Last week was a big one for soccer in Columbus.



In a matter of 24 hours, Columbus soccer fans were treated to the announcement of a massive redevelopment that will turn the Mapfre Stadium site into a community soccer complex and another announcement of plans for a new home for the Columbus Crew downtown in the city’s Arena District.



But perhaps the most important thing to come from last week isn’t the new stadium itself or the announcement of a redeveloped Mapfre site.



The best and most encouraging outcome of the two announcements and the buzz surrounding them is that Columbus is no longer focused on being a city with a professional soccer team. Instead, it’s working to truly become a soccer city, and one that makes soccer grow far beyond its MLS team.



When the infamous news broke that owner Anthony Precourt planned to move the Crew to Austin, Texas, the idea was immediately met with questions of what the move would mean for the...