The Columbus Crew announced plans for the club’s first-ever overseas trip, a 12-day preseason tour of the German region of Bavaria that will also mark the first time any MLS team has ventured to Germany. The Crew will leave Columbus on Feb. 14 and be based in Nuernberg from Feb. 15-25, as it continues to prepare for its sixth Major League Soccer season. The trip was coordinated by USSportsLink of Chicago and will include regular training sessions and five exhibition matches against German clubs, as well as an opportunity to attend prestigious European matches. The team will train at 1.FC Nuernberg’s training facility, Sportpark Am Valznerweiher, and make day trips by bus to the cities of Stuttgart, Schweinfurt, Munich, Weiden and Pegnitz. “We are thrilled that this trip has come together and the entire team is very much looking forward to it,” said Crew head coach Tom Fitzgerald. “Not only will it give us an opportunity to measure ourselves against European competition, it will also be a refreshing change of pace and a chance to spend a couple of weeks in a country where soccer is the national pastime.” Germany Itinerary: Feb. 14 — Depart Columbus. Arrive in Munich at 8 a.m. on Feb. 15. Feb. 15 — Attend UEFA Cup match at Gottlieb Daimler Stadium, Stuttgart between VfB Stuttgart and Celta de Vigo (Spain). Feb. 16 — Training at Sportpark Am Valznerweiher in Nuernberg. Attend Bundesliga match at Frankenstadion in Nuernberg between 1.FC Nuernberg and Stuttgarter Kickers. Feb. 17 — Crew vs. FC Schweinfurt at Willi-Sachs Stadium in Schweinfurt. Feb. 18 — Crew vs. TSV 1860 Munich at Gruenwalderstadion in Munich. Feb. 19 — Training at Sportpark Am Valznerweiher. Feb. 20 — Training at Sportpark Am Valznerweiher. Crew vs. SpVgg Weiden at Weiden Stadium. Feb. 21 — Training at Sportpark Am Valznerweiher. Feb. 22 — Morning training at Sportpark Am Valznerweiher. Crew vs. SpVgg Unterhaching of Munich at Sportpark Am Valznerweiher. Feb. 23 — Training at Sportpark Am Valznerweiher. Feb. 24 — Crew vs. Franconian All-Stars at FC Pegnitz Stadium in Pegnitz. Feb. 25 — Return to Columbus.