COLUMBUS, Ohio — The big day for Columbus Crew fans is finally here.
The Crew's opening match against the New England Revolution will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday in the new Lower.com stadium in downtown Columbus.
Before the match begins, the team announced plans to hold the inaugural March to the Match and plans for new post-goal celebrations.
For the inaugural March to the Match, supporters will meet at the main rally point at 3:15 p.m. at Battelle Plaza, 103 W. Nationwide Blvd. Fans will head toward the stadium and arrive at 4:15 p.m. Click here for a map detailing the route.
In addition, fans can expect to see some new traditions after every goal with return of the hard hats.
"Every time the club scores a goal, three individuals – including a member of the Nordecke and a Columbus Crew representative – will head to the Northeast corner of the stadium, where a special post-goal celebration will take place that will feature a nod to the club’s original hard-hat imagery," Crew officials said in a press release.
The Nordecke, the Crew's supporters section, unveiled detailed plans on Wednesday to select three people to wear construction vests and hard hats and represent the three construction workers who appeared on the original Crew logo at every match.
The new post-goal celebration includes a Crew fan operating a jackhammer while the other two prepare bricks and the jackhammer.
A supporter will place the jackhammer on a steel plate painted with the opposing team's crews and shatter the paint on cameras throughout the stadium.
"Not only visually a disheartening to the opposing team but this is incredibly loud," the Nordecke said.
The Nordecke released plans about the new post-goal celebration on Twitter.
Gates at Lower.com Field for Saturday’s match are set to open at 3:30 p.m. with a local band, Swagg, playing live on the stadium plaza, according to Crew officials.
Other pre-match events are expected to include the Lower ceremonial goal kick, the Hometown Hero presentation and the singing of the U.S. national anthem by Katelyn DeLadurantey, Crew officials said.