What happened: The Columbus Crew celebrated National Mascot Day on Wednesday, honoring their iconic mascot, Crew Cat. The yellow-and-black feline has been a fixture of the club since its inception in 1996 and remains a central figure in the team's community outreach during the current MLS mid-season break.

Why it matters: Crew Cat serves as a bridge between the club's charter-member origins and its modern era at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup pause in effect, these community events keep the "Black & Gold" brand active while the team currently sits in 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings.

What to watch: Crew Cat and fellow mascot S.C. will continue making appearances at local World Cup fan zones before the Crew resumes regular-season play on July 22.