Ben Swanson
{{short description|American professional soccer player (born 1997)}}
{{for|the English cricketer|Ben Swanson (cricketer)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2015}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Ben Swanson
| image = Swanson Ben Columbus Crew SC Meet the Team 2017.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Swanson at a Columbus Crew SC Meet the Team event in 2017
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=y|1997|7|18}}
| birth_place = Grove City, Ohio, United States
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=6}}
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = 2010–2014
| youthclubs1 = Columbus Crew SC
| years1 = 2015–2017
| clubs1 = Columbus Crew SC
| caps1 = 1
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2016–2017
| clubs2 = → Pittsburgh Riverhounds (loan)
| caps2 = 8
| goals2 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2013–2015
| nationalteam1 = United States U18
| nationalcaps1 = 15
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2015
| nationalteam2 = United States U20
| nationalcaps2 = 2
| nationalgoals2 = 0
|pcupdate = April 20, 2017
|ntupdate = September 4, 2015
}}
Ben Swanson (born July 18, 1997) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder.
Youth
Born in Grove City, Ohio, Swanson graduated from Grove City High School. He joined the youth teams of Columbus Crew SC in 2006, moving to the Crew Soccer Academy in 2010. In 2012, Swanson was invited to U.S. Soccer's Residency Program in Bradenton, Florida.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2012/08/24/us-soccer-invites-11-mls-academy-products-bradenton|title=US Soccer invites 11 MLS academy products to Bradenton|website=MLSSoccer.com|accessdate=28 July 2017}} He had earned the invitation after being discovered while playing with Crew Academy teams in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Swanson began practicing with the senior team in September 2014, and at the time of signing his first professional contract was the longest-tenured Crew Youth player in organization history.{{cite web|url=https://www.columbuscrewsc.com/post/2014/10/15/crew-sign-homegrown-player-ben-swanson-special-crew-youth-soccer-event-thursday|title=Crew to sign Homegrown Player Ben Swanson at special Crew Youth soccer event on Thursday|website=ColumbusCrewSC.com|accessdate=28 July 2017}}
Club career
=Columbus Crew SC=
On October 17, 2014, MLS club Columbus Crew SC announced that Swanson would sign a Homegrown Player contract with the club and would be formally added to the roster on January 1, 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.columbuscrewsc.com/post/2014/10/17/crew-signs-homegrown-player-ben-swanson|title=Crew signs Homegrown Player Ben Swanson|website=ColumbusCrewSC.com|accessdate=28 July 2015}} He became the ninth, and youngest, Homegrown Player in club history once his contract became official.
Swanson made his Columbus debut on May 27, 2015, in a 1–0 friendly defeat against Valencia CF.{{cite web|url=https://www.columbuscrewsc.com/post/2015/05/27/valencia-cf-outlasts-crew-sc-international-friendly|title=Valencia CF outlasts Crew SC in international friendly|website=ColumbusCrewSC.com|accessdate=27 July 2017}} Although just a friendly, it marked the first professional match of Swanson's career. Later in the season, he was chosen to take part in the 2015 MLS Homegrown Game alongside fellow Crew SC HGP Matt Lampson.{{cite web|url=http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/landon-donovan-names-gameday-roster-2015-chipotle-mls-homegrown-game|title=Landon Donovan Names Gameday Roster for 2015 Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game|website=MLSSoccer.com|accessdate=28 July 2017|archive-date=July 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729110055/http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/landon-donovan-names-gameday-roster-2015-chipotle-mls-homegrown-game|url-status=dead}} Swanson replaced Dillon Serna at halftime against Club América U20s, tallying a shot as the MLS players were defeated 1–1, 5–4 on penalties.{{cite web|url=https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2015-07-28-mls-homegrown-team-vs-club-america-u-20/boxscore|title=MLS Homegrown 1(4) - Club América U20 1(5)|website=MLSSoccer.com|accessdate=28 July 2017|archive-date=July 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729104452/https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2015-07-28-mls-homegrown-team-vs-club-america-u-20/boxscore|url-status=dead}} He did not appear in any other match for Crew SC on the season, but was sent to Germany late in the year to train with the reserve and youth teams of multiple clubs to help gain experience.{{cite web|url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2015/09/25/0925-crew-sc-ben-swanson-germany.html|title=Soccer - Crew: Ben Swanson goes to Germany to help development|website=Dispatch.com|accessdate=27 July 2017}} Swanson finished his first professional season without having appeared in an official game for Crew SC.
