COLUMBUS, Ohio — In this capital city, in the land of Brutus, Buckeyes and Blue Jackets, where the Scioto and Olentangy tangle and North Market dazzles with color and aroma, soccer will celebrate another special occasion Saturday.
In the downtown Arena District, where the hockey complex, minor league ballpark and soccer stadium line up neatly along West Nationwide Boulevard, some 20,000 spectators will gather for the MLS Cup between the Columbus Crew and reigning champion Los Angeles FC.
For the third time in nine seasons, the Crew is hosting MLS’s championship match, adding to local soccer lore famous for World Cup qualifiers between the United States and Mexico.