The Columbus Crew, a professional soccer club in Columbus, Ohio, is a founding member of Major League Soccer (MLS) and has been playing since 1996. The team, currently owned by the Haslam family and former team physician Pete Edwards, competes in the Eastern Conference. This marks the third ownership group in the club's history.
June 15, 1994: Columbus Awarded MLS Franchise
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.
1994: Columbus Awarded MLS Franchise
On June 15, 1994, Major League Soccer announced Columbus, Ohio as the home of one of its ten founding members.
April 13, 1996: The Crew's First Game
On April 13, 1996, The Crew played their first game in front of a home crowd of 25,266 in Ohio Stadium against D.C. United and won 4-0.
1996: Fitzgerald Replaces Liekoski as Head Coach
After a 6-16 start in 1996, Tom Fitzgerald replaced Timo Liekoski as the Columbus Crew's head coach. Fitzgerald would coach 161 of the Crew's first 183 MLS matches over parts of six seasons between 1996 and 2001.
1996: Brian Bliss Joins the Columbus Crew
Brian Bliss joined the Columbus Crew in 1996 as a player, marking the start of his long tenure with the club.
1996: The Crew at Ohio Stadium
From 1996 to 1998, the Columbus Crew played their home games at Ohio Stadium on the campus of The Ohio State University.
1996: First Head Coach
In 1996, Timo Liekoski became the first head coach of Columbus Crew, though he was replaced midseason by Tom Fitzgerald due to a poor start.
1996: Columbus Crew Introduces Unique Club Badge
In 1996, the Columbus Crew introduced a distinctive club badge featuring three silhouetted figures wearing construction hats beneath a stylized "Crew" wordmark. The badge aimed to reflect the city's hard-working, blue-collar image.
1996: Columbus Crew's Inaugural Season
In 1996, the Columbus Crew joined Major League Soccer (MLS) as one of the league's ten founding members.
1996: Modell Law Passed
In 1996, the Modell Law was passed to prevent sports teams that benefited from public facilities or financial assistance from relocating to another city without a six-month notice and attempting to sell the team to a local ownership group.
1996: Lamar Hunt Acquires Crew and Wizards
MLS investor Lamar Hunt and his son Clark became the owners of both the Columbus Crew and Kansas City Wizards in 1996.
1996: Crew Founding
The Columbus Crew was founded in 1996.
1996: Snickers Shirt Sponsor Deal
The team's first shirt sponsor was Mars' Snickers chocolate bar, which signed a five-year deal that ran from 1996 to 2000.
1997: Third Place in the Eastern Conference
The Columbus Crew finished 15-17 in 1997, which put them in third place in the Eastern Conference.
1998: Fourth Place in the Eastern Conference and U.S. Open Cup Final
The Columbus Crew finished 15-17 in 1998, which put them in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. They also reached the U.S. Open Cup Final that year.
1998: The Crew at Ohio Stadium
From 1996 to 1998, the Columbus Crew played their home games at Ohio Stadium on the campus of The Ohio State University.
1998: Fire Defeat Crew in U.S. Open Cup
In 1998, Chicago defeated Columbus for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
May 15, 1999: Crew Stadium Opens
On May 15, 1999, the Crew opened Columbus Crew Stadium, the first soccer-specific stadium in Major League Soccer. The stadium was a model for the rest of the league and was used by the United States national team in World Cup qualifying.
August 18, 1999: Doughtery Reaches 50 Wins
On August 18, 1999, goalkeeper Mark Dougherty became the first goalkeeper in league history to record 50 wins, with a 4–2 win over the MetroStars at Giants Stadium.
1999: Historic Crew Stadium Opens
The Columbus Crew played their home games at Historic Crew Stadium, the first soccer-specific stadium built for an MLS team, from 1999 to 2021.
2000: Columbus Crew Hosts MLS All-Star Game
The Columbus Crew hosted the 2000 MLS All-Star game.
2000: End of Snickers Shirt Sponsor Deal
The Snickers shirt sponsor deal ended in 2000 after a five-year run.
2001: Andrulis Replaces Fitzgerald
After a slow start to the 2001 season, Greg Andrulis replaced Tom Fitzgerald as the Columbus Crew's head coach.
2001: No Jersey Sponsor
The Crew did not have a jersey sponsor in 2001.
2002: Pepsi Shirt Sponsor Deal
Pepsi became the team's shirt sponsor from 2002 to 2004.
