photo credit: Malak Chahboub
The crowd cheers and the bleachers rumble with the pounding of the Nordecke drums. Columbus Crew fans are loud and proud every game night. But the team community isn’t contained within the gates of Lower.com Field.
Within the stadium, everywhere is a sea of gold and black, with energy guaranteed to make anyone join in.
“Everyone shares a love for soccer or at least for The Crew; they get excited and sad together,” junior Prohan Gandhi said.
Gandhi attended every home game this season and routinely stands in the supporters’ section, called the Nordecke.
“In the supporters’ section, everyone is friendly and outgoing,” Ghandi said. “When you’re in Nordecke, it feels like you’re a part of the game, cheering on the players and having fun with everyone around you.”
The Nordecke is the standing and general admission section of Lower.com Field. Not only is this section loud, supportive and hype, it is also packed and spacious.
“At a capacity of 3,300+, the second-largest supporters’ section in Major League Soccer brings unparalleled energy to Lower.com Field,” Columbus Crew’s website said.
“Nordecke is a completely unique and outstanding atmosphere in American soccer,” 2019 graduate and former soccer player Maxton Brunke said. “Celebrating a goal in front of you with three to five of your best friends is a fantastic feeling, especially when you’re surrounded by thousands of people who cheer from the foundation of, simply, having a team in Columbus still.”
This is such an important concept to many people because there was a time in the not so distant past where the Crew was nearly removed from Columbus completely. In 2017, former Crew owner Anthony Precourt announced that the Crew would be moving to Austin, Texas if they were unable to secure a new stadium in Columbus.
“The 2017 playoffs vs. NYCFC was the first game at home since Precourt tried to move the team. Precourt decided to show up, and I will never understand why. I won’t share the details but trust me, we let him hear it,” Brunke said.
The anger of the Crew fans sparked a movement titled ‘Save The Crew’. Fans from everywhere fought to preserve the community that the Crew has grown into today. They gained much traction, earning stories in “USA Today”, “Forbes Magazine”, “The Washington Post” and many more.
“One of the proudest things I’ve done in my life was the contribution to ‘Save The Crew’, mostly on social media, might I add. I did what I could, spreading the word, but many others were much more influential in the success of the operation,” Brunke said.
‘Save The Crew’ got its well-deserved success in October 2018, making way for the community of the games that are known and loved well today. A large part of this community is the watch parties.
“It was shortly after the new stadium opened, and we were playing Austin FC, the team Precourt was given because of ‘Save The Crew’. Everyone was really juiced to beat them. It was in the new stadium. It was awesome,” Brunke said when recalling a watch party, he attended.
These watch parties are a part of the Columbus Crew’s ‘Pride and Glory’ project, which they are using to work on increasing opportunities and skills. The focus for the project is mainly in the interest of females and all youth.
“At the heart of ‘Pride & Glory’ is supporting the Columbus community in our love for the global game,” Columbus Crew’s Website said. “The event encompasses skill development, friendly matches and opportunities to interact with coaches and scouts at the collegiate level, as well as guidance on the women’s player pathway and recommendations for career and personal success.”
Beyond the games, watch parties and friendships, the Crew as a business has created an atmosphere like no other in the sports world and beyond. From campaigns to organizations, the Crew puts together some events that really matter.
Even after the cheer dies down, and the bleachers sit quiet, the Crew is hard at work every day. This team cannot be contained within the gates of Lower.com Field.
