Orlando City hits the road for the fourth time this month, this time to take on Eastern conference foe, Columbus. This is the first of two meetings the teams will have this season.
The Venue
The Columbus Crew play all their home matches at MAPFRE Stadium, the countries first soccer specific stadium. Built back in 1999, the stadium has a seating capacity of 19,968. In addition to hosting the Crew, MAPRE Stadium has also hosted both the men’s and women’s national team, a Men’s World Cup Qualifier, MLS All-Star Games and MLS Cup Championships.
Columbus Crew has five recognized supporter groups: Crew Union, Hudson Street Hooligans, La Turbina Amarilla, Murder’s Row and Yellow Nation Army.
Places to See
Huntington Park
Baseball is back in the Traveling Supporters Guide! Though it’s not as exciting as MLB, check out the Columbus Clippers who are the Triple A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. And like their parent club, they are actually leading the standings in their division.
“The Shoe”
If you’re a college football fan you know exactly what this is. Next to a Columbus Crew match an Ohio State football game is the biggest sporting event you can attend in the city. Though it’s not football season just yet, you can stop by the famous stadium and walk around and even take a tour. If by chance you see Urban Meyer tell him that I hate him.
Easton Town Center
If baseball and football aren’t you’re thing head to the Easton Town Center and spend the day shopping and walking around Columbus’s outdoor mall. Filled with high-end shops and restaurants a plenty, you can definitely kill some time here before the match Saturday night. And if that doesn’t interest you, just find yourself a bench and people watch.
Bars and Restaurants
Wolf’s Ridge Brewing
Craft beer with a meal is fine, but craft beer in your meal in better. Thanks to a chef with a background in culinary fusion. WRB applies the idea of fresh, seasonal food to a menu built from locally sourced ingredients tricked out with flavors from the brewery. So you might find it overtly in a brunch option like Oktoberfest-glazed donuts. But if you’re on a liquid diet you can always just go there and hang out in the taproom.
Mikey’s Late Night Slice
If you couldn’t pick up on it from the title, Mikey’s Late Night Slice is a pizza joint, but that’s not what it’s on my list. Okay well maybe it is. Mikey’s not only is a brick-and-mortar but also has a food truck. WINNING. So take a stop here to soak up all the beer you’ll consume during the match.
Brazenhead
Twenty-plus scotches, a beer selection that includes a bevy on European brews and local beers, and a burger called ‘Breakfast in Bed’ that has Texas toast, bacon, fried egg, American and horseradish. These are just a few reasons as to why this Irish Pub was named the best in Columbus.
