As the Columbus Crew pulled off a statement win over SC Club América on Monday night, viewers will have inevitably noticed a loud clatter from the stands after each one of the MLS side’s four goals on the night.
The 4-1 win saw the Crew claim top spot in the Central 1 group, after a double from Cucho Hernández as well as strikes late on from Christian Ramírez and Steven Moreira. The Ohio outfit will now take on Minnesota United FC in their midweek Round of 32 fixture.
The drilling noise that welcomes each Columbus Crew goal is part of a celebration that was only recently introduced by the team - but has its roots in the club’s foundation back in the 90s.
When the double MLS Cup winners left their previous stadium, Historic Crew Stadium, in 2021 to move into a new ground, a new ritual was introduced to the stands. At lower.com Field, every time one of the home players finds the back of the net, a fan in the Nordecke supporters’ section will operate a jackhammer on a brick, helped by two other supporters.
The goal celebration pays homage to the team’s old logo, which was used from when they began playing in 1996 up until 2014. It featured three workers wearing construction hats, as a tribute to the city’s industrial, working-class heritage.
The Crew’s celebration bears a similarity to that of their MLS rivals Portland Timbers, who saw a slab off of their traditional victory log after every goal. After a chunk of the brick is broken off, the fans entrusted with the operation will hold it aloft before the crowd in celebration. It will then be placed in the team’s entrance tunnel, serving as a memento to the goal.
The power tool has seen plenty of action this season, given the team are the MLS Eastern Conference top scorers so far, with 45 strikes. Having already scored six goals in Leagues Cup action so far, the Crew faithful will be hoping to hear plenty more of the jackhammer over the course of the tournament.