2002: First U.S. Open Cup Title
The Columbus Crew won their first U.S. Open Cup in 2002.
2002: First U.S. Open Cup Title
The Columbus Crew won their first championship in team history in 2002 when they defeated the LA Galaxy 1-0 in the U.S. Open Cup Final.
2003: McBride Joins Fulham
Brian McBride played his final season with the Columbus Crew in 2003 before joining Fulham of the Premier League.
2004: End of Pepsi Shirt Sponsor Deal
The Pepsi shirt sponsor deal ended in 2004.
2004: Fraser Wins Defender of the Year, Crew Sets Franchise Record
Robin Fraser won the Defender of the Year award in 2004. The Crew also set a franchise record for points with 49, thanks in part to an 18-game (8–0–10) unbeaten streak to end the season.
2004: First Supporters' Shield Title
The Columbus Crew won their first Supporters' Shield in 2004.
2004: Andrulis Wins Coach of the Year
Greg Andrulis won the MLS Coach of the Year Award in 2004.
2005: Warzycha Replaces Andrulis
Despite winning the MLS Coach of the Year Award in 2004, Greg Andrulis was replaced on an interim basis by Robert Warzycha midway through the 2005 season.
2005: Games at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium
In 2005, the Crew played U.S. Open Cup games at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
2005: No Jersey Sponsor
The Crew did not have a jersey sponsor in 2005.
December 14, 2006: Lamar Hunt Passes Away
Columbus Crew founder and owner Lamar Hunt died on December 14, 2006.
2006: Nordecke Away Support
In 2006 a large contingency of fans from the Nordecke began traveling together to support the Crew during their away campaigns.
2006: Sigi Schmid's Tenure Begins
In 2006, Sigi Schmid began his three-season tenure as the head coach of Columbus Crew.
April 19, 2007: Guillermo Barros Schelotto Signs with the Crew
On April 19, 2007, in a move that echoed the LA Galaxy's signing of David Beckham, the Columbus Crew signed Guillermo Barros Schelotto. The team also added forward Alejandro Moreno to strengthen their attack.
2007: No Jersey Sponsor
The Crew did not have a jersey sponsor in 2007.
2008: First MLS Cup and Second Supporters' Shield
The Columbus Crew won their first MLS Cup and second Supporters' Shield in 2008.
2008: Columbus Crew Secures Historic Treble
The Columbus Crew achieved a historic treble in 2008, securing the Eastern Conference title, the MLS Cup, and their second Supporters' Shield. Barros Schelotto led the charge with an MVP season, scoring seven goals and providing 19 assists. The team's dominant performance extended to the playoffs, where they triumphed over Kansas City, Chicago Fire, and ultimately defeated the New York Red Bulls 3-1 in the final. The Crew's success was further highlighted by Chad Marshall's MLS Defender of the Year award and Sigi Schmid's Coach of the Year accolade.
2008: Crew Defeat Fire in Eastern Conference Championship
In the 2008 season, Columbus defeated Chicago in the Eastern Conference Championship match.
2008: MLS Commissioner Addresses Columbus Crew's Ownership Challenges
In 2008, during the annual state of the league conference, MLS Commissioner Don Garber discussed the challenges faced in the Columbus market regarding team ownership. He revealed difficulties in finding local ownership and mentioned an unsuccessful attempt to sell the team at a low value when the league aimed to end multiple-franchise ownership. Garber acknowledged the possibility of the Columbus Crew ceasing operations had Anthony Precourt not acquired the club.
2008: Glidden Shirt Sponsor Deal
Glidden became the shirt sponsor in 2008 with a deal that ran through 2010.
2008: Columbus Crew SC Reaches Second MLS Cup Final
Crew SC's journey in the 2015 playoffs began with a first-round bye after securing second place in the Eastern Conference. They navigated through the Eastern Conference semi-final and final matches, ultimately earning a spot in the 2015 MLS Cup Final against the Portland Timbers. This marked the club's second appearance in the MLS Cup Final since their championship win in 2008. Despite their efforts, the Crew faced a 2-1 defeat against the Portland Timbers on their home turf. All three goals were scored in the first half, with Kei Kamara netting the lone goal for Columbus.
2008: Nordecke Supporters Group Forms
Before the 2008 season, the Columbus Crew front office demolished the north stands where the most ardent of Crew supporters stood. This forced the three groups to come together, forming one large block of vocal supporters called the Nordecke.
