Columbus Crew today announced additional activities as part of the Club’s Soccer For All Night match when the Crew faces Charlotte FC at Lower.com Field on Saturday, June 18 this link.
The Crew engages in inclusive community activities throughout the year, with Saturday’s contest serving as the highlight of a month-long celebration of soccer being a global sport for all.
In advance of the match, Crew fans of all ages are invited to join the lively March to the Match. In a Black & Gold showing through the downtown Arena District and ending in Astor Park, the march provides an opportunity to capture the intense build-up to each home contest. Supporters are encouraged to meet up at Battelle Plaza – the main rally point – beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET and departing for the stadium at 6:30 p.m. ET.
The Pub at Lower.com Field is set to open at 4:24 p.m. ET, 96 minutes prior to the stadium gates opening for fans with tickets to the match. Supporters are able to enjoy a 96-minute happy hour with food and drink specials. Supporters who attend the match can also purchase the 2022 adidas Pride tops, which will be available at the Lower.com Field Crew Shop or online via this link.
On Saturday, the Lower.com Field Community Plaza is set to feature a backdrop where supporters in attendance can write messages displaying what Soccer For All means to them. Kaleidoscope Youth Center --a youth-based organization that works alongside the queer youth of the greater Columbus community in helping create free programming, housing, and support services across the state of Ohio -- will have a table at the plaza with resources available for those in attendance.
As part of the pre-match events, the Crew is set to highlight the efforts of Ben Levey, Founder & Executive Director of Final Third Foundation, as this match’s Community Spotlight. On July 16, Final Third Foundation will host the third annual Columbus Nations Cup, a soccer tournament and festival that shines a light on, and celebrates diversity in the Columbus community. Proceeds from the event will go to Final Third Foundation and towards the Community Refugee & Immigration Services (CRIS) mentorship program, Community Connectors.
Local musician T Wong will perform a rendition of the Black National Anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing" in honor of Juneteenth and “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the U.S. national anthem. Prior to kickoff, the Nordecke is set to unveil the first of two special tifos celebrating Soccer For All. Crew players are set to wear adidas jerseys to celebrate diversity and unity while performing their pre-match warm-ups.
During the match, players from both teams will be wearing "Freedom To Be" jerseys featuring Juneteenth-inspired numbers designed by Judah, a Black queer artist from Childersburg, Alabama. Middleton created the numbers – a vibrant yellow, green, and red color palette, to represent the blood, soil and prosperity of Africa and its people. The jerseys illustrate the history and importance of Juneteenth, and reinforce the notion of “Freedom To Be,” emphasizing everyone’s inherent freedom to be their true selves in every facet of life.
The game-worn “Freedom To Be” jerseys are set to be auctioned off via MLSAuctions.com from Monday, June 20 - to Tuesday, July 5. Proceeds from the auction will go to VOYCENOW Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to speaking up, creating equal opportunities for all, advancing youth sports and after-school programs, and bringing communities together.
At halftime, the Crew will hold an on-field recognition for the Special Olympics Team Ohio, which recently earned silver medals at the 2022 Special Olympics Summer Games. Following the match's conclusion, local youth soccer champions will have the opportunity to have their photos taken with the Crew’s 2020 MLS Cup trophy on the Lower.com Field pitch as part of Night of Champions.
Columbus Crew vs. Charlotte FC | Soccer for All Night
Be here as the newest team in MLS visits Lower.com Field for the first time!
As a reminder, the Arena District DORA is activated three hours before every Crew home match and extends to Nationwide Boulevard into Astor Park until midnight Eastern Time. The DORA provides additional downtown, matchday experience opportunities for Black & Gold supporters, with additional details available at arenadistrict.com/dora.
Supporters interested in experiencing the Crew’s state-of-the-art venue, Lower.com Field, may do so by purchasing flexible partial plans or single-match tickets. Partial plans for the remainder of the 2022 MLS regular-season season are available via this link, while single-match tickets may be purchased here.
For more information on the Club’s work in the community, visit ColumbusCrew.com/giveforward.