Columbus Crew facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Columbus Crew

Full name	Columbus Crew
Nickname(s)	The Crew The Black and Gold
Founded	June 15, 1994; 31 years ago (1994-06-15)
Stadium	Lower.com Field Columbus, Ohio
Stadium capacity	20,371
Stadium coordinates	39°58′6.46″N 83°1′1.52″W / 39.9684611°N 83.0170889°W / 39.9684611; -83.0170889
Owners	Dee and Jimmy Haslam JW and Whitney Johnson Pete Edwards
General Manager	Issa Tall
Head coach	Wilfried Nancy
League	Major League Soccer
2024	Eastern Conference: 2nd Overall: 2nd Playoffs: First round
Home colors Away colors Third colors

The Columbus Crew is a professional soccer team from Columbus, Ohio. They play in Major League Soccer (MLS) as part of the Eastern Conference. The team started playing in 1996. It was one of the first 10 clubs in the league.

The Crew is currently owned by the Haslam family and Pete Edwards. Their home stadium is Lower.com Field, which opened in 2021. From 1999 to 2021, the Crew played at Historic Crew Stadium. This was the first stadium built just for an MLS team. Before 1999, they played at Ohio Stadium. In 2023, the team had record attendance for their games.

The Crew has won eight major trophies. They won the MLS Cup in 2008, 2020, and 2023. They also won the Supporters' Shield in 2004, 2008, and 2009. Other wins include the 2002 U.S. Open Cup and the Leagues Cup in 2024. The team has played in the CONCACAF Champions Cup six times. In 2021, they won their first international trophy, the Campeones Cup. In 2024, the Crew reached their first Champions' Cup final.

Team History

How the Crew Started (1994–1998)

The Crew played their first game on April 13, 1996, at Ohio Stadium.

On June 15, 1994, Major League Soccer announced that Columbus, Ohio, would get one of the first 10 teams. Columbus promised to build a special soccer stadium. They also sold over 12,000 season tickets. The team was first called the Columbus Eclipse. This was because a solar eclipse happened over the city.

Before the first MLS season, a contest was held to name the team. The name "the Crew" was chosen from many ideas. The winner connected it to Christopher Columbus and his voyages. But the team soon realized this connection might be controversial. So, they decided to focus on a different kind of "crew." Their first logo showed three men in hard hats. This represented construction workers and the hard-working spirit of the Midwest.

Lamar Hunt and his son Clark became the owners of the Columbus Crew in 1996. The first players included Doctor Khumalo and Brian McBride. McBride was the first player picked in the MLS draft in 1996. Timo Liekoski was the team's first head coach.

The Crew played their first game on April 13, 1996. They won 4–0 against D.C. United at Ohio Stadium. Columbus struggled at first, winning only 5 of their next 21 games. Tom Fitzgerald took over as coach. Under him, the Crew won 9 of their last 10 games. They finished fourth in the Eastern Conference but lost in the playoffs.

In 1997 and 1998, the team finished third and fourth in the Eastern Conference. Both seasons ended with losses to D.C. United in the Conference Finals. In 1998, the Crew reached the U.S. Open Cup Final. The game was moved because of a hurricane. The Chicago Fire won 2–1 in extra time. Stern John was the top scorer in 1998 with 26 goals.

A New Home and First Trophy (1999–2003)

The 1999 season began with the opening of Columbus Crew Stadium. This was the first stadium in the United States built just for soccer. Columbus won their first game there 2–0 against New England Revolution. The stadium was full with 24,741 fans. Columbus finished second in 1999 but lost to D.C. United in the playoffs again. This was Stern John's last season with the team. He scored 52 goals in 65 games.

Columbus hosted the 2000 MLS All-Star Game. Several Crew players were in the game. The team missed the playoffs for the first time in 2000. In 2001, coach Tom Fitzgerald was replaced by Greg Andrulis. Andrulis led the team to a second-place finish. But they lost in the playoffs.

