MLS communities around the United States and Canada have shown support for frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and now the Columbus Crew SC’s appreciation is etched in steel.
The club placed the first steel beam Thursday for their new downtown stadium, and it was marked “#InThisTogetherOhio” to show appreciation for nurses, doctors and the like.
“The first structural column’s installation comes at a challenging and unique time in our history,” Crew SC president and general manager Tim Bezbatchenko said in a statement. “We are truly honored to recognize those who have worked so selflessly on the frontlines and want those individuals to know that the Crew, Columbus and all Ohio is immensely grateful.”
The column, which is over 23 feet long and weighs 1.7 tons, was placed in the Southeast corner of the stadium at pitch level. The Crew also released a video of the process, which can be seen below.
Columbus have been playing at MAPFRE Stadium since 1999, back when it was the first soccer-specific stadium built by a MLS team. They played their first three seasons at Ohio Stadium, and have won one MLS Cup (2008) and U.S. Open Cup (2002) during their history, plus three Supporters’ Shields (2004, ‘08, 09).
As they enter their new venue, you can follow updates on social media at @CrewStadium. The club also put out updated renderings of their downtown stadium, which is expected to be a $230-million, 20,000-capacity venue on a 33-acre site. When the Crew's new stadium comes online, MAPFRE Stadium would be repurposed into a community sports park.
