Columbus Crew

[BellevueBuckeye]

The Crew made it the MLS Cup (and lost) last year

This year they have started off slow, with a record of 2-2-3

[BellevueBuckeye]

Final record was 8-14-12

[BellevueBuckeye]

The Crew have clinched a playoff spot

[DrTorch]

the Crew are TOAST

[ScarletFever]

All 8 of their fans are livid

[Deleted]

Very odd timing on announcing you are looking to move your franchise

[galion]

That's funny. Don't they already have the only soccer specific venue in the country? Did I miss something? When did the MLS cease being the AA league for soccer? They should just be happy that they aren't playing at a high school field in Dublin.

[Deleted]

Oct 19, 2017 6:09:21 GMT -5 galion said:

That's funny. Don't they already have the only soccer specific venue in the country? Did I miss something? When did the MLS cease being the AA league for soccer? They should just be happy that they aren't playing at a high school field in Dublin.

Actually most of the franchises have soccer specific stadiums, so yes you missed a lot

[BellevueBuckeye]

Its looking like Precourt bought the team in 2013 with the intent of eventually moving it to Austin, and is set on moving it regardless of what happens. The following points seem to be the consensus that most die hard Crew fans believe is going on with this situation:

- The agreement when Precourt purchased the team said he could not move it for at least 10 years, but there was an exception clause that allowed a move to Austin.
- He has reportedly turned down offers by local businessmen who want to buy the team and keep it in Columbus
- This is the first time he's made any big push for a downtown stadium and it looks like it's something he knows will fail. He doesn't actually want a new stadium in Columbus, he wants to be able to say "you wouldn't give me a new stadium, so I'm leaving"
- This announcement was made soon after the deadline for 2018 season tickets, which is both a money grab and a way to **** off the fan base even more
- Announcing this right before the playoffs start seems like a ploy to sabotage the team with a big distraction. Wouldn't want any chance of a deep playoff run or championship giving the fans and city something to rally around in their efforts to save the team.

Oct 19, 2017 6:09:21 GMT -5 galion said:

Don't they already have the only soccer specific venue in the country? Did I miss something?

It was the first soccer specific venue....in 1999. Since then there have bee 14 more built and 3 more are under construction.

[DrTorch]

I'm kind of bummed, not so much as a sports fan but as a fan of my community...that stadium is right near me and i can sit in my backyard and listen to Rock on the Range

now it's just gonna be more Urban Blight (and i'm not referring to the kind of Urban Blight brought on by Urban Meyer continually starting JT Barrett) on 71, another dead stadium to go along with The Coop

The Columbus Crew was MLS's very 1st franchise, bought by Lamar Hunt. Now ain't that a B.

[BellevueBuckeye]

Crew finish the regular season 16-12-6 and are the #5 seed in the East.

They will travel to #4 seed Atlanta United for a first round playoff game on either Wednesday or Thursday.

[BellevueBuckeye]

The game tonight went to a penalty kick shootout after 120 scoreless minutes, with the Crew prevailing 3-1 over the expansion Atlanta United, who set a new MLS record for attendance at a playoff game at 67,221

Columbus moves on to the conference semifinals, which are played in a home and home goal aggregate format. The Crew host New York City FC on 10/31 and travel to Yankee Stadium on 11/5.

[Deleted]

Oct 26, 2017 21:30:25 GMT -5 BellevueBuckeye said:

The game tonight went to a penalty kick shootout after 120 scoreless minutes, with the Crew prevailing 3-1 over the expansion Atlanta United, who set a new MLS record for attendance at a playoff game at 67,221

Columbus moves on to the conference semifinals, which are played in a home and home goal aggregate format. The Crew host New York City FC on 10/31 and travel to Yankee Stadium on 11/5.

Their young goal keeper Steffen balled out last night. If he continues to play like that watch out. Really interested to see what the crowd is like on Halloween

[DrTorch]

how in world did an Atlanta team draw 67K? that is pretty impressive

[DrTorch]

the Crew loss will really hurt us in 25 years when the NFL is a bloated corpse and more kids are playing soccer, i think Soccer's time is coming...

[Deleted]

Oct 27, 2017 9:09:56 GMT -5 DrTorch said:

how in world did an Atlanta team draw 67K? that is pretty impressive

they've averaged that ever game since the opening of Merceds-Benz Stadium

[BellevueBuckeye]

Crew take the first leg against NYCFC 4-1

[BellevueBuckeye]

NYCFC takes the 2nd leg 2-0, but the Crew advance on aggregate 4-3.

Columbus will play Toronto in the Eastern Conference finals, which is another home and home goal aggregate series.

[BellevueBuckeye]

The season has ended tonight in Canada, as Toronto FC has defeated the Crew 1-0 on aggregate. Toronto will be making their second straight MLS cup appearance.

[thatheroclixguy]

Right now, I'm hoping for three things:
1. Crew stays in Columbus for at least one more year
2. Ibrahimovic stays with the Galaxy
3. LA plays in Columbus next year.

[BellevueBuckeye]

It appears that the Crew just might be saved....by the Browns

Jimmy and Dee Haslam are part of a group that is reportedly negotiating to buy the team and keep it in Columbus

[BellevueBuckeye]

Not a done deal, but certainly seems to be moving in the right direction:

[DrTorch]

i've heard it is done save for the announcement, 97.1 was celebrating yesterday

[BellevueBuckeye]

The Crew clinched a playoff spot today on the last day of the season, which MLS calls "Decision Day."

