Club Overview

The Columbus Crew is a professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio that participates in Major League Soccer. The club was owned by Lamar Hunt, who also owned the Kansas City Chiefs and FC Dallas until his 2006 death, upon which his son, Clark, took over his sports properties. The Crew currently play their home games at Columbus Crew Stadium, the first MLS soccer-specific stadium. From 1996–1999, the Crew played their home games at Ohio Stadium on the campus of Ohio State University. The name "The Crew" is the result of a local fan contest. The team colors are black and gold. The team mascot is Crew Cat.

Club History

The Columbus Crew are a charter member of Major League Soccer. The club played its home matches in Ohio Stadium from its inaugural year in 1996 through 1998. Beginning in 1999, the Crew played all of its home league matches in the newly built Columbus Crew Stadium, the first soccer specific stadium for a top flight club in the United States.

The Crew won its first trophy in 2002, capturing the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, which in turn earned the club a berth in the 2003 CONCACAF Champions Cup. In 2004, the Crew won the Supporters' Shield for earning the most points during the MLS regular season.

Club Rivalries

The Crew compete with Toronto FC for the "Trillium Cup" each year starting in 2008. This new cup however is not without passion, with the two fan bases becoming increasingly competitive with one another. The Opening game of the 2008 MLS season was TFC visiting Columbus with over 2000 TFC fans making a trip down to see the game. In light of this and the new Traveling trophy the Mayors of Columbus and Toronto made a bet that should their team win they would wear the others jersey at their next public appearance; Columbus won the match 2-0. Columbus currently lead the all-time series 3-0-2.

Columbus also has a rivalry with geographic neighbors, the Chicago Fire. The Fire's supporters group Section 8 often bring a sizable away support to matches in Columbus for matches and there have been hostilities between the two teams supporters groups.

Columbus supporters also look forward to matches with fellow charter member of the MLS DC United. In the early years of the MLS, DC United were the most successful clubs of the league, but from the very beginning, the Crew and United have had hotly contested matches filled with controversy.

Stars of the Current Squad

Former Boca Juniors legend Guillermo Barros Schelotto signed a two year contract with the Columbus Crew in 2007 and has quickly become a leader on the club. In 40 appearances for the Crew Schelotto has scored 9 goals and had 11 assists in his first season.

Youngster Robbie Rogers has also developed as a rising star in the MLS. The former Maryland Terrapin was signed by Dutch side Heerenveen, but never made it into the first team. Rogers returned to America and was drafted by the Crew. In 2007, Rogers made 10 appearances and scored 3 goals. Rogers got off to a quick start in 2008, already scoring 5 goals. The forward/winger has also made the US Men's Olympic team.

Club Legends

Brian McBride, Brad Friedel, Edson Buddle, Jon Busch, Kyle Martino, Jeff Cunningham, Thomas Dooley, Mark Dougherty, Ansil Encock, Luis Miguel Gallardo, Marco Gonzalez, Fredy Garcia, Mario Rodriguez, John Harkes, Stern John, Doctor Khumalo, Brian Masionneuve, Robert Warzycha

Most Appearances

Mike Clark, 221

Most Goals

Brian McBride and Jeff Cunnigham 62

Player Recognition & Awards

Team Honours

League

• MLS Supporters' Shield:

Winner (1): 2004

Cups

• US Open Cup:

Winner (1): 2002
Runner-up (1): 1998 Invitational

• Carolina Challenge Cup (pre-season): 2004

Club Management

Uniforms

Stadium

As a charter franchise in the MLS, the Columbus Crew commenced play at Ohio Stadium in MLS's inaugural season of 1996. As it is principally an American football stadium, the facility was never popular with the team or its fans. When renovations to the American football stadium forced the Crew out, their owner, oil billionaire Lamar Hunt, decided to build the team its own dedicated home. Thus, Crew Stadium was born — purpose-built for the Columbus Crew in the winter of 1998-99. The construction cost of $28.5 million was covered entirely with private funds from Mr. Hunt and his Hunt Sports group.

The stadium seats approximately 22,500 (with room to expand to 30,000 total seats) and is located on the grounds of the Ohio Expo Center and State Fairgrounds. Crew stadium opened May 15, 1999 with a match between the home side and the New England Revolution. It is the second soccer-specific stadium in the United States (the USL First Division's Charleston Battery opened its soccer-specific stadium, Blackbaud Stadium, on April 24, 1999) but the first in Major League Soccer (including a FIFA regulation 115yd x 75yd pitch), and has been credited with inspiring the wave of construction of so called soccer-specific stadiums throughout the league.

Sponsors

The Crew announced Glidden, an ICI Paints brand, as their presenting partner. Beginning in 2008, its logo will appear on the front of Crew game jerseys, training jerseys, and on other various team-related material.

Important Links

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References