In 2002, Columbus won the U.S. Open Cup for the first time. They beat the LA Galaxy 1–0 in the final. Freddy García scored the only goal. This was the team's first championship. The Crew finished tied for first place in their conference. They lost in the league semi-finals. Kyle Martino was named Rookie of the Year in 2002. By winning the U.S. Open Cup, Columbus played in the 2003 CONCACAF Champions' Cup. They won their first round but lost in the second. Brian McBride played his last season with Columbus in 2003.

Changes and Challenges (2004–2006)

After Brian McBride left, Columbus added Robin Fraser and Simon Elliott. Fraser won the Defender of the Year award in 2004. The Crew won the Supporters' Shield in 2004. They set a team record with 49 points. This was thanks to an 18-game unbeaten streak. Even with the best record, they were eliminated from the MLS Cup playoffs. Jeff Cunningham tied the franchise goal record with 62 goals.

In the next two seasons, Columbus faced many player injuries. They struggled to win games. Coach Andrulis was replaced by Robert Warzycha in 2005. After missing the playoffs, the team hired Sigi Schmid as head coach. Schmid had won championships with the LA Galaxy. In 2006, the Crew had a 13-game winless streak. The team's founder, Lamar Hunt, passed away in December 2006.

Around this time, Crew fans started using the word "Massive." At first, it was a joke. But it became a proud way to describe the team and city.

The Barros Schelotto Era (2007–2010)

The Crew signed Guillermo Barros Schelotto in 2007, who helped them reach their first MLS Cup the next year.

In 2007, the Crew signed Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Alejandro Moreno. Even with these new players, the team missed the playoffs.

In 2008, the Crew won their first Eastern Conference title. They then won their first MLS Cup. Barros Schelotto was a key player. He scored seven goals and had 19 assists. He also won the MLS Most Valuable Player Award. The team also won their second Supporters' Shield. They won playoff games against Kansas City and Chicago Fire. Then they beat the New York Red Bulls 3–1 in the final. Chad Marshall won MLS Defender of the Year. Sigi Schmid won Coach of the Year.

After 2008, Sigi Schmid left to coach Seattle Sounders FC. Columbus then named former player Robert Warzycha as head coach. In 2009, Barros Schelotto became the team's first Designated Player. The club won their second Supporters' Shield in a row. But they lost in the playoffs. Chad Marshall won his second Defender of the Year award.

Columbus played in the CONCACAF Champions League in 2010. They reached the quarterfinals but lost. The club finished the season with a good record. But they lost in the MLS Cup playoffs. The Crew also lost in the 2010 U.S. Open Cup Final.

Rebuilding and Warzycha's Final Years (2011–2013)

In May 2011, the Crew signed their first homegrown player, Aaron Horton. In June, Columbus lost a U.S. Open Cup game to a lower-division club. This was the first time that happened. Columbus finished ninth in the league and lost in the playoffs.

In 2012, rookie midfielder Kirk Urso sadly passed away from a heart condition. On the field, the team lost in the U.S. Open Cup. They finished sixth in the Eastern Conference and just missed the playoffs.

The Precourt Era (2013–2018)

On July 30, 2013, Anthony Precourt became the new owner. He made many changes to the team's staff. He hired Gregg Berhalter as head coach and sporting director. The club also changed its logo and name to "Columbus Crew SC." Two Crew players, Giancarlo González and Waylon Francis, played in the 2014 FIFA World Cup for Costa Rica. González played very well and was later transferred for a large fee.

The 2015 season started with the return of Kei Kamara. Kamara scored 22 regular season goals. Ethan Finlay and Waylon Francis were chosen for the 2015 MLS All-Star Game. In 2015, the club set new attendance records at Crew Stadium. Columbus reached their second MLS Cup Final in 2015. They lost 2–1 at home to the Portland Timbers.

The team scored its 1,000th goal on August 12, 2017, by Justin Meram.

Proposed Move to Austin

A "Save the Crew" tifo before a game against the Chicago Fire in 2018

On October 17, 2017, owner Anthony Precourt announced he wanted to move the team to Austin, Texas. This would happen if a new stadium could not be built in Columbus. After this news, fans started a campaign called #SaveTheCrew. They worked hard to keep the team in Columbus. It was later found that Precourt's purchase agreement allowed him to move the team only to Austin.

