The process has taken three years, but it certainly appears to be worth the effort put in.

Columbus Crew SC won its second MLS Cup title Saturday by defeating defending champion Seattle Sounders FC on home turf. It was a tale of redemption in multiple ways, including the fact that the Crew avenged their 2015 Cup loss to Portland Timbers – also at their home stadium.

But what will be remembered even more is the team’s rise back to the top of MLS just a few years after it appeared the club’s future was back in serious doubt.

Rewind to October 2017: then-Crew owner Anthony Precourt announced that he was intently exploring many options for the club’s long-term future, including a move to Austin. The news seemed to come virtually out of the blue, and MLS management had a choice; stand up for the very first club in league history, or side with the owner. To the dismay of many, MLS chose the latter option.

Commissioner Don Garber criticized Columbus for ranking poorly in several business-related factors and felt Austin could do a better job. Crew supporters have not forgiven him for turning his back on the team and the city. At the same time, a group of Ohio-based investors stepped in to purchase the team, and create the groundwork for a new downtown stadium which will open in 2021.

Once the Crew knew they had a future in Columbus past 2017-18, they began a consistent path of growth, with reaching the playoffs, and being one of the most consistent teams in the group stage of the “MLS is Back” tournament. They hit some rough patches at the end of the 2020 regular season, but ended up having home-field advantage for both the Eastern Conference Final and the MLS Cup.

Columbus Crew SC managed to defeat Seattle despite missing two pivotal players – Darlington Nagbe and Pedro Santos had both tested positive for COVID-19, and the fact is the club doesn’t reach MLS Cup without either of them. But the two players who took their spots in the starting XI rose to the challenge, with Derrick Etienne Jr. scoring a goal.

So Columbus has its second championship, avenging the heartbreak of five years. More importantly, it knows it will continue in the capital of Ohio for years to come, with a new stadium to look forward to. While there will be many fond memories of Columbus Crew/MAPFRE Stadium, their new ground is the perfect example of a team, and a city, moving forward against all obstacles.