All the games in the league are played at the same time, but an hour long weather delay in Columbus gave the Crew the unusual advantage of knowing all the other final scores when their game was only at halftime. Montreal's loss clinched a playoff spot for the Crew, who knew their result would simply determine their playoff seed/opponent and was no longer a must win....though they won anyway 3-2 over Minnesota.

The Crew's final regular season record is 14-11-9, and they will play at D.C. United in the knockout round on either Wednesday or Thursday.

This is the 15th time the Crew have made the playoffs in 23 seasons.

[BellevueBuckeye]

For the 2nd straight year, the Crew have won a knockout playoff game in a penalty shootout against a team named the United who were playing their first playoff game in a brand new stadium.

It was an interesting shootout, affected by the wind. Several times players had to reset the ball after it blew off the spot, and at one point the ball started to move right before a Crew player kicked it, costing what would have been the game sealing PK. But right after that the next DC player bombed his kick over the crossbar, sealing the game for Columbus (2-2 tie, 3-2 on PK's)

Next up is the home and home goal aggregate conference semis. Columbus will host the New York Red Bulls on Sunday 11/4 and travel to New Jersey on 11/11.

[BellevueBuckeye]

Columbus wins the first leg 1-0 over RBNY

[BellevueBuckeye]

NYRB won the 2nd leg 3-0, and advances 3-1 on aggregate.

Nice season Crew....now just gotta get it finalized that this wasn't the last one.

[Keith]

Sept 28, 2018 23:27:50 GMT -5 thatheroclixguy said:

Right now, I'm hoping for three things:
1. Crew stays in Columbus for at least one more year
2. Ibrahimovic stays with the Galaxy
3. LA plays in Columbus next year.

All indications are that Zlatan is staying with the Galaxy.  Who coaches them is yet to be decided.  I'm hoping Ashley Cole decides to stay as well.  I asked him to when I met him at Galaxy Oktoberfest.   btw...2019 will be my sixth season as a Galaxy STM.    Congrats to the Crew on their success this year.  So happy to see Gyasi do well.

[BellevueBuckeye]

www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/12/28/agreement-reached-haslam-edwards-families-operate-columbus-crew-sc

Major League Soccer announced on Friday that an agreement in principle has been reached with the Haslam and Edwards families to become MLS owners and take over operating rights of Columbus Crew SC beginning in January 2019.

The Haslam family, owners of the NFL's Cleveland Browns, and the Columbus-based Edwards family first emerged as prospective MLS owners in October. Precourt Sports Ventures held Crew SC's operating rights after acquiring them in July 2013 from the Hunt family, who launched the club in 1996.

“After several months of discussions, we are extremely pleased to have reached an agreement in principle with the Haslam and Edwards families for them to assume an ownership position in Major League Soccer and operate Columbus Crew SC starting in January, 2019," MLS Commissioner Don Garber said in a league statement.

"While we work to finalize the deal promptly, we want to state publicly the tremendous collaboration and community support for Crew SC, which has set the stage for a powerful plan that includes a world-class soccer stadium – a critical step that will help ensure the club’s success on and off the field," Garber continued.

"We appreciate all the diligent work from the Haslam and Edwards families, the leadership from the Columbus Partnership, the City of Columbus, Franklin County and the State of Ohio, Precourt Sports Ventures, and all of those who have contributed over the past several months to create the elements that will solidify Crew SC’s long-term future as an integral part of the Columbus sports scene.”

The announcement comes on the heels of December approvals by state and city officials of a public-private partnership to construct a new downtown soccer stadium for Crew SC.

The Haslam and Edwards families have also collaborated in the search for new soccer operations leadership after Gregg Berhalter departed to take over the U.S. men's national team on December 3.

“When we began exploring the possibility of keeping Crew SC in Columbus, the process started with an appreciation for the benefits a professional sports franchise brings to a region. We quickly began positive discussions with Major League Soccer - the League Office and many of the League’s owners," read a joint statement by Dee Haslam, Jimmy Haslam and Pete Edwards.

“We are extremely grateful for the efforts of the Columbus community, as well as Crew SC fans, to help us efficiently complete and fulfill the requirements and deadlines set by Major League Soccer that will help ensure the success of Crew SC on and off the field," the joint family statement continued.

“Throughout our conversations, it’s been overwhelmingly clear that Crew SC belongs in Columbus, and we are thrilled to have reached an agreement in principle to assume an ownership position in Major League Soccer and to operate Columbus Crew SC. As the stewards of Crew SC, we will always be focused on building a championship caliber team that makes the city proud, creating dynamic and memorable fan experiences and deeply engaging the community to make a positive impact.”

Also on Friday, the City of Columbus and the state of Ohio filed a notice with the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas to dismiss their joint lawsuit against Major League Soccer and Precourt Sports Ventures.

“We are pleased with the lawsuit dismissal and the outcome that will ensure Major League Soccer teams in both Austin and Columbus," said Anthony Precourt, CEO of Precourt Sports Ventures in a statement. "This elegant solution is the culmination of many months of hard work from Commissioner Garber, the Haslam and Edwards’ families, the local Columbus community, and Precourt Sports Ventures.

"We are happy for the people of Columbus and Crew SC supporters, who helped rally local government and business leaders to keep Crew SC in Columbus. We are proud to have built a strong club which is in position to be successfully transitioned to new operators in 2019.”

[Green Falcon]

I can continue to be a soccer hooligan, praise be!