Crew fans express anger
Local supporters want owner to keep team in Columbus.
With fans directing obscenities toward him, Columbus Crew S.C. investor-operator Anthony Precourt showed his face in Ohio for the first time since announcing Oct. 17 he was exploring moving the team to Austin. He watched his team drub New York City FC 4-1 in leg one of the Major League Soccer playoffs’ Eastern Conference semifinals.
Crew S.C. led 1-0 at halftime and went up 3-0 after scoring two goals in quick succession following an NYCFC red card.
After each second-half goal, fans chanted “C-R-E-W. (Expletive) you, Precourt, we are the Crew.” The ESPN broadcast showed Precourt multiple times. He was wearing a hat with a Crew S.C. logo, and stood with his arms crossed and a blank expression following the team’s goal to make the score 2-0.
Not all of the chants were vulgar. In the sixth minute, less than 30 seconds before the first goal, shouts of “Save the Crew” spread from the rowdy Nordecke supporters section throughout the entire stadium.
Attendance was announced at 14,416. The capacity of MAPFRE Stadium is approximately 20,000. Word spread quickly that Precourt was in attendance.
“I hope he changes his mind and leaves the Crew here because the Crew has a loyal following,” said Art Pereira, a father who was standing in the Nordecke with his three sons.
The game was Crew SC’s first at home since Precourt’s announcement. Columbus drew 2-2 at New York City the following Sunday, then beat Atlanta United FC on penalty kicks to advance past the first round of the playoffs. The team has a 12-match unbeaten streak.
“We repurposed our mission,” Crew SC head coach and sporting director Gregg Berhalter said after the game. “It’s solely to play for the fans and give them as many home games as we can and let them enjoy something.”
The players said they noticed a difference in the atmosphere compared to previous home matches.
“It felt more than just the casual game,” said captain Wil Trapp, a native of nearby Gahanna, Ohio. “Every playoff game is exciting, right? There’s a lot of energy and excitement, but this one felt a little bit different just because of everything surrounding it.”