On November 15, 2017, Precourt and MLS commissioner Don Garber met with Columbus leaders. They talked about the team's future. Columbus leaders said Precourt and MLS would not promise to keep the team in Columbus. The mayor said it was clear they were not committed to staying.

Commissioner Garber explained that it had been hard to find local owners for the team in the past. He said if Precourt had not bought the club, it might have stopped playing. He also said that the league is a "private business."

On March 5, 2018, Ohio's attorney general and Columbus's city attorney filed a lawsuit against Precourt. They used a 1996 state law (the Modell Law). This law stops sports teams that used public money from moving without notice. It also requires them to try to sell the team to a local group first. This law was passed after the Cleveland Browns moved to Baltimore.

Haslam Era and Two MLS Cups (2018–Present)

On October 12, 2018, Jimmy Haslam, owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced he was buying the Crew. Other local groups joined him. MLS said they wanted to keep the Crew in Columbus. They also said Precourt could start a new team in Austin if the deal went through. The lawsuit against Precourt was then dropped.

On January 1, 2019, the Haslam family and Dr. Pete Edwards officially took over the Crew. The new owners quickly announced they would build a new stadium in downtown Columbus.

The team then hired Tim Bezbatchenko as president and Caleb Porter as their new coach. The 2019 season was tough for the Crew. They had many injuries, including a serious one to Federico Higuaín.

Before the 2020 MLS season, the Crew signed two important players: Lucas Zelarayán and Darlington Nagbe. The team started the season well. They won their group in the MLS is Back Tournament. They finished third in the Eastern Conference. After a strong playoff run, the Crew won their second MLS Cup. They beat the Seattle Sounders 3–0 on December 12, 2020.

In 2021, the team announced a name change to "Columbus SC." They said "Columbus Crew" would be used informally. Fans strongly disliked this change. They felt it hurt the team's identity. A petition was started to bring back the original name. On May 17, 2021, the team listened to the fans. They announced that "Columbus Crew" would remain the official name. The "SC" was dropped.

The Crew recorded their first win at Lower.com Field on July 17, 2021.

Crew players celebrate winning the Eastern Conference final in the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Columbus fired coach Porter after the team missed the playoffs in 2022. In December 2022, they hired Wilfried Nancy as the new head coach. In Nancy's first season, Columbus had a great playoff run in 2023. They beat Atlanta United FC, Orlando City SC, and FC Cincinnati. This last game was part of the exciting Hell Is Real derby. The Crew reached MLS Cup 2023, played on December 9 at Lower.com Field. They defeated Los Angeles FC 2–1 to win their third MLS Cup title.

The Columbus Crew played against Tigres UANL in the quarter-finals of the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup. They tied the first game 1–1 at home. In the second game in Mexico, Columbus won 4–3 in a penalty shoot-out. This was the first time an American club beat a Mexican club away in this tournament. The Crew then beat Monterrey in both games of the semi-final. They made history with a 3–1 win in Mexico. This sent them to their first continental final.

Columbus played C.F. Pachuca in the final of the 2024 Champions Cup Tournament. The final was a single game hosted by Pachuca in Mexico. Their stadium is very high up, at 8,000 feet above sea level. The Crew lost 3–0. The high altitude and Pachuca's strong play were big factors. It was later said that several Columbus players were sick, possibly from food poisoning.

Team Colors and Badges

• 

  First logo (1996–2014)

• 

  Second logo (2014–2021)

• 

  Third logo (2021–present)

The Crew's official colors are black and gold. Their main jersey is usually bright yellow with black trim. Fans sometimes call it the "banana kit." From 1996 to 1999, the Crew wore black as their main uniform. In 2000, they showed off their first all-yellow jersey.

The alternate uniform has usually been black. For the 2012 season, Columbus started using more white uniforms. In 2015, the Crew went back to a black alternate jersey. In 2016, they also introduced a white kit inspired by the city of Columbus flag.

