Columbus Crew sign 17-year-old midfielder Tristan Brown to homegrown contract

The Columbus Crew have signed 17-year-old midfielder Tristan Brown to a homegrown contract through the 2028 season, with options for 2029 and 2030, making him the second-youngest player in club history to do so. Brown joined the Crew Academy in 2022 and quickly progressed to the MLS NEXT Pro team, Crew 2, where he made 29 appearances and scored two goals before making his MLS debut in March 2025. Crew General Manager Issa Tall praised Brown for his consistent effort and strong work ethic, highlighting the club's commitment to developing homegrown talent. Brown expressed that signing the contract fulfills a lifelong dream and emphasized his desire to continue growing and contributing to the team. He has already gained first-team experience with two MLS appearances and aims to learn from seasoned players like captain Darlington Nagbe. The Crew, currently looking to improve after a challenging recent stretch, see Brown as a key part of their future roster.