Columbus Crew FC, abbreviated as "Columbus", was founded on June 15, 1994, and is a professional soccer club in the United States.
As the first team in MLS history to have its own dedicated soccer stadium, the Crew pioneered the construction of professional soccer stadiums in the league in 1999. The team won the U.S. Open Cup in 2002 and claimed the MLS Cup championship twice in 2008 and 2020. It is currently operated by a consortium led by the Haslam family (owners of the Cleveland Browns), maintaining a stable competitive edge.
The "Ohio Derby" between Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati has become one of the most intense regional rivalries in MLS. In the 2023 season MLS Cup Final, Columbus Crew defeated Los Angeles FC 2-1, winning the MLS Cup for the third time in the club's history.
In 2024, the team achieved remarkable results in both the CONCACAF Champions League and the Leagues Cup. Although they finished as runners-up in the Champions League final in June, losing 0-3 to the Mexican powerhouse Pachuca, the team triumphed in the Leagues Cup final in August, defeating Los Angeles FC 3-1 and successfully lifting the trophy. In early 2025, with the departure of key player Cucho Hernández, the team is entering a new phase of development.