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Columbus Crew SC fans took to Twitter last night after reading a tweet from soccer insider Grant Wahl about Investor/Operator Anthony Precourt seeking a new downtown stadium.
Columbus Crew owner Anthony Precourt is set to move team to Austin, Texas, in 2019 if downtown stadium can't happen in Columbus. Story soon.
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) October 17, 2017
If Precourt’s demands are not met, 2018 appears to be the final season for the Black & Gold in Columbus.
According to the Columbus Dispatch, Major League Soccer has filed trademarks for the Austin Athletic and Austin FC.
Fans took to Twitter to share thoughts and opinions, even comparing it to when the 1995 Cleveland Browns left Northeast Ohio.
Much like Cleveland in 1995, Columbus didn't deserve this tonight. City got stuck with mediocre stadium in a sketchy neighborhood. #CrewSC
— J. Justin Boggs (@jjboggs) October 17, 2017
How does it feel to be the Art Modell of the MLS @APrecourt?#CrewSC
— Richie Blaze (@Untgradd) October 17, 2017
“Hey renew those season tickets, come support the team in the playoffs, oh and we might be moving the team in 2019.” #CrewSC
— Gage Magoto (@GMPunk) October 17, 2017
Even some of our colleagues were blown away by the news.
Sick for #CrewSC fans tonight. This is devastating.
— Andrew King (@AndrewKingMLS) October 17, 2017
When you're minding your business on Twitter and suddenly @GrantWahl drops that #CrewSC tweet... pic.twitter.com/C5tWld48pm
— John Bava III (@LWOSJohnBava) October 17, 2017
That's some shocking news to wake up to. Whatever ends up happening, I'm grateful to have met all of you. #CrewSC
— kris landis (@krislandis) October 17, 2017
Crew SC means so much to so many people. People from all walks of life converged on MAPFRE Stadium every week to watch “the yellow soccer team” take the pitch.
Because of #CrewSC, acquaintances have become friends, friends have become family. @APrecourt
— Darbs (@tokenliberal) October 17, 2017
When you see the #CrewSC feed, remember that you're watching a lot of us processing saying goodbye to our family & friends as we know them.
— Morgan Hughes (@Morgan_Hughes) October 17, 2017
Former players even weighed in on the issue. Some even tried to garner a laugh or two during these troubling times.
This was supposed to be a happy day @APrecourt https://t.co/cJxhz6WHFu
— William Hesmer, CFP® (@williamhesmer) October 17, 2017
Please say it ain't so!!! Impossible to imagine #MLS without my beloved #CrewSC in Columbus! I love you Cbus!!! #Crewforlife https://t.co/BUaJOQjJ4G
— Alejandro Moreno (@AleMorenoESPN) October 17, 2017
And city officials.
My thoughts on possible move of @ColumbusCrewSC: pic.twitter.com/4EZ0DY0E7g
— Mayor Andrew Ginther (@MayorGinther) October 17, 2017
October 16th will go down in history for this storied franchise. This date could be the day that history was changed for the founding club in Major League Soccer.