Life in MLS has been a long and remarkable road for Columbus Crew SC, and the Ohio club is marking the arrival of its 20th birthday with a "Top Twenty Moments in Black & Gold" commemoration series.
With moments 20-16 and 15-11 released earlier this week, the countdown reaches its penultimate stage today as moments 10-6 are unveiled on ColumbusCrewSC.com and here at MLSsoccer.com.
Stay tuned for the top five moments in club history, which will be unveiled at MAPFRE Stadium at halftime of Crew SC’s match against the Portland Timbers on Saturday (7:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE). Get your tickets for the match here.
6) Inaugural MLS match for club
In a list dominated by firsts, the ultimate first is a huge moment for not only the club, but all of Major League Soccer.
The newly branded club had already promised a soccer-specific stadium and more than 12,000 fans had committed to season tickets before they even stepped onto the field.
For their first match on April 13, 1996, the Crew drew more than 25,000 for the match in Ohio Stadium, home of the Ohio State University football team.
They pummeled D.C. United 4-0 that day, setting the stage for one of the first MLS rivalries. While hatred between the teams has simmered as of late, some supporters still consider D.C. the club's most serious rival.
7) 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup championship gave the club their first trophy.
In the tournament named for their founder and first owner Lamar Hunt, the Crew played bridesmaid in their 1998 second-place finish. Six years after their first match, the club had yet to take home any silverware.
They arrived at the match in dramatic fashion, knocking out the Kansas City Wizards in the semifinal thanks to a 90th-minute equalizer and a 108th-minute winner. The LA Galaxy, who were playing fresh off of an MLS Cup title hoisted just three days before, awaited in the final.
In front of more than 6,000 dedicated fans in Columbus Crew Stadium, the Crew bested the champions 1-0 after a 30th-minute winner from Freddy Garcia. The win gave the club their first trophy, and allowed home fans to witness a championship for the first time in the country's first soccer-specific stadium.
8) 2008 Eastern Conference Final
In order to win their first MLS Cup, the Crew had to defeat some demons against rivals Chicago Fire.
Not only were two rivals pitted against one another, but perhaps the best Crew player was returning to Crew Stadium as a villain for the first time. After leaving the club for England in 2003, USMNT legend Brian McBride returned to MLS in 2008, joining the Fire.
In front of more than 16,000 fans in Columbus, McBride nearly earned a dream return. His goal in the 29th minute gave Chicago a 1-0 lead in a hotly contested match.
But Columbus had a comeback in them. Just after halftime, Chad Marshall skied over McBride on a corner kick, dunking on the icon for a powerful header that remains one of the most celebrated goals in club history.
An Eddie Gaven goal just five minutes later would be the last goal of the match, completing the club's revenge against “traitor-for-the-moment” McBride.
McBride and Crew fans would make amends three years later. In 2011, the striker became the first name inducted into the club's Circle of Honor.
9) Goalkeeper William Hesmer scores a goal
The top 20 moments in Crew SC history are filled with trophies and firsts. But goalkeeper William Hesmer's goal in October of 2010 made Crew fans more jubilant than even some of the more important milestones.
Down 1-2 to Trillium Cup rivals Toronto FC, the Crew needed a miracle. That miracle came on a stoppage-time corner kick, when Hesmer charged forward in desperation. The corner took a deflection and fell directly to the 'keeper, who placed a calm shot into goal.
Hesmer sprinted around the field, obviously unsure of how he should celebrate. "I've never gone into the box before," he told reporters at the time.
With the goal, he became only the second goalkeeper in MLS history to score.
Not only did the goal salvage the club a point, but it gave even more ammunition to the collective laughter at Toronto from Crew fans, who love to mock their foes to the north.
10) Precourt Sports Ventures purchases the Black & Gold
In July 2013, the Columbus Crew needed a spark. The club was underperforming on the field and slumping attendance indicated a lack of buzz. While the Hunt family were well-regarded in Columbus, fans knew the club needed a change.
With one fell swoop, Anthony Precourt took those problems on head on. His purchase of the club came with a promise to invest and reinvigorate, and the new owner followed through.
In his first full season as owner, Precourt installed Gregg Berhalter as Head Coach and Sporting Director, giving the club its most stable and accountable on-field leadership regime in some time.
Precourt also rebranded the club Columbus Crew SC, replacing three "MLS 1.0" construction workers with a more modern and traditional crest that has been lauded by fans and critics alike.
In just over two years, Precourt's ownership has brought stadium improvements, a stadium naming partner for the first time in the franchise's history, a variety of sponsorships and a bump in ticket sales. But perhaps most importantly, people are excited about Columbus Crew SC.