The club's badge from 1996 to 2014 was special. It showed three men in construction hats. This logo was meant to show hard-working people. It matched the hard-working image of Columbus.

In 2013, owner Anthony Precourt wanted a new badge. He felt the old one didn't fit Columbus anymore. He said Columbus had become a more "dynamic and diverse" city.

On October 8, 2014, the Crew showed their new circular badge. It had the team's black and gold colors. It also had a small version of the old crest with "96" on it. The black and gold checkerboard pattern from fan flags was also included. The "96" stands for 1996, the team's first year. The "O" shape in the badge looks like the Ohio state flag. "Columbus" and "SC" were added to the badge.

With new owners in 2021, a new logo and name change were introduced. Many fans were upset by this. The new logo's shape is like the Ohio state flag. It has a "C" for Crew and Columbus. A "96" is in the corner for the year the club started.

The team's nickname, "the Crew," also got a new meaning. It changed from construction workers to "a tight-knit group of people." This group comes together to share a love for the club and soccer. The nickname now means family and friendship among the club, fans, and community. The club also set three main ideas: original, energetic, and authentically Columbus. This celebrates their history as a team of "firsts."

Stadiums

Historic Crew Stadium, the Crew's home from 1999 to 2021, was MLS' first soccer-specific stadium.

Lower.com Field, the current home of the Crew.

On May 15, 1999, the Crew opened Columbus Crew Stadium. It was the first stadium built just for soccer in Major League Soccer. The Crew won their first game there 2–0. This stadium became a model for other MLS teams. It was also used by the U.S. national team for World Cup qualifying games. In 2015, the stadium was renamed Mapfre Stadium.

Before 1999, the Columbus Crew played at Ohio Stadium. This stadium holds 102,000 people. It is home to the Ohio State Buckeyes college football team. The Crew had a 33–20 record while playing there.

The team also played U.S. Open Cup games at other stadiums. These included Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium and FirstEnergy Stadium–Cub Cadet Field.

As part of the new ownership in 2018, the club planned a new stadium. It would be in the Arena District of Downtown Columbus. The new stadium cost $230 million. It seats 20,000 fans. It also has 30 suites and 1,900 club seats. In 2020, Mapfre Stadium was renamed Historic Crew Stadium. It is now used as a training facility. The new stadium, Lower.com Field, opened in mid-2021. The Crew's first game there was on July 3 against the New England Revolution.

In 2025, the Crew moved a regular season match against Inter Miami CF to Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland. This stadium is about 150 miles north of Columbus. It is home to the Cleveland Browns, who share owners with the Crew. The game was moved because many fans wanted to see Miami's stars, like Lionel Messi. It drew a record attendance of 60,614. Some fans were unhappy about the move.

Team Finances and Sponsors

The Crew aimed to be financially stable. They wanted a jersey sponsor and to sell stadium naming rights. They also wanted to increase season ticket sales. In 2012, they got a jersey sponsor, Barbasol. In 2014, the club set new attendance records. In 2015, they made a deal with MAPFRE Insurance for stadium naming rights. Merchandise and food sales also grew.

Sponsorship History

The team's first shirt sponsor was Mars' Snickers chocolate bar. This deal lasted from 1996 to 2000. In 2001, Columbus played without a shirt sponsor. Pepsi sponsored the team from 2002 to 2004. After another gap, Glidden became the sponsor from 2008 to 2010.

In 2012, the Crew announced a new shirt sponsorship with Barbasol. This shaving cream brand is based in Ohio. The deal was worth $900,000 per year for five years. In 2017, Acura became the sponsor. This was the biggest deal in the club's history, worth $1.8 million per year. On February 27, 2020, the Columbus Crew announced a multi-year deal with Nationwide. This Columbus-based insurance company's deal was reported to be over $3 million per year.

There was no jersey sponsor in 2001, 2005–2007 and 2011.

