Blame it on the weather, blame it on the remarkable amount of turnover the Columbus Crew underwent this off-season, but whatever the culprit, no one in Columbus seemed particularly interested in attending tonight's CONCACAF Champions League match against Real Salt Lake. No attendance has been announced, but the feed suggests there are no more than, maybe, a couple thousand people braving the 20-degree weather.
Columbus Crew Vs. Real Salt Lake, CONCACAF Champions League: Attendance Looks Absolutely Awful
Earlier in the day, the field was covered in snow, and although the field has been cleared, it still looks very icy. It’s hard to blame fans for not wanting to come out, but this is not the kind of thing officials were undoubtedly hoping to see as MLS and CONCACAF try to make this seem like a more prestigious tournament.
The good news, if there is any, is that the Crew’s supporters’ section does look relatively robust considering the conditions. They’ve been easily heard during introductions and could very well be chanting throughout the match if for no other reason than it’s the best way to stay warm. RSL officials have said they expect between 12,000-14,000 for the second leg on March 2.
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