Although Swanson was sent on loan to begin the 2016 season, he was recalled midway through the year by Crew SC, with the club battling injuries and international call-ups. The attrition allowed Swanson to make his club and MLS debut on June 1, replacing Mohammed Saeid in the 74th minute against Philadelphia Union.{{cite web|url=https://matchcenter.columbuscrewsc.com/matchcenter/2016-06-01-philadelphia-union-vs-columbus-crew-sc/boxscore|title=Philadelphia Union 3-2 Columbus Crew SC|website=ColumbusCrewSC.com|accessdate=23 December 2016|archive-date=June 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160607130028/http://matchcenter.columbuscrewsc.com/matchcenter/2016-06-01-philadelphia-union-vs-columbus-crew-sc/boxscore|url-status=dead}} He completed eight passes in the short time he was on the field, but could not prevent a 3–2 defeat for Crew SC. It would mark Swanson's only appearance on the season for Columbus, as he was recalled from loan and placed on the Season-Ending Injury List in July after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder.{{cite web|url=https://www.columbuscrewsc.com/post/2016/07/29/crew-sc-places-ben-swanson-season-ending-injury-list|title=Crew SC places Ben Swanson on Season-Ending Injury List|website=ColumbusCrewSC.com|accessdate=27 July 2017}}
Swanson was again sent on loan to Pittsburgh to begin the 2017 season, but again suffered an injury that ruled him out for the season. He was recalled and placed on the Season-Ending Injury List on April 20 after undergoing surgery on his right ankle.{{cite web|url=https://www.columbuscrewsc.com/post/2017/04/20/crew-sc-place-swanson-season-ending-injury-list|title=Crew SC places Swanson on Season-Ending Injury List|website=ColumbusCrewSC.com|accessdate=27 July 2017}} He was expected to miss five to seven months after the surgery.{{cite web|url=https://pittsburghsoccerreport.com/2017/04/21/swanson-undergoes-surgery-out-5-to-7-months/|title=Swanson Undergoes Surgery; Out '5 to 7 Months'|website=PittsburghSoccerReport.com|accessdate=27 July 2017}}{{Dead link|date=June 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
On December 1, 2017, Crew SC declined Swanson's contract option, ending his 12-year affiliation with the club.{{cite web|url=https://www.columbuscrewsc.com/post/2017/12/01/options-exercised-9-players-ahead-2018-season|title=Options exercised on 9 players ahead of 2018 season|website=ColumbusCrewSC.com|accessdate=10 December 2017}} Swanson was a part of the first team in Columbus for three seasons, but made just one appearance across all competitions for the club.