Club Culture

Supporters and Nordecke

The Nordecke, the Columbus Crew's supporter section, displaying a tifo before MLS Cup 2023 at Lower.com Field

Before the 2008 season, the Crew changed their stadium. This made the team's three main supporters' groups come together. These groups were Crew Supporters Union, Hudson Street Hooligans, and La Turbina Amarilla. They formed the Nordecke ( /nɔːrdˈɛkə/). This is German for "north corner." It celebrates the city's German heritage. Since 2006, many fans from the Nordecke travel to support the Crew at away games. This traveling support is known as "NorOnTour."

Team Mascots

Columbus Crew's first mascot was "Crew Cat." He was the team's mascot for almost 20 years. In 2015, "S.C." was introduced as the official mascot. S.C. is the son of Crew Cat. When new owners took over in 2019, the older "Crew Cat" returned. He now attends games alongside S.C.

Team Rivalries

The Nordecke celebrating after Columbus scored a goal against the Chicago Fire in 2013 at Crew Stadium, now Historic Crew Stadium

The Crew has a rivalry with the Chicago Fire. Columbus and Chicago are about a six-hour drive apart. Fans from both teams often travel to watch these games. In 2008, Columbus beat Chicago in the Eastern Conference Championship. In 1998, Chicago beat Columbus in the U.S. Open Cup.

The Crew also plays for two rivalry cups. One is with Toronto FC for the Trillium Cup. This is because the cities are close. The Crew also plays FC Dallas for the Lamar Hunt Pioneer Cup. This trophy was created because Lamar Hunt owned both teams.

FC Cincinnati fans also see the Crew as a rival. The two teams first played in a 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup game. Over 30,000 fans watched. FC Cincinnati won 1–0. When Cincinnati joined MLS, this rivalry became stronger. This derby is called the Hell is Real Derby. It is named after a billboard between Columbus and Cincinnati.

Players and Staff

Current Roster

No. Position Player 1 GK Nicholas Hagen 2 DF Andrés Herrera (on loan from River Plate) 4 DF Rudy Camacho 6 MF Darlington Nagbe (captain; DP) 7 MF Dylan Chambost 8 MF Dániel Gazdag (DP) 10 FW Diego Rossi (DP) 11 MF Ibrahim Aliyu 14 MF Amar Sejdić 16 FW Taha Habroune (HG) 18 DF Malte Amundsen 19 FW Jacen Russell-Rowe (HG) 20 MF Derrick Jones 21 DF Yevhen Cheberko

No. Position Player 22 GK Abraham Romero 23 DF Mohamed Farsi 24 GK Evan Bush 25 MF Sean Zawadzki (HG) 26 MF Lassi Lappalainen 27 FW Maximilian Arfsten 28 GK Patrick Schulte 29 MF Cole Mrowka (HG) 31 DF Steven Moreira 41 GK Stanislav Lapkes (HG) 44 MF Tristan Brown (HG) 48 DF Cesar Ruvalcaba MF Hugo Picard

Team Management

Head Coach History

The Crew has had nine different head coaches since 1996. Timo Liekoski was the first coach. He was replaced by Tom Fitzgerald in 1996. Sigi Schmid coached the team for three seasons (2006–08). Robert Warzycha was head coach twice. He was an interim coach first, then took over after Schmid left. Gregg Berhalter became head coach and sporting director in 2013. After Berhalter left, Columbus hired Caleb Porter in 2019. In 2022, Columbus fired Porter and hired Wilfried Nancy as head coach.

Fitzgerald and Warzycha share the record for most regular season wins (70).

Name	Nationality	Tenure
Timo Liekoski	Finland	December 5, 1995 – August 2, 1996
Tom Fitzgerald	United States	August 2, 1996 – May 17, 2001
Greg Andrulis	United States	May 17, 2001 – July 16, 2005
Robert Warzycha (interim)	Poland	July 16, 2005 – October 20, 2005
Sigi Schmid	Germany	October 20, 2005 – December 16, 2008
Robert Warzycha	Poland	December 23, 2008 – September 2, 2013
Brian Bliss (interim)	United States	September 2, 2013 – November 6, 2013
Gregg Berhalter	United States	November 6, 2013 – December 2, 2018
Caleb Porter	United States	January 4, 2019 – October 10, 2022
Wilfried Nancy	France	December 6, 2022 – present

