NWSL in Columbus

Can't help but think this might be a trial balloon.

 

I was like, where and what is SMG Field?!? Oh, okay now I get it.

 

Or maybe part of a deal that hasn't been announced yet.

 

Yeah, not saying there's a deal, but I can't imagine a game against two random teams would be viewed as any indication of viability.

Columbus (and Ohio) seem to get more than their fair share of USWNT games, so I'm assuming they do relatively well.

 

I don't follow NWSL at all, but I believe this will be the first Challenge Cup played at a neutral site venue. Seems to be a pretty strong indication that NWSL will be coming to Columbus.

 

For people who don't follow the league, Emily Sonnett and Rose Lavelle both play for Gotham FC.

 

No comment ; ) .

 

This and SheBelieves within a three-month span isn't a coincidence

 

The ladies are a bit peevish about the new High Impact Player rule that mirrors to some extent the MLS DP exception, which is meant to keep the National team girls in the US. They would prefer an increase in the cap.

So they finna sue

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/47599690/nwslpa-says-rodman-rule-violates-cba-files-grievance

 

why not both

 

This appears to be the NWSL equivalent if the Community Shield. Instead of League vs Cup it is Regular Season Champ (KC) vs NWSL Champ (Gotham). I guess it is League vs Cup, in a way.

Both teams are loaded with NTers.

For the US, all of the following have caps under Emma Hayes:

Gotham: CAM Rose Lavelle, CB/DM Emily Sonnett, F/CAM Jaeden Shaw, LB Lilly Reale, CB/LB Tierna Davison (inj), CM Jaelin Howell, WF/WM Midge Purce.

KC: CM Claire Hutton, WF Michelle Cooper, F/CAM Ally Sentnor, CM Lo'eau Labonta, LB Izzy Rodriguez, CB Alanna Cook.

LB Izzy Rodriguez player for Ohio State.

 

It's a shame that MLS only did anything similar a few times. They could do Shield vs Cup winner, a rematch of the previous year's MLS Cup held at the winning team's stadium, etc etc.