewis Center, just north of Columbus.
The youngest of the group at just 20, Horton was the Crew's first homegrown player. Lampson, 22, signed just after the 2011 season ended in December. Speas, 21, signed with the team the day before the January draft.
It's been a struggle for each to make an impact with the pros, as the team is stocked with veterans and other young players looking for minutes.
Lampson has not seen minutes, but made the 18-man roster as Andy Gruenebaum's backup since William Hesmer was lost for the season. He has had to make due with Open Cup and reserve league games.
Horton saw one minute of action last year against Real Salt Lake when the team was beset by injuries. He returned to the roster several more times, but never made it on the field.
"I'd love to get into the 18," Horton said. "That's why I'm here. That's why I wanted to come here."
The Crew sent him on loan to the Dayton Dutch Lions earlier this season, but he didn't make an appearance and was recalled early.
Speas had to wait a little longer to make his mark in training, after suffering a sports hernia. He was out of action until his early June debut with the reserve team.
"I've been training for a while, but it felt good to be out there on the field," Speas remarked on his goal-scoring appearance last week.
Like Horton, he has yet to make the game day roster, but he's pushing to get more time with the first team.
The waiting is tough for Speas, but he kept the focus off of himself when asked about it.
"It just felt great to help the team any way I can," he said.
There is no limit to the number of homegrown players a club may sign in a given year and there is plenty of Academy talent.
Horton was positive on his time with the Crew so far.
"The first year was a great learning process for me," he said. "I just want to keep building and get better as a player."
While the Crew has added scoring talent through the midseason transfer window, that hasn't stopped Speas or Horton from pressing to get in the lineup.
"It's the coach's decision in the end," said Horton. "Hopefully in games and practice, I can prove to him that I can come through".