General Manager History

Name	Nationality	Tenure
Jamey Rootes	United States	1995–2000
Jim Smith	United States	2000–2004
Mark McCullers	United States	2004–2013
Gregg Berhalter	United States	2013–2018
Tim Bezbatchenko	United States	2019–2024
Issa Tall	France	2024–present

Player Development

Columbus Crew 2

On June 21, 2021, Major League Soccer announced a new league. This league would help develop players for MLS clubs. The new league is called MLS Next Pro. The Crew's team in this league is Columbus Crew 2. They play at the Division III level. Most home games are at Historic Crew Stadium. Fans often call Columbus Crew 2 the "Capybaras."

Crew Academy

The Columbus Crew Academy has three non-professional teams: U15, U16, and U18. They also have a pre-academy for younger players. The Crew has signed 20 academy players to their main team. Famous alumni include Wil Trapp, Aidan Morris, Sean Zawadzki, and Taha Habroune. Wil Trapp was the first homegrown player in MLS history to be a captain.

In 2021, the Columbus Crew started The Crew Network. This program helps promote soccer in Ohio. It offers special chances for boys, girls, coaches, and parents. Clubs in the network get support from the Crew. They also get access to the Crew's coaching staff. High-potential players can join the Columbus Crew Academy. There are currently 24 Crew Network clubs in Ohio.

Team Honors

U.S. President Barack Obama welcomed the 2008 MLS Cup Champions the Columbus Crew to the White House on July 13, 2009

Other Awards

• Eastern Conference (playoffs) (4): 2008, 2015, 2020, 2023
• Eastern Conference (regular season) (3): 2004, 2008, 2009
• CONCACAF Champions Cup Fair Play Award: 2024

Team Records

Recent Seasons

This is a list of the last five seasons for the Crew.

Season	League											Position		Playoffs	USOC	Continental / Other		Average attendance	Top goalscorer(s)
	Div	League	Pld	W	L	D	GF	GA	GD	Pts	PPG	Conf.	Overall						Name(s)	Goals
2020	1	MLS	23	12	6	5	36	21	+15	41	1.78	3rd	4th	W	NH	MLS is Back Tournament	Ro16	3,761	Gyasi Zardes	15
2021		MLS	34	13	13	8	46	45	+1	47	1.38	9th	17th	DNQ	NH	CONCACAF Champions League Campeones Cup	QF W	18,990	Lucas Zelarayán	13
2022		MLS	34	10	8	16	46	41	+5	46	1.35	8th	16th	DNQ	NH	DNQ		19,237	Lucas Zelarayán	10
2023		MLS	34	16	9	9	67	46	+21	57	1.68	3rd	3rd	W	Ro16	Leagues Cup	Ro32	20,286	Cucho Hernández	24
2024		MLS	34	19	6	9	72	40	+32	66	1.94	2nd	2nd	Ro16	DNE	CONCACAF Champions Cup Leagues Cup Campeones Cup	RU W RU	20,646	Cucho Hernández	25

1. Avg. attendance includes statistics from league matches only.
2. Top goalscorer(s) includes all goals scored in League, MLS Cup Playoffs, U.S. Open Cup, MLS is Back Tournament, CONCACAF Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, and other competitive continental matches.

Team Captains

Name	Years
Doctor Khumalo	1996
Marcelo Carrera	1997
Thomas Dooley	1998
Thomas Dooley Brian McBride Mike Lapper	1999
Mike Lapper	2000
Mike Clark	2001
Brian McBride Brian Maisonneuve Tom Presthus	2002
Mike Clark	2003
Robin Fraser	2004–2006
Frankie Hejduk	2006–2010
Chad Marshall	2011–2012
Federico Higuaín	2013
Michael Parkhurst	2014–2016
Wil Trapp	2017–2019
Jonathan Mensah	2020–2022
Darlington Nagbe	2023–

Average Attendance

Images for kids

• 

  First logo (1996–2014)

• 

  Second logo (2014–2021)

• 

  Third logo (2021–present)

See also

In Spanish: Columbus Crew para niños