Columbus Crew Signs Defender Philip Quinton to First Team Contract

February 8, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Columbus Crew SC News Release

COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew today announced that the Club has signed defender Philip Quinton. The 23-year-old has signed a First Team contract for the 2023 season with options through 2026. Selected by the Crew in the First Round (25th overall) of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft, Quinton appeared in 19 matches as Crew 2 lifted the first-ever MLS NEXT Pro Cup in 2022 before earning promotion to the First Team.

Quinton is the third Crew 2 player to join the First Team, following the Crew’s signing of forward Jacen Russell-Rowe and defender Mo Farsi in 2022.

“We want to congratulate Phil on earning an opportunity with the First Team,” said Crew President and General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “We were impressed by Phil’s defensive performances with Crew 2, and his preparation, hard work and efforts have not gone unnoticed as he came into the 2023 preseason ready to fight for a position. Phil is another example of a player who spent time with Crew 2 prior to making the jump to the First Team, and we are proud to have established this pathway for players like him to take this next step in their professional careers.”

MEDIA ASSETS: For images of Philip Quinton, please clickhere(Courtesy of Columbus Crew)

The Crew selected Quinton in the First Round of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft following a trade in which the Crew acquired Real Salt Lake’s natural first-round pick (25th overall). Quinton subsequently signed an MLS NEXT Pro professional contract with Crew 2 on March 17, 2022.

In his rookie season with Crew 2, Quinton appeared in 19 matches (17 starts) in MLS NEXT Pro, including playing every minute of the postseason campaign as Crew 2 captured the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro Cup with a 4-1 victory over St Louis CITY2 on Oct. 8, 2022.

Born in Columbus, Quinton attended the University of Notre Dame, where he represented the Fighting Irish from 2018-21 and appeared in a total of 58 matches. In his senior season, during which he served as a team captain, Quinton and Notre Dame recorded 13 clean sheets during the regular season, captured the ACC tournament title, and reached the semifinal of the NCAA College Cup. A four-time ACC Honor Roll member, Quinton was additionally named to the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Tournament Team (2021), All-ACC Third Team (2021) and TopDrawerSoccer’s Postseason Best XI First Team during his collegiate career.

The Crew’s 2023 MLS preseason campaign continues with the team…