When Columbus Crew SC investor-operator Anthony Precourt announced his intent to bring a Major League Soccer team to Austin in October 2017, Crew fans mobilized to keep their team in their hometown.

The fans created the “Save the Crew” movement, voicing their passion for their club and searching for a way to have the Crew stay put in Columbus, Ohio. Those fans may get their wish, while Precourt will still move forward with plans to bring an MLS team to Austin.

According to a statement from MLS, an investor group has stepped forward to work on a deal to keep the Crew in Columbus. That group—which includes the families of Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and Columbus-based Peter Edwards Jr.— has "made significant progress” on the plan to keep the team in place, according to the league.

The league also said plans to bring MLS to Austin remain on track.

“While timing for Austin FC is still to be finalized, we are confident that the team will begin play no later than 2021 at the new, privately financed stadium and soccer park at McKalla Place,” the statement said.

The city and Precourt Sports Ventures are in negotiations to finalize an agreement for PSV to build a stadium on a 24-acre parcel of city-owned land at McKalla Place. Austin City Council approved the MLS deal in August in a 7-4 vote.

The city released a statement Friday evening after news broke of the ownership group’s intentions to keep the Crew in Columbus.

“From the city of Austin’s perspective this does not change the terms of the ongoing negotiations between the city and Precourt Sports Ventures. We look forward to bringing Major League Soccer and the community benefits that come with it to Austin and working with PSV on making that a reality,” the city's statement said.

In March, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, along with the city of Columbus, filed a lawsuit against PSV to keep the team in place. The suit was based on the Art Modell Law, which prohibits teams using tax-supported facilities and accepting financial assistance from the state and its localities from relocating without first following a specific process.

DeWine said on Friday his office will continue pursuing the case until there is an official deal to keep the Crew in Columbus.

“I am proud of the work our legal team has done in ensuring Ohio’s laws are followed, and the door has been kept open to productive negotiations. Our community has invested in this team and deserves the opportunity to keep the black and gold right here, where they belong,” DeWine said in a statement.