2008: Sigi Schmid Departs Columbus Amidst Controversy
After leading the Crew to a historic treble in 2008, Sigi Schmid declined a contract offer from Columbus and became coach of Seattle Sounders FC. The Crew's ownership alleged that Schmid had engaged in discussions with the Sounders without proper authorization and that he had shared confidential information with Seattle after his contract had expired. Although Major League Soccer found no evidence of tampering, Seattle was ordered to provide financial compensation to the Crew.
2009: Barros Schelotto Becomes Crew's First Designated Player
In 2009, Guillermo Barros Schelotto was named the Columbus Crew's first Designated Player. The team achieved a commendable 13-7-10 record in the regular season, earning 49 points and their second consecutive Supporters' Shield. However, their playoff run ended in the Eastern Conference semi-finals with a 4-2 aggregate loss to Real Salt Lake. Chad Marshall's exceptional defending earned him his second consecutive MLS Defender of the Year award.
2009: "NorOnTour"
In late 2009, the term "NorOnTour" grew popular on social networking, to describe the frequent fan traveling support.
2009: Third Supporters' Shield Title
The Columbus Crew won their third Supporters' Shield in 2009.
2010: "NorOnTour"
In early 2010, the term "NorOnTour" grew popular on social networking, to describe the frequent fan traveling support.
2010: Columbus Crew's Mixed Fortunes in 2010
The Columbus Crew commenced their 2010 campaign in the CONCACAF Champions League, advancing to the quarterfinals before suffering a defeat against Toluca in March. Despite a respectable 14-8-8 record in the MLS regular season, the team was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the MLS Cup playoffs by the Colorado Rapids. Adding to their woes, the Crew fell short in the 2010 U.S. Open Cup Final, losing 2-1 to Seattle Sounders FC at Qwest Field.
2010: End of Glidden Shirt Sponsor Deal
The Glidden shirt sponsor deal ended in 2010.
September 2011: Increase Season Ticket Sales Goal
The Crew had announced in September 2011 that it aimed to increase season-ticket sales to 10,000.
2011: Columbus Crew Returns to Playoffs
2014 marked the Columbus Crew's return to the playoffs, having last appeared in the postseason in 2011.
2011: Partnership with Michigan Wolves
In 2011, Columbus Crew formed a partnership with the Michigan Wolves youth soccer club.
2011: Columbus Crew's Playoff Hopes Dashed by Colorado Rapids
The Columbus Crew concluded the 2011 MLS season in ninth place with a 13-13-8 record. Their playoff journey was cut short in the wild card round, as they faced a defeat against the Colorado Rapids.
2011: No Jersey Sponsor
The Crew did not have a jersey sponsor in 2011.
November 2012: Season Tickets at 6,000
By November 2012, Crew season tickets were at 6,000.
2012: Barbasol Shirt Sponsor Deal
In 2012, the Crew announced a new shirt sponsorship deal with Barbasol that ran for five years.
2012: Columbus Crew Narrowly Misses Playoffs
In 2012, the Columbus Crew concluded their season with a 15-12-7 record, securing sixth place in the Eastern Conference. Despite their efforts, they narrowly missed out on a playoff berth.
July 30, 2013: Anthony Precourt Becomes New Investor-Operator
On July 30, 2013, Anthony Precourt became the second investor-operator in the history of the Columbus Crew. Within his first 15 months, Precourt undertook significant initiatives to enhance the club, including upgrading portions of Crew Stadium and implementing a rebranding strategy aimed at strengthening the team's connection with the city of Columbus.
August 2013: Season Ticket Goal Surpassed
By August 2013, the Crew had surpassed 7,000 season ticket holders.
September 2, 2013: Columbus Crew Parts Ways with Robert Warzycha
Following a disappointing home loss to the Seattle Sounders and mounting frustration among fans, the Columbus Crew made the decision to part ways with Head Coach Robert Warzycha on September 2, 2013. Brian Bliss, who had been with the club since 1996 as a player and subsequently as technical director, assumed the role of interim head coach.
November 6, 2013: Gregg Berhalter Appointed Head Coach and Sporting Director
On November 6, 2013, Gregg Berhalter was named the new head coach of the Columbus Crew. This appointment also marked him as the first sporting director in the club's history.
