Columbus Crew SC today announced that it has loaned forward Adam Bedell to the Richmond Kickers of the United Soccer League (USL). Bedell is set to report to Richmond this week ahead of the Kickers' match on Saturday, July 25 at New York Red Bulls II. The Black & Gold retain the option to recall Bedell at any point.
“We believe this will be a good opportunity for Adam to gain valuable minutes and continue his development in his second season as a professional,” said Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter.
Bedell has made 16 Major League Soccer regular-season appearances since being drafted by Crew SC in the Third Round (45th overall) in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft on January 21 of that year. He scored two goals in his rookie campaign for the Black & Gold, including his first MLS tally on July 12, 2014 against New York at Red Bull Arena, where the Kickers are scheduled to play on Saturday.
This season, the former University of Detroit Mercy forward has made two competitive starts for Crew SC, both in the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. In the Fourth Round, on June 17 at Richmond, Bedell notched his first professional brace in a 3-1 win for Columbus. He also started the Round of 16 match at Orlando City SC on June 30. Additionally, he made a substitute appearance in Crew SC's international friendly against Valencia CF on May 27. Bedell also earned experience on-loan with the Austin Aztex earlier this season and made three appearances in May, including two starts, before returning to Crew SC ahead of his appearance in the May 27 international friendly.
Prior to being drafted, Bedell was a participant in the Black & Gold's first-ever College Combine, hosted by Columbus' First Team technical staff on December 14, 2013. While at Detroit, he was named the Horizon League Player of the Year and the Horizon League Offensive Player of the Year in 2012 with his League-leading 11 goals as a junior. His five assists that season also tied for the League lead.
The Black & Gold continue a two-match homestand this weekend by hosting Toronto FC in the second leg of the Trillium Cup rivalry series on Saturday, July 25 (7:30 p.m. ET / Time Warner Cable SportsChannel, CD102.5 FM, 103.1 FM La Mega).
