COLUMBUS – Today at MAPFRE Stadium, Columbus Crew SC unveiled its new gold kits in a special event that simultaneously announced a major, three-year sponsorship agreement making Acura – the luxury automaker with a substantial manufacturing and R&D presence in Ohio – the Official Columbus Crew SC Jersey Partner and the Official Automotive Partner of Columbus Crew SC.

The Black & Gold's 2017 kit portfolio includes the gold kit as the primary kit and the black kit, which was previously worn in 2016, as the secondary kit.

Known internationally for the trademark Black & Gold colors of the club, Crew SC returns to a primary gold kit in 2017 which honors the club’s heritage and identity. Black & Gold checkers derived from the club’s lineage and modern-day badge form the sides of the kit, an element of the brand that became synonymous with supporter culture. Chosen as the first team in Major League Soccer at the inception of the League, a one-of-a-kind jock tag designating “Charter Member #01” rests on the front of the jersey as a reminder of the club’s storied history and status as the first official MLS club charter awarded. As Ohio’s Major League Soccer club, the state’s flag is proudly affixed to the back just above the player names, proudly recognizing that the State of Ohio has been behind the club for more than two decades. Inside of the collar, a nod to lyrics from a popular supporter chant “Glory to Columbus” is emblazoned on the neck tape, visible to players and supporters alike just before donning the jersey. The new gold primary jersey will remain in the Crew SC kit portfolio for a two-year period.

A limited number of authentic gold jerseys and authentic black jerseys will be made available for purchase on Saturday, March 4 at the Crew SC Shop at MAPFRE Stadium for Opening Match, presented by MAPFRE Insurance, when Crew SC takes on the Chicago Fire. Crew SC will have a limited variety of sizes for the Authentics that will be available on March 4 until additional sizes arrive later in the month of March. Additional authentic sizes, as well as our complete replica jersey line - featuring women’s and youth jerseys - will be available in late March at the Crew SC Shop at MAPFRE Stadium as well as participating retail locations and online at MLSSoccer.com. Supporters with questions or wanting to reserve their new 2017 jersey can contact call 614-447-4244.

The 2017 Major League Soccer and Crew SC regular season opens on March 4 against the Chicago Fire at MAPFRE Stadium, presented by MAPFRE Insurance. The full Crew SC preseason and regular schedule can be downloaded and synced on iOS and Android devices.