November 16, 2013: Gregg Berhalter Named Head Coach
On November 16, 2013, Columbus Crew announced Gregg Berhalter as the head coach and first sporting director in club history.
2013: Anthony Precourt Initiates Columbus Crew Rebrand
Upon acquiring ownership of the Columbus Crew in 2013, Anthony Precourt initiated a rebranding effort, citing a disconnect between the existing crest and the evolving identity of Columbus. He argued that the city had transcended its blue-collar roots and become more dynamic and diverse.
August 16, 2014: Andy Loughnane Joins as President of Business Operations
On August 16, 2014, the Columbus Crew appointed experienced sports industry executive Andy Loughnane as the new President of Business Operations. The team experienced remarkable success off the field, achieving record-breaking attendance and sellouts at Crew Stadium throughout the season. The combination of on-field achievements and a revitalized presence off the field marked a successful first full year for both Anthony Precourt and Gregg Berhalter.
October 8, 2014: Columbus Crew Rebranded as Columbus Crew SC
On October 8, 2014, under the ownership of Anthony Precourt, the Columbus Crew underwent a rebranding, changing their name to "Columbus Crew SC" and introducing a new logo.
2014: Game at FirstEnergy Stadium
In 2014, the Crew played one U.S. Open Cup game at FirstEnergy Stadium-Cub Cadet Field.
2014: Columbus Crew Phases Out Original Club Badge
By 2014, the Columbus Crew had phased out its original club badge, which featured three silhouetted figures in construction hats, to align with a rebranding effort.
2014: Columbus Crew Returns to Playoffs, Berhalter Makes His Mark
The 2014 season saw the Columbus Crew return to the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2011. Under the guidance of Gregg Berhalter, the team finished with a 14-10-10 record, securing the third seed in the Eastern Conference. Two Crew players, Giancarlo González and Waylon Francis, represented Costa Rica in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, with González receiving accolades for his performances. Berhalter's coaching prowess earned him a nomination for the 2014 MLS Head Coach of the Year award. Goalkeeper Steve Clark was also nominated for the 2014 Goalkeeper of the Year award, while Michael Parkhurst received the Individual Fair Play Award for the third time.
2014: Kei Kamara Returns to Columbus
The start of the 2015 season for Columbus Crew SC was marked by the return of Kei Kamara in late 2014. Kamara's return proved impactful, as he went on to score an impressive 22 goals during the regular season and an additional four goals in the playoffs.
2014: Extension of Michigan Wolves Partnership
In 2014, Columbus Crew extended their partnership with the Michigan Wolves youth soccer club for another two years.
2014: Stadium Attendance Records
In 2014, the club set all-time stadium attendance records for highest overall attendance and most sellouts in one season.
March 3, 2015: MAPFRE Insurance Partnership
On March 3, 2015, the Crew announced that they had agreed to a multimillion-dollar stadium naming rights partnership with MAPFRE Insurance, a first for the stadium.
September 26, 2015: Columbus Crew SC Hosts Largest Sellout Crowd Since 2008
On September 26, 2015, Crew SC achieved a significant milestone by hosting their largest sellout crowd since 2008, with an announced attendance of 22,719.
2015: Historic Crew Stadium Capacity
Historic Crew Stadium had a seating capacity of 19,968 as of the 2015 season.
2015: Mapfre Stadium Naming Rights
In 2015, the naming rights for the stadium were purchased by Madrid-based insurance company Mapfre.
2015: Columbus Crew Returns to Black Alternate Uniform
The Columbus Crew, known for their traditional black alternate uniform, reverted to their black jerseys as their alternate uniform for the 2015 season. This followed a period in the late 2000s when the team favored white uniforms.
2015: S.C. Mascot Introduced
Columbus's official mascot is "S.C", the son of "Crew Cat" that was introduced for the 2015 MLS season.
2016: Crew Games on TWC Sports Channel
In 2016, Columbus Crew games were broadcast on TWC Sports Channel and simulcast on Sinclair Broadcast Group-operated stations in Columbus. The majority of games aired on The CW affiliate WWHO, with selected games on WSYX, WTTE, and WSYX's MyNetworkTV subchannel. Dwight Burgess and Neil Sika served as co-hosts.
2016: Games at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium
In 2016, the Crew played U.S. Open Cup games at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
February 2017: Acura Shirt Sponsor Deal
The Crew agreed to a three-year shirt sponsor deal with Acura that was announced in February 2017.
