Ben Swanson graduated from Grove City High School on Saturday. It was not the highlight of his week - not even close. Three days before he graduated, Swanson made his Major League Soccer debut with Crew SC. With the roster thinned by call-ups and injuries, the 18-year-old was pressed into action for 16 minutes at the Philadelphia Union.

Ben Swanson graduated from Grove City High School on Saturday.

It was not the highlight of his week � not even close.

Three days before he graduated, Swanson made his Major League Soccer debut with Crew SC. With the roster thinned by call-ups and injuries, the 18-year-old was pressed into action for 16 minutes at the Philadelphia Union.

Even though the Crew lost 3-2 and Swanson struggled at times, he didn�t hesitate when asked which milestone was more special.

�Making my debut, for sure,� he said, adding with a laugh, �I don�t even think I have to answer that one.�

Even for someone his age, his debut felt like a long time coming. A product of the Crew Soccer Academy, the midfielder joined the Crew as a homegrown player in 2014.

He didn�t play last season before the Crew arranged to send him to Germany to play against players his age. This spring, Swanson�s progress was slowed by a concussion.

His time finally came against Philadelphia because the Crew�s roster was depleted. He and Cristian Martinez, who scored a goal, made their debuts after Federico Higuain and Mohammed Saeid were injured.

�It was unexpected,� coach Gregg Berhalter said. �You go there thin as it is. You don�t expect two key guys to go down like that. But it happens. It�s soccer. Then all of a sudden, you have two (teenagers) on the field. You have to scramble.�

Swanson acknowledged having butterflies.

�But overall, I thought it was a good step forward and something to build off of,� he said.

That was Berhalter�s view as well.

�Benny needs to get used to getting the ball in positions that aren�t comfortable,� he said. � When we were down to 10 men (after a since-revoked red card), I think it forced him to do that. He struggled at times. That struggle is what helps you grow. I�m happy to see that.�

Swanson has played in three games for the Crew�s affiliate in the United Soccer League, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Berhalter said it�s important for Swanson to establish himself there.

The Crew�s next game is Wednesday at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium against the North American Soccer League�s Tampa Bay Rowdies in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup.

At this stage of the Open Cup, MLS teams tend to give their younger players playing time. So there�s a chance that Swanson�s debut against Philadelphia won�t be a cameo.

Playing for the Crew in Columbus would be special for Swanson. But nothing could quite match last week�s whirlwind of achievements.

�It�s been a crazy week,� he said. �It was a lot of fun, a lot of emotions. Playing in my first pro game and graduating on Saturday was pretty cool.�

brabinowitz@dispatch.com

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