I, like so many Columbus Crew fans, am saddened by the potential departure of our soccer team. My wife and I have been season ticket holders of the Crew every year of its existence. So, we've watched the team advance along with the city. And now there's a prospect of losing the Crew to Austin, Texas, a city we seem to think of as a friendly competitor on many fronts. Austin one goal, Columbus nil, I guess.

I see the Crew leaving town as a loss to many, if not everyone, except perhaps the owner — although not because he'll make more money there. I don't believe he will.

It's a loss for all the loyal fans in Columbus, and the staff of the team, who have come to have a devoted affection for the Black and Gold.

A loss for the team who sees Columbus as its home, and its support.

A loss for the city in terms of: diminished prestige, in that we can't keep a professional team that's been in town more than 20 years; an actual loss of dollars for all the Crew's and national team games; and a loss of an entertainment option.

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A loss for Major League Soccer as it loses a city in the "heartland" where soccer thrives, and one of its original cities.

I actually see no gain for the person who owns the team in moving it to Austin, except perhaps his apparent greater liking of that city over Columbus. Texas has two other teams, both of which draw about what the Crew does in attendance, and both cities have two to three times the population as Columbus. So Texas is not more ripe than Central Ohio. And it may be oversaturated with MLS already.

It's true our attendance has fallen and it along with other area support probably needs to grow for the team to be sustainable. I do get that.

It's also true a stadium would be much better Downtown. Any sports franchise would rather be near the Arena District than plopped by the fairgrounds. Ask the Blue Jackets if they'd like to move from Downtown out to the fairgrounds. Or the Clippers. There's a buzz Downtown that's great for those teams, and would be for the Crew as well. And, they could all share parking, support area restaurants, have a synergy,even contribute to recreation space in the area.

A nice vision in my mind, and sadly one that is unlikely to happen.

Public funding of a stadium, no doubt, is not an option. The Crew's owner seems bent on moving the team to Austin. MLS seems to acquiesce in this desire of his.

Lots of loss for Columbus.

Too bad, and for many of us, also sad.

I wish for a different scenario, one in which the Crew and our city gain rather than lose.

We'll see what unfolds in the coming weeks and months. For now, I am, of course, still a loyal fan and say, Go Crew!

Greg Brown

Columbus