Columbus Crew SC is one of the founding teams of the USA's top league, Major League Soccer (MLS). Based out of Columbus, Ohio, the club was established in 1994 and started league play in 1996. Over the years the Crew have won the MLS Cup in 2008 and a Supporters' Shield in 2004.
I always liked watching the Crew as a neutral: a proper soccer-town club with its own identity in a league that was still finding one. Read on for the history, the records and where to follow them today.
HISTORY OF COLUMBUS CREW: Founded in 1994
The Columbus Crew joined Major League Soccer's inaugural 1996 season as one of its ten original teams. Despite struggling in their early years, the Crew found their feet and reached the Conference Finals in 1997 and 1998, losing both to D.C. United. They also reached the 1998 U.S. Open Cup Final but were controversially beaten by the Chicago Fire.
WHO WAS THE FOUNDER OF THE COLUMBUS CREW?
The Columbus Crew was the brainchild of Lamar Hunt, whose vision for soccer in America helped drive the game's rise in the region. He was one of the key figures who made the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the USA possible, inspiring a new generation of fans and helping lead to the creation of Major League Soccer.
Hunt is particularly known for his idea of the soccer-specific stadium, seen in the 1999 construction of Crew Stadium in Columbus, the first of its kind in MLS. His contributions earned him entry into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1982, the Medal of Honor in 1999, and the U.S. Soccer Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.
CLUB LEADERSHIP: TIM BEZBATCHENKO
As of the 2023 season, the Columbus Crew was led by Tim Bezbatchenko, who held the dual role of President and General Manager, running both the business and soccer sides of the club. He had previously held senior positions at Toronto FC and Major League Soccer, and was named to the Sports Business Journal's Forty Under 40 list in 2021.
Under his watch the club enjoyed several historic moments, including the run to the 2020 MLS Cup title and, in 2021, the Campeones Cup, their first international honour.
FANS AND CULTURE OF COLUMBUS CREW
The supporters of the Columbus Crew are passionate and loyal, backing the Black and Gold through wins and defeats. They gather at Crew Stadium and local bars to watch together, and their coordinated singing and chanting has become a hallmark of matchdays. As someone who played in front of a few, I can tell you a noisy home end changes how a game feels on the pitch.
The club has a rich culture around the game, with a devoted following known as the "Crew faithful" who support the team through thick and thin. Having been part of Major League Soccer since its inception, the Crew carry a strong sense of tradition and community.
STADIUM OF COLUMBUS CREW: HISTORIC CREW STADIUM
Historic Crew Stadium, once known as Columbus Crew Stadium and later Mapfre Stadium, was the first purpose-built soccer arena of its kind (thanks to Lamar Hunt) and served as the Crew's home from 1999. Its capacity ranged from 19,968 to 22,555 over its years as the main venue, optimised for the sport.
The team moved to Lower.com Field in 2021, but Historic Crew Stadium remains a testament to the passion of soccer fans in Columbus.
SPORTING RIVALRIES OF COLUMBUS CREW
Columbus contest one of the fiercest rivalries in MLS, the Hell Is Real Derby, also known as the Ohio Derby, against FC Cincinnati. The two Ohio clubs meet twice a season as Eastern Conference members, and it makes for intense viewing.
Their first meeting came in the 2017 U.S. Open Cup. Since Cincinnati entered MLS in 2019, and as of the 2022/23 season, the sides had met 11 times, with the Crew holding the most wins.
COLUMBUS CREW KEY INDIVIDUALS
NOTABLE PLAYERS IN THE HISTORY OF COLUMBUS CREW
Across roughly a quarter century, the Crew have employed some seriously talented players. Top of the list is US veteran Brian McBride, the first overall pick in the 1996 MLS draft. Next comes the club's famed striker Stern John, who scored 26 goals and 5 assists in 1998.
Then there is Guillermo Barros Schelotto, the Argentine midfielder who won two MLS MVP awards and led the Crew to the 2008 MLS Cup, and Federico Higuain, an Argentine playmaker and two-time Crew MVP. More recently, playmaker Lucas Zelarayan and goalkeeper Zack Steffen both passed through Columbus.
BEST MANAGER IN THE HISTORY OF COLUMBUS CREW
Gregg Berhalter is regarded as one of the best managers in Crew history. He was head coach from 2013 to 2018, leading the team to several strong seasons including the 2015 MLS Cup Final and the 2017 Eastern Conference Championship.
Greg Andrulis is another celebrated coach. He led the team to its first playoff appearance in 2002 and guided the Black & Gold to the Eastern Conference Championship. Under Andrulis, the Crew also claimed their first Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title in 2002, and he was inducted into the Columbus Crew Ring of Honor in 2011.
COLUMBUS CREW RECORD BREAKERS
ALL-TIME TOP SCORERS OF THE COLUMBUS CREW
Four of the top five all-time scorers have retired. Of the group, Jeff Cunningham needed the most appearances (229) while Stern John did his damage in the fewest (70).
| NAME OF THE PLAYER | NUMBER OF GOALS SCORED |
| Bryan McBride | 79 |
| Jeff Cunningham | 74 |
| Gyasi Zardes | 61 |
| Federico Higuain | 59 |
| Stern John | 55 |
ALL-TIME TOP ASSIST PROVIDERS OF COLUMBUS CREW
The top five assist providers have all retired. Federico Higuain racked up 51 assists in 210 appearances, Warzycha made 182 appearances, and Schelotto reached the list in 118 appearances.
| NAME OF THE PLAYER | NUMBER OF ASSISTS |
| Federico Higuain | 51 |
| Robert Warzycha | 44 |
| Guillermo Barros Schelotto | 43 |
| Brian McBride | 40 |
| Jeff Cuningham | 35 |
Who HAS THE MOST APPEARANCES FOR The Columbus Crew?
| NAME OF THE PLAYER | NUMBER OF APPEARANCES |
| Chad Marshall | 277 |
| Mike Clark | 265 |
| Jeff Cunningham | 243 |
| Eddie Gaven | 241 |
| Justin Marem | 234 |
MOST EXPENSIVE TRANSFERS IN THE HISTORY OF THE COLUMBUS CREW
| NAME | CLUB FROM | CLUB TO | TRANSFER AMOUNT |
| Cucho Hernandez | Watford | Columbus Crew | $10m |
| Zack Steffen | Columbus Crew | Manchester City | $7.5m |
| Lucas Zelarayan | UANL | Columbus Crew | $7m |
| Giancarlo Gonzalez | Columbus Crew | Palermo | $5m |
| Pedro Santos | Braga | Columbus Crew | $2.3m |
CONCLUSION: OVERVIEW OF COLUMBUS CREW LEGACY
The Columbus Crew SC has left a real mark on Major League Soccer. As one of the ten original teams from the league's 1996 launch, the Crew have consistently been a top performer on and off the field, and a leader in the soccer community through their charitable work.
Their success and their commitment to excellence have helped MLS grow its standing in world football. On the evidence, they have solidified their place as a cornerstone of the league.
FOLLOW COLUMBUS CREW ON FIELD INSIDER
Want the current picture rather than the history? Head to the Columbus Crew team page for live squad ratings, fixtures and transfer news.