August 12, 2017: Justin Meram Scores 1,000th Goal in Club History
On August 12, 2017, Justin Meram etched his name in Columbus Crew SC history by scoring the 1,000th goal for the franchise.
October 17, 2017: Precourt Announces Potential Relocation to Austin
On October 17, 2017, Anthony Precourt, the owner of Columbus Crew SC, made a significant announcement regarding the potential relocation of the franchise to Austin, Texas. Precourt's decision hinged on securing a downtown stadium in Columbus, which he deemed essential for the club's future. The news of a potential relocation sparked immediate reactions from Crew fans and supporters, who launched a campaign and movement known as #SaveTheCrew. Numerous individuals rallied behind the cause, attending city council meetings to voice their support for keeping the team in Columbus. Subsequently, it was revealed that Precourt's purchase agreement for the club included a clause granting him the option to relocate the franchise, but only to Austin.
November 15, 2017: Meeting Held to Discuss Crew's Future in Columbus
On November 15, 2017, a crucial meeting took place between Anthony Precourt, MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther, and local civic and business leaders to discuss the future of the Columbus Crew in Columbus. Following the meeting, both sides issued press releases providing their perspectives on the discussions. According to the delegation representing Columbus, Precourt and MLS remained steadfast in their stance on the potential relocation, refusing to remove the threat from the table. Conversely, Precourt and MLS asserted that Columbus leaders failed to present a concrete plan for a downtown stadium. Mayor Ginther expressed his view on the situation, stating that it was "obvious that Don Garber nor PSV (Precourt Sports Ventures) had any commitment for the team to stay in Columbus."
2017: Hell is Real Derby
In 2017, FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew faced off in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, drawing a massive crowd of 30,000 spectators, the largest for a non-final match. FC Cincinnati won 1–0, establishing a fierce rivalry known as the Hell is Real Derby, named after a billboard on I-71 between the two cities.
March 5, 2018: Ohio Attorney General Files Lawsuit to Prevent Columbus Crew Relocation
On March 5, 2018, Ohio attorney general Mike DeWine and Columbus city attorney Zach Klein filed a lawsuit against Anthony Precourt to prevent the Columbus Crew's relocation. The lawsuit cited the 1996 Modell Law, which aimed to protect sports teams receiving public support from relocating without notice and attempts to secure local ownership.
October 12, 2018: Cleveland Browns Owner Announces Bid to Purchase Columbus Crew
On October 12, 2018, Jimmy Haslam, the owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his intention to purchase the Columbus Crew alongside local groups. MLS expressed willingness to keep the team in Columbus, allowing Anthony Precourt to establish a new team in Austin. The lawsuit against Precourt was dismissed as part of the deal.
2018: New Stadium Proposal
As part of the new ownership proposal for the Crew unveiled in 2018, the club announced plans to build a new stadium in the Arena District of Downtown Columbus.
January 1, 2019: Haslam Family Takes Ownership of Columbus Crew
On January 1, 2019, the Haslam family and Dr. Pete Edwards, a longtime team physician, officially assumed ownership of the Columbus Crew after reaching an agreement with Precourt Sports Ventures LLC. The new ownership group revealed plans to build a new stadium in downtown Columbus's Arena District.
March 1, 2019: New Radio Broadcast Announcement
On March 1, 2019, Columbus Crew announced that their English-language radio broadcasts would be available on 97.1 WBNS-FM with Chris Doran as the broadcaster. They also introduced Spanish-language broadcasts with Juan Valladares.
2019: Crew Cat Returns
As new ownership was employed in the 2019 season, the older "Crew Cat" returned and attends games alongside S.C.
2019: Broadcast Deal with Fox Sports Ohio
In 2019, Columbus Crew reached a deal with Fox Sports Ohio, now Bally Sports Ohio, to broadcast all matches on either it or the secondary channel Bally Sports Great Lakes.
2019: Columbus Crew Undergoes Coaching Changes and Faces Injury Challenges
In 2019, the Columbus Crew appointed Tim Bezbatchenko as president and Caleb Porter as head coach. The season proved challenging due to numerous player injuries, including a season-ending injury to Federico Higuaín.
2019: New Stadium Groundbreaking
The Crew's new stadium had its groundbreaking ceremony in 2019.
