Columbus Crew Supporters 'Condemn' Move Away From Nickname

The Columbus Crew will now be known as Columbus SC, or Columbus soccer club, a rebranding that drew quick criticism from the team's biggest supporters Sunday.

Over the weekend, images leaked of a new logo as well as reports that the team would change its official name to simply Columbus S.C., for soccer club. The changes is expected to become official later this week.

The fans that rallied three years ago around the Save The Crew movement, to stop a move to Austin were not happy.

The team's independent group of supporters known as Nordecke released a statement saying they condemn the change that strips the club of its history and heritage. They also say they neither they nor any other supporters groups were involved in the rebranding.

Late Sunday a petition went up online opposing the changes. As of Monday afternoon it has more than 2,000 signatures.

A Crew statement says the team will "continue to embrace and respect our heritage while modernizing our marks as our club and the city of Columbus evolve."

The Crew’s first game at its new downtown stadium is July 3.

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