Midfielder Chris Birchall wore the captain’s armband in Columbus Crew’s 2-1 win over Kenwyne Jones’ English club Stoke City in Tuesday’s pre-season clash at Crew Stadium.
Defender Julius James also played in defence as goals by Aaron Horton and Ben Speas gave the hosts the win. Speas, who has yet to appear in an MLS game, found the game-winner just three minutes from time. “It was an honour to captain Crew in this game against Stoke.
There was a lot of talk about it with me being from England and growing up in the area,” said Birchall. “I thought we played actually well.
We’re in season now and this is a pre-season affair for them but it’s always good when a team from the MLS could get good results against a Premiership side. I think it was a good victory for the club.” Stoke faces Kevin Molino’s Orlando City on Saturday in another friendly.