Columbus Crew fans have much to watch for during the upcoming March FIFA international window, as six First Team players have received call-ups to represent their national teams. The selections span continents and age groups, highlighting the growing international presence within the Black & Gold. Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte and midfielder Max Arfsten will join the U.S. Men’s National Team, while defenders Steven Moreira and Owen Presthus will represent Cape Verde and the U.S. U-20 squad, respectively. Midfielder Sekou Bangoura earned a call-up to Guinea and forward Chase Adams will feature for the U.S. U-18 team. Beyond the First Team, several Crew Academy players are also gaining valuable international experience.
The most high-profile call-ups are undoubtedly those of Schulte and Arfsten to the U.S. Men’s National Team. The pair will be available for friendlies against Belgium on March 28 and Portugal on March 31, both taking place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The U.S. Soccer Federation announced the roster on March 13, 2026, signaling a chance for both players to showcase their talent on a larger stage. Schulte, a rising star in MLS, will compete with Matt Turner and Ethan Horvath for playing time, while Arfsten will seem to earn his first senior cap.
Youth Movement: Adams and Presthus Represent the Future
The Crew’s commitment to developing young talent is also evident in the call-ups of Chase Adams and Owen Presthus. Adams, just 17 years old, will join the U.S. U-18 Men’s National Team for the 2026 Torneio Internacional de Lisboa in Portugal. The tournament features matches against Iceland on March 26, Morocco on March 28, and hosts Portugal on March 31. Adams, signed as the Club’s third-youngest Homegrown player on January 7, 2026, has already made a significant impact with Crew 2, leading the team with four goals this season. He previously represented the U.S. At the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, making two appearances (one start), and boasts an impressive goal-scoring record with 19 goals in 18 appearances across youth levels, including a remarkable 10-goal performance against the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Presthus, also a Homegrown player, will participate in a training camp with the U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team in Argentina from March 22 to April 1. The U-20s are scheduled to face Argentina on March 27 at the Predio Deportivo Lionel Andrés Messi in Buenos Aires and Club Atlético Independiente reserves on March 31. Presthus has three appearances with the U-20 and U-19 national teams, providing one assist. His development has been accelerated by a loan to Hartford Athletic, where he scored on his debut on August 23 against Rhode Island FC and earned USL Championship Player of the Week honors.
International Experience Across the Board
Beyond the youth levels, several Crew players will gain valuable experience representing their countries. Sekou Bangoura has been called up to the Guinea national team for friendlies against Togo on March 27 and Benin on March 31, both matches to be played in Morocco. Bangoura earned his first senior cap for Guinea on November 16, 2025, scoring the game-winning goal in a 2-0 victory over Liberia. He has represented Guinea at various youth levels, including the U-17 and U-23 AFCON tournaments, as well as the 2024 Olympics.
Steven Moreira will join Cape Verde for friendlies against Chile on March 26 and Finland on March 29 in New Zealand. Moreira has earned 17 caps for Cape Verde since his debut in 2023 and played a key role in their historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup – the nation’s first-ever appearance in the tournament. He has been a consistent presence in the Crew’s starting lineup, starting four of their contests in 2026 and making 30 regular season appearances (29 starts) in 2025.
Crew Academy Representation Continues to Grow
The Crew’s development pipeline is also being recognized internationally. Gianmarco Di Noto will join the U.S. U-17 MNT for a friendly against Paraguay on March 28 as part of a camp in Paraguay from March 24-29. Immanuel Adewunmi, Elvis Caushaj, and Gage Lewis have been selected for a U-15 domestic training camp held from March 16-23 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Jorge Salmerón will represent Mexico’s U-16 Men’s National Team at the annual Montaigu Tournament in France, facing Portugal, Peru, and Japan in the group stage.
A minor roster adjustment saw defender Prince Forfor withdrawn from the U.S. U-17s training camp roster due to an injury sustained during a Crew 2 match against FC Cincinnati 2 on March 21.
The widespread international call-ups reflect the growing quality and depth of the Columbus Crew roster, from established First Team players to promising Academy prospects. Fans will be able to follow their Crew representatives throughout the March FIFA international window, with updates available through the official Columbus Crew website and U.S. Soccer’s channels.
The next confirmed action for the Crew will be their return to MLS play on April 5th against Charlotte FC, where fans will observe how these international experiences translate back to the league. Share your thoughts on the Crew’s international representation in the comments below!
