- 2015
- 2020
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Columbus Crew SC Team Formation
On June 15, 1994, Major League Soccer announced that Columbus, Ohio, would be home to one of the ten founding members of the new top-flight North American professional soccer league. Columbus had promised construction of a soccer-specific stadium and had sold over 12,000 season-ticket deposits. The team was tentatively named the Columbus Eclipse in its application to the league, as ... -
COVID Year MLS Champs Columbus Crew SC in 2020
The 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs (branded as the 2020 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for sponsorship reasons) was the 25th edition of the MLS Cup Playoffs, the post-season championship of Major League Soccer (MLS), the top soccer league in the United States and Canada. The tournament culminated the 2020 MLS regular season. The playoffs began on November 20 and concluded with ...
History of the Crew SC
Columbus Crew SC is one of the most successful teams in Major League Soccer (MLS). Founded in 1994, they have since been a model of consistency, winning an MLS Cup title and four Supporters’ Shields. In addition to its on-field success, Columbus Crew SC has also established itself as a leader off the field. They are known for having some of the best fan support in all of MLS, with dedicated supporters groups such as The Nordecke and Hudson Street Hooligans leading chants for every game at MAPFRE Stadium.
The team's history can be traced back to 1996 when they won their first major trophy: The U.S Open Cup Championship against D.C United, which marked the beginning of what would become one of America's greatest soccer dynasties over two decades later. Throughout these years, Columbus has had many great players, from Brian McBride, named MVP during his time there, to Guillermo Barros Schelotto, who led them to win their only MLS cup championship, Federico Higuain whose brother Gonzalo currently plays for Inter Milan, among others.
In 2020 after much speculation about relocation plans that owner Anthony Precourt ultimately canceled due to public outcry, it was announced that new owners Dee Haslam & Jimmy & Dr. Pete Edwards bought out Precourt Sports Ventures, ensuring that Columbus will remain home base forever. This news brought joyous celebrations amongst fans everywhere while providing hope and optimism toward future successes on and off the field - something we're sure this resilient club will achieve soon enough!
Established
1994
City
Columbus
League History
1996 – Present / Major League Soccer
Team History
2015 – Present / Columbus Crew SC
1996 - 2014 / Columbus Crew
Nickname
Columbus Crew SC – There is no shortage of stories and explanations regarding the origins of Columbus Crew SC's nickname. The most popular origin story revolves around the team’s founder Lamar Hunt and his love for sailing. According to legend, Hunt was inspired by a trip on an old wooden schooner in 1974 when he saw crew members working together as one unit, with everyone playing their part. Thus, “The Crew” was born!
Another explanation revolves around Ohio being known as "the Mother of Presidents" because seven U.S presidents were born here: William Henry Harrison (9th), Ulysses S Grant (18th), Rutherford B Hayes (19th), James A Garfield(20th), Benjamin Harrison(23rd ), William McKinley(25 th )and Warren G Harding (29 th). This gave rise to the idea that each president represented a member or section of society, which could be likened to players on a soccer team - thus creating ‘The Crew.'
There are also other theories about how this name came about, including its ties with labor unions in Ohio who would refer to themselves collectively as crews, or even from early settlers who referred to groups they traveled with as crews – alluding back again towards teamwork and camaraderie that makeup such an essential part of sports teams today.
Whichever version you believe, what matters most is not where it originated but why we have chosen The Crew over any other name – because at its core lies something special: unity amongst different individuals striving towards achieving one common goal - winning!
Championship
MLS Cups 1
2020, 2008
Stadium
2016 – Present / Mapfre Stadium
1999 - 2015 / Columbus Crew Stadium
1996 - 1999 / Ohio Stadium
Owner
2018 - Present / Jimmy Haslam, Dee Haslam, Peter H. Edwards Jr., and other investors (Columbus Partnership)
2013 - 2018 / Anthony Precourt (Precourt Sports Ventures LLC)
2006 - 2013 / Clark Hunt
1995 - 2006 / Lamar Hunt
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Retired Number
*Blue is this team’s history