Football: Columbus Crew Draft Justin Donawa
Bermuda’s Justin Donawa was selected 66th overall in the 2019 Major League Soccer SuperDraft by the Columbus Crew, a professional football team based out of Ohio.
The club’s announcement said, “Columbus Crew SC today selected two players in the Third and Fourth Rounds of the 2019 Major League Soccer SuperDraft, held this afternoon via conference call.
“The Black & Gold selected Dartmouth College midfielder Justin Donawa with the 18th pick in the Third Round [66th overall] and Valparaiso University midfielder Rafael Mentzingen with the 18th pick in the Fourth Round [90th overall] before passing on the 91st overall selection.
Graphic courtesy of the Columbus Crew
“Justin Donawa, 22, played four seasons at Dartmouth College, making 48 appearances [33 starts], scoring nine goals and providing 16 assists. During his time with the Dartmouth Big Green, Donawa was named to the 2017 First Team All-Ivy League and earned two honorable mentions [2015, 2016].
“At the international level, Donawa has earned 10 caps and scored two goals with the Bermuda National Team. The midfielder made his debut for Bermuda as a starter in a friendly against Grenada on March 6, 2015 at the Bermuda National Stadium in Hamilton, Bermuda.
“On March 26, 2015, Donawa scored two goals in Bermuda’s 5-0 road victory over Bahamas in a 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier at Thomas Robinson Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas.”
The team’s MLS preseason training begins on January 23 in Central Ohio after entrance physicals and testing. From there, the club departs to California for its preseason camp, and the team will be in Central Ohio from February 7-12 before traveling to Charleston, South Carolina to participate in the 2019 Carolina Challenge Cup.
Video of Donawa’s first college football goal in 2015, an impressive shot from some 40 yards out
Congrats young man and family.. keep making Bermuda proud..
Justin, I knew you would be successful! You have always set your standards high and I’m so proud of you! Nana always!