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Columbus Crew SC are in the middle of the what could be a special MLS Cup playoff run. Yet there is a black cloud hanging over the team after owner Anthony Precourt announced the possibility of moving the club on Oct. 17, just days before the end of the regular season.
While Precourt was in attendance for Crew SC’s 4-1 win over New York City FC on Tuesday night, Precourt Sports Venture’s President Dave Greeley was in Austin Wednesday night to meet with fans of the potential new team.
Massive Report was not on hand for the event — we’re busy covering the playoffs and the #SaveTheCrew movement in Columbus — but social media is a great thing for events such as this, as is Fox 7 Austin’s report.
For those that weren’t following along with Greeley’s comments on Twitter, we’ve got you covered thanks to tweets from those that were in attendance.
Some decent kits in the crowd. Ibrahimovic. Throwback Chelsea. Can’t see any @ColumbusCrewSC tops. Sadly no @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/UggmT2WO4B
— Jason Jarrett (@jasondjarrett) November 1, 2017
At the @mls2atx function. Looks like packed house (for the space). Perhaps 150-175 folks. pic.twitter.com/VlflFhhcpY
— Jason Jarrett (@jasondjarrett) November 1, 2017
Columbus Crew's Dave Greeley, president of Precourt Sports Ventures, addressing soccer fans in #Austin. @MLSinAustin @mls2atx @MLS pic.twitter.com/uwVCvsHCBT
— Kevin Lyttle (@klyttleAAS) November 1, 2017
“We all need to get behind @mls2atx “ a @KitMcConnico kicks off meeting with Greeley. pic.twitter.com/ch5v5hUSGk
— Jason Jarrett (@jasondjarrett) November 1, 2017
Greeley: "We need to ingrain ourselves in the community." Says he wants to be partners with the community. #MLS2ATX
— Zach Smith (@ByZachSmith) November 1, 2017
Greeley: “Urban core is really important to us” in regards to stadium location.
— Jason Jarrett (@jasondjarrett) November 1, 2017
He adds he wants to use the current staff's connection and knowledge of the lower levels to bolster the club.
— Zach Smith (@ByZachSmith) November 1, 2017
Dave Greeley, president of @ColumbusCrewSC, rules out DKR as possible home venue for @mls2atx team. No surprise there
— Kevin Lyttle (@klyttleAAS) November 1, 2017
Why Austin? Greeley: “Austin is all inclusive...the multicultural piece of Austin is important”
— Jason Jarrett (@jasondjarrett) November 1, 2017
Dave Greeley, prez of @ColumbusCrewSC, says his ownership group extremely "bullish" on #Austin. #MLS
— Kevin Lyttle (@klyttleAAS) November 1, 2017
Former Ohioan now Austin fan: “Why should Austin choose you?”
— Jason Jarrett (@jasondjarrett) November 1, 2017
Greeley: “We want to be a community platform for Austin”
Greeley says there's a resolution on Nov. 9 in front of the Austin city council asking for help with finding a location in the city core.
— Zach Smith (@ByZachSmith) November 1, 2017
Dave Greeley of @ColumbusCrewSC says of timeline of possible "a very urgent matter. It's gonna take some time." @MLSinAustin @mls2atx
— Kevin Lyttle (@klyttleAAS) November 1, 2017
“When do you think the final decision to be made?”
— Jason Jarrett (@jasondjarrett) November 1, 2017
Greeley: “We’re not exactly sure. Our expectation is sooner than later.”
Greeley: "Downtown in MLS makes sense. Location is important for us." Says they're building a training facility as well. #MLS2ATX
— Zach Smith (@ByZachSmith) November 1, 2017
“This is a ‘must be present to win’ deal. We need u (fans) to be here. We’re gonna need u 2b at rallys. We’re gonna need u to bring friends”
— Jason Jarrett (@jasondjarrett) November 1, 2017
Greeley: "This is about us. This is about Austin. We want all the supporter groups to come together to support our club." #MLS2ATX
— Zach Smith (@ByZachSmith) November 1, 2017
Greeley: “We cannot be any more serious about this move” talks about upward $200m stadium commitment.
— Jason Jarrett (@jasondjarrett) November 1, 2017
Greeley of @ColumbusCrewSC says "we also want to build world-class training facility here" separate from stadium site, mentions E Austin
— Kevin Lyttle (@klyttleAAS) November 1, 2017
Greeley on Columbus: "There is a dedicated fan base. But we don't have broad community support." #MLS2ATX
— Zach Smith (@ByZachSmith) November 1, 2017
Greeley @ColumbusCrewSC says of interest in Austin " we like austin now, but we love where it's going even better." @MLSinAustin @MLS
— Kevin Lyttle (@klyttleAAS) November 1, 2017
Greeley now on table: “We are going to have to embrace all cultures of Austin” - question about reaching out to Hispanic community. pic.twitter.com/eHLZpW8FLk
— Jason Jarrett (@jasondjarrett) November 1, 2017
Greeley on Precourt: "He's a great man and he's been dragged through the coals." #MLS2ATX
— Zach Smith (@ByZachSmith) November 1, 2017
Greeley on rumored deal with UT and Myers Stadium - "there's no deal with anyone." @MLS @MLSinSA @mls2atx
— Kevin Lyttle (@klyttleAAS) November 1, 2017
Greeley mentions Columbus having the most engaged fans in MLS, but...
— Jason Jarrett (@jasondjarrett) November 1, 2017
2 comments on Columbus: “We don’t have broad based community support. We don’t have corporate support.”
— Jason Jarrett (@jasondjarrett) November 1, 2017
Greeley says the move to Austin can't happen without corporate support. #MLS2ATX
— Zach Smith (@ByZachSmith) November 1, 2017
Greeley compares Austin to Portland with high bike traffic, which adds to the need for an urban stadium.
— Zach Smith (@ByZachSmith) November 1, 2017
On the stadium: "It's going to be a great stadium. It's going to be authentically Austin. We're going to be sensitive about the community."
— Zach Smith (@ByZachSmith) November 1, 2017
On stadium site: “it’s going to be very connected to site. We are going to make sense to the community around it”
— Jason Jarrett (@jasondjarrett) November 1, 2017
My comments: This really feels like an Austin move. Greeley upbeat about all potential corp/community support here.
— Jason Jarrett (@jasondjarrett) November 1, 2017
Spoke to a resident that went through the ATX -> Orlando move. Said he does feel for C-bus fans but is still excited for a team. #MLS2ATX
— Zach Smith (@ByZachSmith) November 2, 2017
Lot of folks in Columbus and some in San Antonio grasping at straws ... And incorrect data ... https://t.co/2kxmxsqdtJ
— Kevin Lyttle (@klyttleAAS) November 2, 2017
Perhaps. But this doesn’t happen unless there’s a place for a stadium. https://t.co/gG5WZoOFQc
— Jason Jarrett (@jasondjarrett) November 2, 2017
Crew have passionate fans for sure. First day that @ChrisBils started working here we chatted @ColumbusCrewSC https://t.co/qbOzODWP7C
— Jason Jarrett (@jasondjarrett) November 2, 2017
Would agree. Awkward. Our writer @ChrisBils was in Ohio to describe the atmosphere. https://t.co/S5edY6qtnV
— Jason Jarrett (@jasondjarrett) November 2, 2017
What are you thoughts on this? Let us know (or feel free to just vent) in the comment section below.