The word “crew” takes on so many important meanings, including family.

Christmas provides the special opportunity to spend time with family and loved ones. Reconnecting on a myriad of levels can be heartwarming and critical. It sharpens and ironically broadens our perspective on what’s valuable in the present and in the future.

In the broad sense, the Columbus Crew needs to be saved from snakes Crew SC owner Anthony Precourt, Crew SC President of Business Operations Andy Loughnane, Precourt Sports Ventures President Dave Greeley and complicit MLS Commissioner Don Garber by remaining in Columbus for this city (America’s soccer capital and beating heart) and for the very identity and promise of U.S. soccer.

Yes, that’s at stake.

In the sharpened sense, a popular clip from a Christmas cinematic classic translates all-too-perfectly for what is happening between the Columbus Crew faithful and its greedy, deceitful and heartless boss. Specifically, the surprise, sleazy announcement by Mr. Precourt a couple months back to Crew fans, employees and sponsors detailing the forthcoming lame-duck season in 2018 reminded me —

You know the scene of…pure passion (yes, I’ll go with that) from Christmas Vacation.

We’re not done yet.

A lot of people happily consider themselves to be a version of Clark W. Griswold and/or that their family is Griswold-esque. It’s a funny, yet proud comparison. Count me and my family in for this exercise! Speaking of the latter, Clark is a proud man, despite his many goofy characteristics. He works hard and wants what is best for his family. Just as stand-up comedians are able to say things in public we only wish we could, maybe Clark W. Griswold is doing that for us (although, my previous blog posts have shown I’m pitching in in that regard) during the holidays.

Now that is the gift that can keep on giving the whole year of 2018 that will not be the last of the Columbus Crew.

#SaveTheCrew