Posted on the Columbus Crew Facebook page

(by Ricardo Mejia)

Again, anyone who thinks this wasn't the intent from Day 1 is immune to facts.

1. Original out clause in contract. He must keep the team here for 10 years, unless he goes to Austin.
2. Said clause is trumpeted by Precourt, never mentioned the caveat.

3. Overpays for $68 million for the Crew. A lot cheaper than a $150 million expansion fee.

4. First TV deal he signs puts the Crew on a channel only Time Warner Cable subscribers have, making it impossible for 50% of Columbus to watch the team.

5. Precourt makes Austin the Crew affiliate for 2014. Makes no geographic sense. Building brand awareness down there.

6. Precourt sits on the expansion committee.

7. Don Garber continually talks up Austin, even after San Antonio has the Spurs behind them. And Austin doesn't submit a bid.

8. Austin, despite wanting a team, doesn't submit an expansion bid. That's odd. It is almost like they knew they didn't have to. When were bids due?

9. Precourt turns down offers for half & all the team. Never makes a serious push for a stadium here.

10. The mayor says the team was not fully engaged on stadium talks.

11. Precourt moves up the ST renewal period this year & institutes an 'auto renew' plan than auto enrolls STH for PO tickets. The early enrollment period for STH ended Friday. Team refuses to honor cancellations for PO tix & ST renewals.

12. Timing of announcement is insane if you have any interest in staying. It deflates the fanbase.
Kills walk-ups for any home PO game. And distracts the team. Still, he & Don couldn't risk the Crew making a deep run (9 games unbeaten) and/or winning the Cup. Or hosting it (we have more points that any West team and could finish 2nd in the East). If that happened, attendance could spike for next year. This way, he ensures that attendance is poor next year and the move is justified.

First 11 are facts. I feel pretty comfortable with #12. They lied to our faces for 4 years.

And we wonder why the US failed to qualify with people like Garber at the helm? The best future for US Soccer is to clean house: Sunil & Garber out.

I would encourage all Crew fans to boycott MLS and their sponsors if you can.