The Columbus Crew is a professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio that participates in Major League Soccer. The club was owned by Lamar Hunt, who also owned the Kansas City Chiefs and FC Dallas until his 2006 death, upon which his son, Clark, took over his sports properties. The Crew currently play their home games at Columbus Crew Stadium, the first MLS soccer-specific stadium. From 1996–1999, the Crew played their home games at Ohio Stadium on the campus of Ohio State University. The name "The Crew" is the result of a local fan contest and refers to Columbus' blue collar community. The team colors are black and gold. The team mascot is Crew Cat.
The Crew has won one tournament to date, the 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, defeating the 2002 MLS Cup and Supporter's Shield winner Los Angeles Galaxy 1–0. The club has reached one other final, the 1998 Open Cup, which was postponed due to a hurricane and controversially relocated from Virginia Beach to Soldier Field, the home of the Chicago Fire, who won the match in overtime 2–1. That is not the only championship the team has won, as they also won the 2004 Supporter's Shield for having the best record over the course of the regular season.
The team has 2 major support groups,"Hudson Street Hooligans" and "Crew Supporters Union"

Television and radio
The Crew announced Glidden, an ICI Paints brand as presenting partner. Beginning in 2008 its logo will appear on the front of Crew jerseys and training jerseys.

Honors

Domestic

MLS Supporters' Shield:

• Winner (1): 2004 League
  
  US Open Cup:
  
  
  
  • Winner (1): 2002
    Runner-up (1): 1998 Cups
    
    Carolina Challenge Cup (pre-season): 2004 Invitational
    As of December 1, 2007 The players in bold have senior international caps
    Source: http://web.mlsnet.com/players/index.jsp?club=t102
    
    Current roster
    In
    Out
    
    Brian Carroll From San Jose Earthquakes
    Andy Iro Drafted 6th overall in 2008 MLS Superdraft
    George Josten Drafted 20th overall in 2008 MLS Superdraft
    Ricardo Pierre-Louis Drafted 22nd overall in 2008 MLS Superdraft
    Ryan Miller Drafted 31st overall in 2008 MLS Superdraft
    Steve Lenhart Drafted 48th overall in 2008 MLS Superdraft
    Ned Grabavoy Drafted to San Jose Earthquakes in the Expansion Draft
    Kei Kamara To San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for Brian Carroll
    Marcos Gonzalez To Universidad Catolica
    Ben Hunter Waived
    Jacob Thomas Waived Changes for the 2008 MLS Season
    
    Edson Buddle (2001–2005)
    Daniel Torres (2001–2003)
    Jon Busch (2002—2006)
    Jeff Cunningham (1998–2004)
    Thomas Dooley (1997–1999)
    Mark Dougherty (soccer) (1998-2001)
    Ansil Elcock (1997–2001)
    Robin Fraser (2004–2005)
    Brad Friedel (1996–1997)
    John Harkes (2001–2002)
    Stern John (1998–1999)
    Doctor Khumalo (1996–1997)
    Brian Maisonneuve (1996–2004)
    Kyle Martino (2002–2006)
    Brian McBride (1996–2003)
    Billy Thompson (1996–2000)
    John Wilmar Perez (2000–2002)
    Robert Warzycha (1996–2002)
    Guillermo Barros Schelotto (2007–present)
    Frankie Hejduk (2003-present)
    Alejandro Moreno (2007-present)
    Ezra Hendrickson (2006-present)
    Ian Woan (2001) Notable players
    
    Timo Liekoski (1996)
    Tom Fitzgerald (1996–2001)
    Greg Andrulis (2001–2005)
    Robert Warzycha (2005; interim)
    Sigi Schmid (2006—) Head coaches
    MLS regular season only, through 2006 season
    
    Games: Mike Clark, 221
    Goals: Brian McBride and Jeff Cunningham, 62
    Assists: Robert Warzycha, 61
    Shutouts: Jon Busch, 25
    All-Time regular season record: 149-158-61 (Through Oct. 21, 2007) Team records
    
    Ohio Stadium (1996–1999)
    Columbus Crew Stadium (1999–current) Stadiums
    * Won MLS Supporters Shield
    
    International competition
    regular season/playoffs
    
    1996: 18,950
    1997: 15,043
    1998: 12,275
    1999: 17,696
    2000: 15,451
    2001: 17,551
    2002: 17,429
    2003: 16,250/Missed Playoffs
    2004: 16,872/15,224
    2005: 12,916/Missed Playoffs
    2006: 13,294/Missed Playoffs
    2007: 15,230/Missed Playoffs
    All-Time: 16,344