NWSL Columbus Expansion
This is NWSL team Orlando Pride after winning the 2024 NWSL Cup (US Soccer).
You’ve probably heard of the Crew, the MLS team based right here in Columbus. The Crew is an important part of the culture in Columbus and they are an inspiration to young aspiring soccer players all across central Ohio. But soon, the Crew won’t be the only soccer team in Columbus because in 2028 we are getting a professional women’s soccer team based right here.
This expansion was announced in April of 2026, saying that Columbus will be the home of the 18th National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team. The site NWSL Columbus 2028 tells us that this team will share their home field with the Crew in downtown Columbus because this field is pretty new (launched in mid 2021). This field also makes sense because it has hosted the US Women’s National Team 3 times, all of which were wins.
This picture is after the US Women's National Soccer Team beat Canada's Women's National Team 1-0 in the SheBelieves Cup at the Columbus Crew's home field on March 4, 2026.
Additionally, before the Columbus expansion officially starts in 2028, there will be a training center built. The official Columbus Crew website says this facility will be, “strategically designed to maximize elite women athletes’ preparations on and off the pitch and provide a performance atmosphere that rivals top men’s and women’s clubs throughout the sport, while laying the foundation for a long-term player pathway for youth athlete development” (columbuscrew.com, “NWSL awards expansion franchise, 18th club to Columbus”).
While many things still must be decided for this team including roster, name, logo, etc, there have been a couple staff hires including the HSG President of Global Soccer Tim Bezbatchenko, the President of Business Operations Mary Shepro, and most recently on October 16, the General Manager Lucy Rushton. For more insight on these roles and background on these people, check NWSL Columbus 2028’s website.
As for the roster, name, and logo, we will probably have to wait a little longer to know them. The name and other parts of the team’s individuality were able to be voted on via form, but that vote has now closed. Though as of right now, it seems the team will share the black and yellow colors with the Crew, as most of the advertising for this team has been yellow and black thus far, but the true team colors are unconfirmed and subject to change as the team logo is not yet out.
There may be a good chunk of time before this team debuts, but it is never too early to start supporting them. If you or someone you know would like to stay informed about Columbus NWSL or become a founding member, go to www.columbusnwsl2028.com.
The official NWSL website also shares interviews with important people in Columbus’ local government like Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, Columbus City Council President Shannon G. Hardin, and Commissioner Erica C. Crawley. In their interviews, these people discuss the importance of this team in regard to young girls in Columbus striving to play high level soccer, the lifestyle in Columbus, and the support for all people in Columbus.
So how will this new team affect the community? Though the effect seems small, the impact of this team has the potential to make Columbus an immensely better environment for everyone.
As young soccer players, many kids had the opportunity to walk out with the Columbus Crew team. I was no different from this. I walked out with the team a couple times. Walking out with the Crew was a very cool experience, but I can’t help but imagine how it would have been if we had walked out the women's team instead.
When we are young, we have the opportunity to look up to professional athletes and famous people. It's much easier to picture ourselves as them when you can find similarities such as where you’re from, your gender, what you like, etc. Here in Columbus, boys have been able to do this with the men's Crew team since 1996. What about young girls; aspiring child athletes.
We asked two people, the same age and Crew game attendance, both Anna and Isaac Black are freshmen here at GHHS. The two of them have season tickets to the Crew games. The same three questions were asked. The first one being, ‘Have you heard about the women’s soccer team joining the Crew in 2028, if so, how?’ Anna responded with, “Yes, I have heard of it. I was at a Crew game; they announced it on the big screen.”
Isaac’s response was a bit different, “I have not heard of that.” Now that both of them know about the team for sure, we asked another question.
‘How do you feel about it?’ to which Anna said, “I’m excited for it to come.”
Isaac gave us an insight to how he thinks the popularity of the team will be. He said “I feel like only some people would be able to go so I don’t think it would be as popular.”
Our final question was arguably the most important. The question was ‘Do you think this makes an impact on the community, if so, how?’ Both of them decided that it would make an impact for women, but Anna went the extra mile. Stating that it shows how women can do the same sports as men.
Going off of that, let’s look at what difference this team can actually make. The project funds a special women’s training facility and locker room enhancements, matching the men’s team investments. This team will also increase the visibility of women's sports. The team will cause a local increase in sports ventures and more participation in youth soccer.
This team also impacts the sport of soccer in a way that’s so obvious we haven’t even mentioned it: this expansion will expand women’s soccer. This will spread the NWSL so that women’s soccer may get more fans, viewers, etc.
Overall, this new women’s soccer team will make many impacts on our community and on the NWSL. Women’s sports in Columbus will finally begin to get the publicity that they deserve. Kids will also gain many new role models and opportunities that many children in the past did not get.