==Loan to Pittsburgh Riverhounds==
On March 17, 2016, Swanson was loaned to Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Columbus' affiliate club in the USL.{{cite web|url=http://riverhounds.com/2016/03/17/columbus-sends-two-players-to-hounds/|title=Columbus Sends Two Players to Hounds – Pittsburgh Riverhounds|website=Riverhounds.com|accessdate=24 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503025306/http://riverhounds.com/2016/03/17/columbus-sends-two-players-to-hounds/|archive-date=May 3, 2016|url-status=dead}} He made his Riverhounds and professional debut on April 17 in a home match against Toronto FC II. Swanson came on as a substitute in the 42nd minute to replace Nick Kolarac, receiving a yellow card in the 75th minute of a 2–2 draw.{{cite web|url=http://www.riverhounds.com/news_article/show/722055?referrer_id=2993158|title=BRANSON DELIVERS TO GIVE HOUNDS FIRST POINT OF THE SEASON|website=Riverhounds.com|date=April 17, 2016|accessdate=27 July 2017}} Two weeks later, Swanson earned his first career start, coming away to Charleston Battery on April 30. He lasted 64 minutes before being replaced by Corey Hertzog in a 1–1 draw.{{cite web|url=http://www.riverhounds.com/news_article/show/722060?referrer_id=2993158|title=CHARLESTON PENALTY STEALS TWO POINTS FROM HOUNDS|website=Riverhounds.com|date=April 30, 2016|accessdate=27 July 2017}} Swanson also appeared as a substitute on May 7 in a 3–1 defeat against New York Red Bulls II{{cite web|url=http://www.riverhounds.com/news_article/show/722063?referrer_id=2993158|title=HOUNDS FALL TO NEW YORK AT HOME, 1-3|website=Riverhounds.com|date=May 7, 2016|accessdate=27 July 2017}} before being recalled by Columbus. After returning to Pittsburgh in June, he made two more appearances as a substitute, both times replacing Lebogang Moloto.{{cite web|url=http://www.riverhounds.com/news_article/show/722077?referrer_id=2993158|title=HOUNDS FALL ON THE ROAD TO STEEL FC, 2-0|website=Riverhounds.com|date=July 10, 2016|accessdate=27 July 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.riverhounds.com/news_article/show/722079?referrer_id=2993158|title=HOUNDS DROP THIRD-STRAIGHT IN 2-1 LOSS TO CITY ISLANDERS|website=Riverhounds.com|date=July 17, 2016|accessdate=27 July 2017}} However, Swanson was forced to undergo shoulder surgery in late July, ruling him out for the season. He ended the season having made five appearances over two stints with the Riverhounds.
On March 4, 2017, the Riverhounds announced that Swanson would be returning to the club on loan for a second consecutive season.{{cite web|url=http://www.riverhounds.com/news_article/show/765099-hounds-loaned-three-players-from-crew-sc|title=HOUNDS LOANED THREE PLAYERS FROM CREW SC|website=Riverhounds.com|date=March 4, 2017|accessdate=27 July 2017}} He made his season debut on March 25 in the season opener against New York Red Bulls II, replacing fellow Crew SC loanee Marshall Hollingsworth in the 62nd minute of the 3–3 draw.{{cite web|url=http://www.riverhounds.com/news_article/show/774049?referrer_id=2993158|title=HOUNDS, RED BULLS II DRAW, 3-3, IN SEASON OPENER|website=Riverhounds.com|date=March 25, 2017|accessdate=27 July 2017}} A week later, Swanson started for the first time on the season against FC Cincinnati, but was replaced by Michael Green in the 63rd minute of an eventual 1–0 defeat for the Riverhounds.{{cite web|url=http://www.riverhounds.com/news_article/show/776485?referrer_id=2993158|title=SHORTHANDED HOUNDS FALL TO CINCINNATI, 1-0|website=Riverhounds.com|date=April 2017|accessdate=27 July 2017}} Swanson also started in the third match of the season for Pittsburgh, away to Charleston Battery on April 8, but was forced off injured in the 13th minute after a hard foul by Romario Williams. Swanson suffered an ankle injury that required surgery, prematurely ending his season for a second year in a row. He finished the season with just three appearances for Pittsburgh.
