2008 MLS Cup Champions
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is a professional soccer club in the 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. The team colors are black and gold. The team mascot is Crew Cat.
On June 15, 1994, Columbus, Ohio was introduced as the first of the 10 inaugural Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs. With more than 11,500 season ticket deposits and plans to build a soccer-specific stadium, the decision to award a team to Ohio's capital city was an easy one.
2008 was the 2nd year under new coach, Sigi Schmid who was named MLS Coach of the Year earlier. The Crew completed the regular season with 17 Wins, 7 Loses, and 6 Ties to lead both divisions. They went on to win the MLS Cup in California against New York with a final score of 3 - 1.
Crew Stadium
Crew Stadium is a 22,555 seat facility, home to the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer, as well as a destination for other marquee sports and entertainment events including US Soccer matches, NFL exhibitions, NCAA soccer and high school soccer and football and concerts.
Crew Stadium is located off I-71 and 17th Avenue on the grounds of the Ohio Expo Center. The season runs April-October.
