The “Save the Crew” movement is an important chapter in Major League Soccer (MLS) history, known for its impact on the preservation of Columbus Crewone of the league’s founding teams. The movement began in late 2017 when it was announced that the then owner of the crew, Anthony Precourtconsidered moving the team to Austin, Texas. This potential move sparked a passionate response from fans, community leaders and local businesses in Columbus who were committed to keeping their team in the city.
Fans organized under the banner “Save the Crew” and launched a grassroots campaign that utilized social media, public demonstrations and community outreach. The movement emphasized the historical significance of the Crew as one of the MLS’s original teams and highlighted the loss the league and the city of Columbus would suffer if the team were to relocate. The campaign received widespread support not only from the local community, but also from other MLS teams and supporters, demonstrating the power of collective advocacy.
A major victory for the movement was that the MLS Board of Directors approved the sale of the Columbus Crew to local investors in late 2018. The new ownership group, led by Pete Edwards and other Columbus investors, committed to keeping the team in Columbus. That commitment was further solidified with the opening of Lower.com Field, a new stadium in downtown Columbus, in 2021. The “Save the Crew” The movement is celebrated for its success in preventing the relocation of a beloved franchise and for demonstrating the impact of fan devotion in professional sports.
“Good Day Columbus” criticizes Anthony Precourt
To kick off their August 26 episode, ABC’s Good Day Columbus team celebrated the Columbus Crew’s Leagues Cup victory by inviting the entire team and taking two minutes to recount the club’s success after Anthony Precourt sold the team.
Even worse for Precourt, the panel mentioned the growing problems of Austin FC, which, despite tremendous fan support and a fantastic stadium, has faded into obscurity in the MLS and failed to reach the playoffs in two of three seasons.
The Good Day Columbus staff presented Precourt with a participation ribbon while the judges highlighted the championships the Crew has won throughout its history. The Columbus Crew has won three MLS Cups, as well as a U.S. Open Cup and two international titles.
Kelvin Loyola is a senior content writer and journalist at Bolavip with over 15 years of experience in sports journalism and marketing. He has covered a wide range of sports including the USMNT, MLS, Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, Ligue 1 and Liga MX as well as the NBA, MLB, NHL and various entertainment topics. Prior to his career in journalism and marketing, Kelvin worked in post-production and contributed to numerous film, television and digital projects. He also brings expertise in project management, social media and web development. Kelvin has a degree in Media Studies from Queens College and is bilingual, fluent in English and Spanish. His passions extend beyond his career and include soccer, marketing, photography, surfing and pop culture, particularly comics.
