What Happened to Columbus Crew?
The Columbus Crew is a professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio, and one of the ten charter members of Major League Soccer (MLS), founded in 1994. The club has a rich history marked by three MLS Cup victories (2008, 2020, 2023), three Supporters' Shields, a U.S. Open Cup, and a Leagues Cup in 2024. After facing a potential relocation in 2017 that sparked the #SaveTheCrew movement, the team was acquired by the Haslam family and Dr. Pete Edwards, ensuring its future in Columbus and leading to the construction of a new stadium, ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, in 2021.
Quick Answer
The Columbus Crew is an active and successful Major League Soccer club, currently competing in the 2026 season. They have won three MLS Cups (2008, 2020, 2023), three Supporters' Shields, the 2002 U.S. Open Cup, and the 2024 Leagues Cup. The team plays its home games at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, which opened in 2021, and is currently owned by the Haslam family and Dr. Pete Edwards. As of August 2026, the Crew is participating in the Leagues Cup, having recently secured a 3-1 victory against Atlas FC.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Club Founded
The Columbus Crew was officially founded as one of the ten charter clubs of Major League Soccer.
Inaugural MLS Season and First Game
The Crew played its first game in Major League Soccer at Ohio Stadium, winning 4-0 against D.C. United.
Historic Crew Stadium Opens
Columbus Crew Stadium, the first soccer-specific stadium in the United States, opened with a match against the New England Revolution.
Wins U.S. Open Cup
The Columbus Crew secured its first major trophy, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, defeating the LA Galaxy.
Wins First MLS Cup
The Crew won their first MLS Cup championship, marking a significant achievement in club history.
Anthony Precourt Acquires Ownership
Precourt Sports Ventures, LLC, led by Anthony Precourt, acquired the operating rights to the Columbus Crew from Hunt Sports Group.
Relocation Threat and #SaveTheCrew Movement
Owner Anthony Precourt announced plans to potentially relocate the team to Austin, Texas, sparking the widespread #SaveTheCrew fan movement.
New Ownership Group Takes Over
The Haslam family and Dr. Pete Edwards officially took ownership of the club, ensuring its future in Columbus and announcing plans for a new stadium.
Wins Second MLS Cup
The Columbus Crew won their second MLS Cup title, continuing their success under the new ownership.
ScottsMiracle-Gro Field Opens
The club moved into its new home, ScottsMiracle-Gro Field (originally Lower.com Field), a modern soccer-specific stadium in downtown Columbus.
Wins Third MLS Cup
The Columbus Crew clinched their third MLS Cup championship, defeating Los Angeles FC.
Wins Leagues Cup
The Crew added another trophy to their cabinet by winning the Leagues Cup.
Brais Méndez Acquired as Designated Player
The Columbus Crew signed Spanish midfielder Brais Méndez as a Designated Player from Real Sociedad.
Eric Bailly Joins Columbus Crew
Former Manchester United defender Eric Bailly joined the Columbus Crew, signing a contract until June 2027.
Kicks Off Leagues Cup 2026 with a Win
The Columbus Crew began their 2026 Leagues Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory against Atlas FC at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Columbus Crew was established on June 15, 1994, as one of the original ten franchises in Major League Soccer, beginning play in 1996. Initially playing at Ohio Stadium, the club made history on May 15, 1999, by opening Columbus Crew Stadium (later Historic Crew Stadium), the first soccer-specific stadium built for an MLS team in the United States, a move that set a precedent for the league. The Crew secured its first major trophy, the U.S. Open Cup, in 2002, followed by Supporters' Shields in 2004, 2008, and 2009. Their inaugural MLS Cup championship came in 2008, a significant milestone for the club.
A pivotal period for the club began in 2013 when Anthony Precourt acquired ownership from the Hunt Sports Group. In 2017, Precourt announced intentions to relocate the franchise to Austin, Texas, citing the need for a new downtown stadium. This announcement ignited a widespread fan movement known as #SaveTheCrew, which garnered national attention and support from the soccer community, local businesses, and politicians. The movement successfully pressured MLS to keep the team in Columbus, leading to a new ownership group taking control on January 1, 2019. This group is led by the Haslam family, who also own the NFL's Cleveland Browns, and longtime team physician Dr. Pete Edwards.
Under the new ownership, the Crew experienced a resurgence, winning their second MLS Cup in 2020. This era also saw the construction and opening of a new state-of-the-art facility, ScottsMiracle-Gro Field (originally Lower.com Field), in 2021, further solidifying the team's presence in Columbus. The club continued its success, clinching its third MLS Cup title in 2023 and the Leagues Cup in 2024.
As of August 2026, the Columbus Crew remains a prominent force in MLS. The team is currently under the leadership of head coach Henrik Rydström for the 2026 season. Recent player acquisitions in 2026 include defender Eric Bailly and midfielder Brais Méndez, with Gonzalo Tapia joining on loan. The Crew also transferred Max Arfsten to Middlesbrough in August 2026. The team kicked off its 2026 Leagues Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Atlas FC on August 5, 2026, at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. Their MLS performance as of July 19, 2026, stands at 4 wins, 7 losses, and 4 ties, placing them tenth in the Eastern Conference.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Columbus Crew made different choices?