Columbus Crew: An Original MLS Powerhouse

Columbus Crew: An Original MLS Powerhouse

Founded in 1994 as one of the ten charter members of Major League Soccer, the Columbus Crew is one of the league’s most historic and successful clubs. The team began play in 1996, making it among the true originals of MLS. Nicknamed the “Crew,” the club has built a reputation for passionate fans, strong player development, and resilience both on and off the field.

The Crew were trailblazers in U.S. soccer history: in 1999, they opened Crew Stadium (later MAPFRE Stadium), the first soccer-specific stadium in MLS. On the field, Columbus has been highly successful, winning the MLS Cup in 2008, 2020, and 2023, along with multiple Supporters’ Shields (2004, 2008, 2009).

In 2017, the club faced the threat of relocation to Austin, Texas, but a massive fan-led campaign called #SaveTheCrew rallied national support and ultimately kept the team in Columbus. This grassroots effort remains one of the most important fan movements in American sports history.

Trivia: Columbus Crew won the inaugural MLS game in 1996, defeating D.C. United 4–0.

Rivalries

The Crew’s biggest rivalry is with FC Cincinnati, in the “Hell is Real Derby.” The name comes from a large religious billboard located on Interstate 71, which connects Columbus and Cincinnati. Matches are fiercely contested and have quickly become some of the most high-profile fixtures in MLS.

Columbus also has a historic rivalry with the Chicago Fire, dating back to MLS’s early days. The two Midwestern clubs have played in countless meaningful matches, including playoff encounters. Games against Toronto FC in the “Trillium Cup” rivalry also carry significance, as both teams battle for bragging rights across the Ohio-Canada border.

Trivia: Columbus defeated FC Cincinnati 3–0 in the 2023 Eastern Conference Final, one of the most high-stakes “Hell is Real” games yet.

Columbus Crew: Ownership

The Crew are owned by the Haslam Sports Group, led by Jimmy and Dee Haslam, who also own the NFL’s Cleveland Browns. They partnered with Pete Edwards Jr., a local doctor and long-time team physician, to purchase the club in 2018 after the relocation scare. Their commitment ensured the Crew’s survival in Columbus and funded the building of a new downtown stadium.

The Haslam family has invested heavily in strengthening the team on and off the field, bringing in experienced executives and expanding the club’s youth academy to secure a long-term future. Their ownership is widely seen as the beginning of a new era for the Crew.

Trivia: The Crew’s rescue from relocation is often compared to “Green Bay Packers–style” community loyalty, cementing Columbus’s status as a soccer town.

Watch Columbus Crew

The Crew play at Lower.com Field, which opened in 2021 in Columbus’s Arena District. The $314 million stadium seats 20,000 fans and features modern amenities, a safe-standing supporters’ section, and a roof canopy designed to amplify crowd noise.

Lower.com Field is considered one of the premier venues in MLS, providing an intimate but electric environment. It also symbolizes the new era of Crew soccer, replacing historic MAPFRE Stadium while keeping the club downtown. The Nordecke, the Crew’s famous supporters’ section, drives the atmosphere with chants, drums, and tifos.

Trivia: Before Lower.com Field, Crew Stadium hosted multiple U.S. Men’s National Team matches, including the iconic “Dos a Cero” World Cup qualifying wins against Mexico.

Columbus Crew: This Season

In the 2025 season, the Crew are looking to defend their 2023 MLS Cup title. Head coach Wilfried Nancy, hired in late 2022 from CF Montréal, has become one of the most respected tactical minds in the league. His possession-based, attacking style of play transformed Columbus into champions in just his first season in charge.

Star midfielder Darlington Nagbe, a veteran with multiple MLS Cups, anchors the midfield, while Cucho Hernández and Diego Rossi provide firepower in the attack. The Crew’s mix of youth development and international talent has made them one of the most entertaining and balanced squads in MLS.

Trivia: The Crew’s 2023 MLS Cup Final win was held at Lower.com Field, making them just the second MLS team ever to win a championship in their brand-new stadium.

Columbus Crew: What to Follow

Looking ahead, the Crew’s main challenge is to maintain dominance in a competitive Eastern Conference. Can Wilfried Nancy’s system keep them at the top, and will their stars remain in Columbus or attract offers abroad? Their growing rivalry with FC Cincinnati ensures national attention, and their stadium’s location in the city’s heart has energized the fan base like never before.

Beyond the pitch, the Crew’s academy is producing promising talent, and their emphasis on youth could help them stay competitive for years. With passionate fans, committed ownership, and a recent championship, Columbus Crew have solidified themselves as not just MLS originals, but one of the league’s premier clubs.

Trivia: The Crew’s nickname, “The Black & Gold,” reflects their traditional color scheme, one of the most iconic in MLS.