Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew is an MLS club in Columbus, Ohio, operated by Haslam Sports Group and the Edwards family. Its home is ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.
Contents15 sections
Key facts
1994–1996Formation and First Match
Columbus was awarded an MLS team on June 15, 1994. Lamar Hunt helped found and operate the Crew, which became one of the league’s original clubs.[1]
The Crew played their first MLS match at Ohio Stadium on April 13, 1996, defeating D.C. UnitedD.C. UnitedD.C. United is a professional soccer club in Washington, D.C., competing in MLS at Audi Field. An original member of the league in 1996, it won MLS Cup in 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2004.Open the full entry 4–0. Brian McBride emerged as one of the club’s foundational players.[2]
May 1999A Soccer-Specific Stadium Opens
Columbus Crew Stadium, developed under Lamar Hunt, opened on May 15, 1999, with a 2–0 win over New England.[2]
2002–2009Open Cup, MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shields
The Crew won the U.S. Open Cup in 2002 and the MLS Supporters’ Shield in 2004, 2008 and 2009.[3]
On November 23, 2008, Columbus defeated the New York Red Bulls 3–1 in the MLS Cup final to claim its first league championship.[2]
July 2013Precourt Takes Over
Precourt Sports Ventures acquired the club from the Hunt family on July 30, 2013.[2]
December 2018–2019Remaining in Columbus
Owner Anthony Precourt’s proposed move to Austin prompted the Save the Crew campaign. On December 28, 2018, MLS announced an agreement in principle for the Haslam and Edwards families to take over operations in January 2019.[4][5]
The Crew remained in Columbus, while Precourt received a separate Austin expansion team that later began play as Austin FCAustin FCAustin FC is a professional soccer club in Austin, Texas, competing in MLS at Q2 Stadium.Open the full entry.[4][5]
2020A Second MLS Cup
The Crew won their second MLS Cup in 2020.[6]
May 2021Restoring the Crew Name
The club’s May 10, 2021, rebrand to Columbus SC drew supporter opposition. On May 17, the club and the Nordecke supporter group announced that Columbus Crew would remain the official name, with Crew and 96 incorporated into the revised crest.[4]
July 2021Moving to a Downtown Stadium
The club’s new stadium in downtown Columbus’s Astor Park opened in July 2021 under the name Lower.com Field.[7]
December 2023A Third MLS Cup
On December 9, 2023, the Crew beat LAFCLos Angeles Football ClubLos Angeles Football Club (LAFC) are a Major League Soccer club whose regular home is BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. The club won its first MLS Cup in 2022.Open the full entry 2–1 at Lower.com Field to win their third MLS Cup in Wilfried Nancy’s first season as head coach.[6]
2024Continental Final and Leagues Cup Title
In June 2024, the Crew reached their first Concacaf Champions Cup final. On August 25, they won Leagues Cup by defeating LAFC 3–1 at home.[6]
November 2025A New Stadium Name
On November 25, 2025, the Crew announced an expanded partnership with ScottsMiracle-Gro. Their downtown home became ScottsMiracle-Gro Field beginning with the 2026 season.[3]
December 2025–May 2026Coaching Changes
Henrik Rydström became the Crew’s ninth full-time head coach on December 31, 2025. In May 2026, after 13 points from the first 14 league matches, the club dismissed him and appointed Laurent Courtois as interim head coach.[8]
September 2026Reaching the U.S. Open Cup Final
In September 2026, Columbus defeated Orlando City 2–1 in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals. The final was scheduled for October 21 in Columbus against St. Louis CITY.[9]
Related Organizations, Websites, and Public Accounts
Columbus Crew: Official website: https://www.columbuscrew.com/ (opens in a new window).[10]
Sources
- Lamar Hunt: Crew Founder & Namesake of the U.S. Open Cup | Columbus Crew (opens in a new window)
- Sirk's Notebook: Top 20 Moments Edition | Columbus Crew (opens in a new window)
- Columbus Crew and ScottsMiracle-Gro expand long-standing partnership, highlighted by stadium naming rights | Columbus Crew (opens in a new window)
- Columbus abandons rebrand, restores Crew nickname (opens in a new window)
- Agreement reached for Haslam, Edwards families to operate Columbus Crew SC (opens in a new window)
- Columbus Crew visit White House in honor of 2023 MLS Cup championship | Columbus Crew (opens in a new window)
- Stadium | Columbus Crew (opens in a new window)
- Columbus Crew relieve Henrik Rydström of head coaching duties | Columbus Crew (opens in a new window)
- St. Louis CITY cruise past Colorado Rapids to US Open Cup final | MLSSoccer.com (opens in a new window)
- Columbus Crew (opens in a new window)