February 21, 2020: First Woman Broadcaster for Columbus Crew
On February 21, 2020, Columbus Crew announced that Jordan Angeli would replace Dwight Burgess, becoming the first woman broadcaster in the club's history.
February 27, 2020: Nationwide Shirt Sponsor Deal
On February 27, 2020, the Columbus Crew announced a multi-year deal with Nationwide.
December 12, 2020: Columbus Crew Wins MLS Cup 2020
The Columbus Crew won their second MLS Cup title on December 12, 2020, after defeating the Seattle Sounders 3-0 at Mapfre Stadium in MLS Cup 2020.
2020: Second MLS Cup Title
The Columbus Crew won their second MLS Cup in 2020.
2020: Historic Crew Stadium
In 2020, a new authority took ownership of Mapfre Stadium, soon renamed Historic Crew Stadium.
May 17, 2021: Columbus Crew Reverses Rebrand After Backlash
On May 17, 2021, following intense backlash from supporters, the Columbus Crew announced the reinstatement of "Columbus Crew" as the official team name. The decision came after a controversial rebrand attempt that was poorly received by fans who felt their voices weren't heard.
June 15, 2021: Lower.com Field Naming Rights
On June 15, 2021, the Crew's new stadium was named Lower.com Field via a sponsorship deal.
June 2021: OhioHealth Performance Center Opens
The Crew's new training facility, the OhioHealth Performance Center, opened in June 2021.
June 21, 2021: MLS Next Pro League Announced
On June 21, 2021, Major League Soccer announced the formation of MLS Next Pro, a new developmental league for its clubs. Columbus Crew's team in this league is named Columbus Crew 2.
July 17, 2021: Columbus Crew Secures First Win at Lower.com Field
On July 17, 2021, the Columbus Crew celebrated their first victory at their new home stadium, Lower.com Field.
December 6, 2021: MLS Next Pro Unveiled
On December 6, 2021, the MLS Next Pro league was officially unveiled, and Columbus Crew 2 would compete in this new Division III level league.
2021: Lower.com Field Opens
The Columbus Crew's stadium is Lower.com Field, which opened in 2021.
2021: First Campeones Cup Title
The Columbus Crew won their first Campeones Cup in 2021.
2021: Launch of The Crew Network
In 2021, Columbus Crew launched The Crew Network to promote soccer in Ohio, offering exclusive opportunities and support to boys, girls, coaches, and parents. The network includes 24 clubs across Ohio.
2021: Caleb Porter Fired
In 2021, Columbus Crew fired head coach Caleb Porter following the results of the season.
December 2022: Columbus Crew Hires Wilfried Nancy as Head Coach
In December 2022, the Columbus Crew appointed Wilfried Nancy from CF Montréal as their new head coach, replacing Caleb Porter.
2022: Wilfried Nancy Hired as Head Coach
In 2022, after firing Caleb Porter, Columbus Crew hired Wilfried Nancy as their new head coach.
November 28, 2023: Last Updated
The data was last updated on November 28, 2023, at 01:30 UTC.
2023: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
In 2023, Columbus Crew games began broadcasting almost exclusively on the MLS Season Pass via Apple TV, with exceptions for certain national linear television broadcast partners.
2023: Record-Breaking Attendance
In 2023, the Columbus Crew set club attendance records for both the most cumulative attendance and the most sellouts.
2023: Columbus Crew Wins MLS Cup 2023
In 2023, under the leadership of their new coach, Wilfried Nancy, the Columbus Crew had a successful playoff run. They defeated Atlanta United FC, Orlando City SC, and FC Cincinnati to reach the MLS Cup final. On December 9th, 2023, the team played against the defending champions, Los Angeles FC, at their home stadium, Lower.com Field, and emerged victorious with a 2–1 win, securing their third MLS Cup title.
2023: Third MLS Cup Title
The Columbus Crew won their third MLS Cup in 2023.
2024: Columbus Crew Makes Historic Run in CONCACAF Champions League
In the 2024 CONCACAF Champions League, the Columbus Crew made a historic run, reaching the finals for the first time in the club's history. The team made history by becoming the first MLS team to eliminate a Mexican club on the road in the tournament. They went on to defeat Monterrey, marking the first-ever victory for an MLS team in Mexico during the tournament.
2024: First Champions Cup Final Appearance
The Columbus Crew advanced to their first Champions' Cup final in 2024.