Columbus Crew Away Adidas 2019-20 Player Issue Jersey

Columbus Crew 2019-20 — The Adidas Player Issue Away Jersey that smells like Black & Gold to the very seams

In 2019-20, the Columbus Crew was going through a pivotal period in its history: a club saved by its fans, a rediscovered identity, and a changing room being rebuilt around a solid project in MLS. This XL size Adidas Player Issue away jersey — branded ACURA as the sponsor — didn't come from a generic warehouse. It's a piece made for playing, not for sitting on a shelf.

Jersey details

Season: 2019-2020
Club: Columbus Crew SC
Type: Away
Manufacturer: Adidas
Sponsor: ACURA
Condition: 10/10
State: NEW — never worn, never washed, never removed from original packaging

What this jersey represents

The Columbus Crew is one of the founding clubs of Major League Soccer, one of the original franchises from 1996. At the dawn of the 2019-20 season, the club was emerging from one of the most turbulent periods of its existence: an attempt to move to Austin narrowly blocked by the historic mobilization of supporters and local Ohio authorities. The Crew had stayed in Columbus, and this pride was felt everywhere — in the stands, in the locker room, in every jersey worn that season.

On the field, coach Caleb Porter, who arrived in 2019, began to instill his demanding and organized playing style. Men like Gyasi Zardes — before his departure — and Pedro Santos, an tireless Portuguese midfielder, carried the ball with seriousness. Young Darlington Nagbe, recruited from Atlanta United, brought his class and vision to the midfield. A team under construction, certainly, but already difficult to maneuver for any opponent in MLS.

Moments etched in this jersey

The club's survival and identity renewal
The 2019-20 season comes just after the battle to keep the Crew in Columbus. The supporters — the Nordecke group at the forefront — had led one of the most emblematic fights in the history of North American football. This away jersey carries within it the energy of this renewal, this pride of a club that almost disappeared and came back stronger.

The Caleb Porter era and collective rise to power
Porter laid the first foundations for what would become the MLS Cup title in 2020. The 2019 season served as a tactical laboratory, with high pressing and defensive organization beginning to bear fruit in the Eastern Conference.

Nagbe, the recruitment that changed everything
Darlington Nagbe, an American international who played for Portland and Atlanta, joined the Crew and immediately became the midfield's metronome. His ability to retain possession under pressure and launch offensive transitions gave Columbus's game a whole new dimension in 2019.

Authentic vs Replica

A Player Issue jersey is a different category. It's not the replica sold in official stores or on the league's website. It's the version made for professional players: a more technical cut, premium Adidas Heat.RDY or Climacool fabrics, reinforced finishes, and internal details reserved for pros. Some have numbers, names, match badges. Others — like this one — remain blank, ready to be prepared by staff.

This Columbus Crew Player Issue away jersey 2019-20 is in 10/10, NEW condition. Never used. The Adidas quality is intact, the ACURA sponsor flocking is impeccable, and the seams have known neither sweat nor washing machine. For a collector, it's the Holy Grail: a pro-level piece in immaculate condition.

Vintage size guide

Even though this jersey is from 2019-20, it follows Adidas pro-fit cuts designed for high-level athletes: more fitted, more tailored than the general public replica versions. An XL Player Issue Adidas from this era might correspond to a modern L in a standard cut, or even an M if you usually wear loose fits. Don't rely solely on the label.

Before finalizing your purchase, measure your chest circumference and compare it with the actual dimensions of the jersey. As a general rule: measure the shoulder width and chest circumference flat, double the width value, and compare it to your own measurement with a little ease. If you hesitate between two sizes, it's better to go with the larger size — especially for a Player Issue item.

Why you should have it in your collection

The Columbus Crew is a club with a rich history in MLS. Two MLS Cups to their name (2008 and 2020), a Supporters' Shield in 2008, and above all, this incredible collective resistance that saved the franchise from relocation. An Adidas Player Issue away jersey from the 2019-20 season — just before the 2020 title — is a piece that directly precedes the consecration. For a collector who follows MLS, this is exactly the kind of jersey that is missing from European displays, still too underrepresented compared to their real historical value.

And in this condition, frankly, there aren't many. A new 10/10 condition Player Issue is a rarity in itself. Most of these pro jerseys end up worn out, exchanged, autographed, or lost in locker rooms. This one has survived intact. This is what serious collectors call a "museum" piece — the kind you regret not buying when you had the chance.

To go further

• Columbus Crew - Wikipedia
• Football Kit Archive - History of jerseys
• MLS Soccer - Official Major League Soccer

If North American football speaks to you and you are looking for a pro-level piece from a club that has experienced everything — glory, the threat of disappearance, and rebirth — this Columbus Crew 2019-20 jersey ticks all the boxes. It's up to you to decide if you'll let it pass.