International career
Swanson has been called up at U18 and U20 level by the United States. He was called up to the U18s for the first time in September 2013, as part of a 36-player training camp in Carson, California.{{cite web|url=https://www.socceramerica.com/article/53806/us-under-18-mens-national-team-roster.html|title=U.S. under-18 men's national team roster|website=SoccerAmerica.com|date=May 15, 2013 |accessdate=28 July 2017}} Swanson made his first appearances for the U18s in 2014, taking part in the Lisbon International Tournament,{{cite web|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/06/02/09/45/140602-u18-mnt-lisbon-tournament-roster-rel|title=U-18 MNT TO PLAY AT INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT IN PORTUGAL|website=USSoccer.com|accessdate=28 July 2017}} International Tournament of Václav Ježek,{{cite web|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/08/13/16/40/140813-u18-czech-roster|title=U.S. U-18 MNT ROSTER NAMED FOR CZECH REPUBLIC TOURNAMENT|website=USSoccer.com|accessdate=28 July 2017}} a December training camp in Marbella, Spain,{{cite web|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/12/10/13/44/141210-u18-mnt-roster-for-spain|title=JAVIER PEREZ CALLS IN 20-PLAYER ROSTER FOR U-18 MNT CAMP IN SPAIN|website=USSoccer.com|accessdate=28 July 2017}} and captaining the side in a friendly against Canada in April.{{cite web|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/04/09/16/50/140408-u18mntvcan-match-recap-report|title=U.S. U-18 MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM CRAFTS 2-1 FRIENDLY WIN AGAINST CANADA|website=USSoccer.com|accessdate=28 July 2017}} He continued to be called up by the U18s in 2015, earning an invite to the first camp of the year in Bosnia and Herzegovina in April,{{cite web|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2015/04/20/17/48/150420-u18mnt-bosnia-camo-roster|title=U-18 MNT HEADED TO BOSNIA FOR TRAINING CAMP|website=USSoccer.com|accessdate=28 July 2017}} as well as the NTC Invitational Tournament in July.{{cite web|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2015/07/07/17/27/150707-u18mnt-carson-camp-and-ntc-roster|title=U-18 MNT IN CARSON FOR CAMP AND NTC INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT|website=USSoccer.com|accessdate=28 July 2017}} Swanson earned 15 caps for the U18s while eligible to play for the team.
Swanson earned his first call-up to the U20s in August 2015, as he was selected to take part in the Stevan Vilotić-Cele Tournament.{{cite web|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2015/08/28/12/31/150828-u20mnt-begins-new-cycle-at-stevan-vilotic-tournament|title=U-20 MNT BEGINS NEW CYCLE AT STEVAN VILOTIC TOURNAMENT IN SERBIA|website=USSoccer.com|accessdate=28 July 2017}} He started on his U20 debut, going 63 minutes in a 3–1 defeat to Serbia before being replaced by future club teammate Abuchi Obinwa.{{cite web|url=https://www.ussoccer.com/us-under20-mens-national-team/tournaments/2015-u20mnt-stevan-vilotic-tournament/150903-u20mnt-v-srb#tab-1|title=U.S. U-20 MNT VS. SERBIA 1-3 L|website=USSoccer.com|accessdate=28 July 2017}} Swanson also appeared the next day against France, replacing James Murphy in the 74th minute of a 6–1 defeat for the US.{{cite web|url=https://www.ussoccer.com/us-under20-mens-national-team/tournaments/2015-u20mnt-stevan-vilotic-tournament/150904-u20mnt-v-fra#tab-1|title=U.S. U-20 MNT VS. FRANCE 1-6 L|website=USSoccer.com|accessdate=28 July 2017}} Those caps were the only two appearances Swanson made for the U20s.
Career statistics
{{updated|April 20, 2017.}}{{Soccerway|benjamin-swanson/289563}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | ||||||||||
| rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|Playoffs !colspan=2|Cup !colspan=2|Continental !colspan=2|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan=4|Columbus Crew SC
|2015 |rowspan=3|MLS |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|– | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2016
|1 | 0 | colspan=2|– | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|– | 1 | 0 | |||
| 2017
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|– | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| rowspan=3|Pittsburgh Riverhounds (loan)
|2016 |rowspan=2|USL |5 | 0 | colspan=2|– | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|– | 5 | 0 | |||
| 2017
|3 | 0 | colspan=2|– | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|– | 3 | 0 | |||
| colspan=2|Total
!8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | |
| colspan=3|Career total
!9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- [https://www.columbuscrewsc.com/players/ben-swanson Columbus profile]
- {{MLS player|ben-swanson}}
- {{USL player|ben-swanson}}
- {{Soccerway|benjamin-swanson/289563}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Swanson, Ben}}
Category:People from Grove City, Ohio
Category:Sportspeople from Franklin County, Ohio
Category:American men's soccer players
Category:Soccer players from Ohio
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Columbus Crew players
Category:Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC players
Category:Major League Soccer players
Category:USL Championship players
Category:United States men's youth international soccer players
Category:United States men's under-20 international soccer players