Soccer Women Highlights and Key Takeaways

Yeah. Heat. Good afternoon everyone. Thank you for coming. If you'll find a seat, we are going to get started in just a few moments. Thanks again for coming. Right. Um, I just I just brought it down. Are you getting your audio? Is your audio Yeah. Heat. Well, good afternoon everyone and welcome. Today marks another historic milestone for Columbus and the future of women's sports led by the Hlam Johnson Edwards families and nationwide. The NWSL's 18th team calls our city home and will begin play at Scott's Miracle Grow Field in 2028.

We're bringing the world's best female soccer players to Columbus, building a club with global ambitions and setting a new standard for what's possible in women's soccer. From the moment Columbus was awarded this franchise, the vision has been about more than just building a team. It's about building a legacy, one that elevates female athletes, unites our community, and inspires the next generation. We're already we've already celebrated a few incredible firsts on this journey and today we're going to take another significant step forward. The Ohio Health Training Grounds will be more than a worldclass facility.

It represents our commitment to giving these athletes every opportunity to thrive and create a lasting impact that extends far beyond the pitch. This is how history is made, not by just imagining what's possible, but by building it together. We're going to hear more about this transformational moment for the city and our youth from Hasslam Sports Group managing partner Whitney Hasslam Johnson in just a moment. But first, let's take a peek at the future Ohio Health training grounds. We know for our female athletes to be consistent contenders on the field, they need the resources and the training facilities to be able to do that.

This is going to be a new standard set for women athletes, not just in soccer and not just in the United States, but across the world. There won't be another facility that will match our ambition. And all these things have been for a while a dream. And so it marks sort of moment in time that from here on out, we're going to build a team that's going to compete for Columbus in every way. You know, we're creating a facility which really has women at the heart of it and has elite performance at the heart of it. It will be one of, if not the best in the world. In the women's game, there would be no better.

Good afternoon. Thank you all so much for being here today. What a beautiful day. Today marks an incredible milestone in our journey to build Columbus's new NWSL team. Our vision is to set the standard in women's sports, not just in the NWSL, not just in soccer, but across the globe. And that standard starts where our players train every single day. When our family first came to Columbus, this community came together to save the crew, and we will always be grateful for that. At House of Sports Group, our focus has always been the same. Win, fan, community. Since 2019, the crew have won four major trophies.

Our fans have turned Scott's Miracle Grow Field into one of the toughest places to play in the league, and our players have made themselves part of this community. Now, we have the chance to build something from the ground up. With our new NWSL team, we are adding to Columbus's soccer legacy and creating an identity with our players that reflects who they are. Elite athletes with a competitive, entertaining style of play that truly represents this city. The Ohio Health Training Grounds will give them every advantage to perform at their best and is designed around how female athletes train and recover. It will include three grass pitches with the latest technology so the team can

train at a high level year round. An auditorium will feature hot and cold tubs, a hydrotherapy pool, a sauna, a dedicated sleep and recovery room, and room for altitude training. There will also be family and mother's rooms for players and staff. Ultimately, the site will also have three synthetic turf fields for our academy and the community programmed in partnership with Columbus Reck and Parks. The project will support our local economy with over 15 million going directly to construction labor with a focus on local companies and our local workforce. We're especially grateful to Columbus-based Moody Nolan and Marker Construction for their work on this

incredible project. Projects of this size take real collaboration. Thank you to our founding partners, Dr. Steve Marovich and Ohio Health, the naming rights partner for this facility, and to our fellow partners Nationwide and Kurt Walker and Dr. Christine and Dr. Pete Edwards. and much gratitude to Mayor Gther, Council President Harden, and Columbus City Council, and the Franklin County Board of Commissioners. A project like this depends on your partnership and your leadership. Our goals for this club haven't changed since the day we announced it. We want to win trophies. We want to give our supporters moments they'll never forget. And we want to show everyone what Columbus already knows. This city cares deeply about

soccer and about women's sports. We've already made great progress, including hiring our new general manager, Lucy Rushton. And we have many more exciting first for the club coming up that we can't wait to share with you. We're honored to have two commissioners with us for this exciting moment. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Burman and incoming MLS Commissioner Larry Bird. Commissioner Berman has been a tremendous leader for the NWSL growth, overseeing record setting expansion, landmark media rights agreements, and an unprecedented investment in women's soccer. Lastly, she has been a strong

advocate and partner for the NWSL coming to Columbus. Thank you, Jessica. I would like to invite her up to say a few words. Wow, this is exciting. Bless you. Uh, truly a standing room only event and not that different from the energy and the vibes that I saw when we announced the team. So, I love coming back here and seeing all the incredible support for this team and for the NWSL. It's great to be back in Columbus. And I want to start by thanking our incredible ownership group. Thank you to D and Jimmy. Thank you to Whitney and JW.

Thank you to Dr. Edwards to Nationwide and to all of the people who were part of the bid to bring this team to this incredible community. I also want to acknowledge Mayor Gther, Ohio Health, and all of the people across the community who have been part of making this moment happen. I'd love to share some exciting data for you, which is that when this team launches in 2028, it's incredible to imagine that this training facility will be the 13th of 18 teams that have a purpose-built training facility. I think I'd ask you all to imagine a world where just four years ago, our league had just one purpose-built training facility. It is just incredible and really a testament to the owners in this league who have decided to invest in the

permanence that remind everyone that this league is here to stay and it's here to be part of communities for generations to come. My favorite events are actually the training facility groundbreaking because this is the place where our players spend the most time. Stadiums are important for our fans and of course they are our customers and those are the moments where all the hard work gets to be showcased for everybody to see either in person or on TV. But the dayto-day training environment, the things that Whitney was talking about are the things that are actually the difference makers that make sure that these athletes have the resources and the support to actually perform at the

highest level. It's going to mean that this is a community that actually attracts the best players in the world. And those players are going to compete just down the road at Scott's Miracle Grow. And so I can't wait to be here for all of those exciting announcements that Whitney alluded to. And there's so many to come between now and 2028. I'd also love to say how excited I am for the incredible future starting 11 who are sitting in the front. I can't wait to see you guys come take the stage. And it's really what it's all about. Imagining that these kids are going to get to grow up in a world that I didn't get the benefit of as someone who aspired to look up to incredible athletes and women on and off the field

and on and off the pitch. You all are going to get to see the best athletes in the world play right here in Columbus. And I just see your excited eyes and your heads nodding. And it's just so incredible to bring this team to this amazing community. So, thank you all. Thank you to the ownership group in particular for making the decision to invest and we're very excited to see what's to come. Thank you, Commissioner Berman and Whitney. This project could not get off the ground without the collaboration between corporate and community partners, including Ohio Health, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther and his administration, Columbus City Council,

and the Franklin County Board of Commissioners. The Ohio Health Training Grounds will be a place where players can thrive both on and off the pitch thanks to the investment in health, wellness, and performance of our future athletes and community. We're proud to welcome now Ohio Health President and CEO Dr. Steve Marovich. Thanks, Katie. Good afternoon. Great to see so many friends here. What a great day to be together. At Ohio Health, we are proud to be a founding partner in bringing women's professional soccer to Columbus. For us, this builds on a long history of both supporting and caring for many of our region sports teams, their leadership, and their athletes. That includes the Columbus Group, where

we've been a founding partner since the very beginning. We've seen that partnership roll over the years, and we can't wait to see what this new partnership with the NWSL will bring. And that's what makes today so meaningful. When we learned that a National Women's Soccer League team was coming to our community, we knew right away that we wanted to be part of it. And our connection goes beyond sports. It reflects our commitments to women's health. One way we're putting our commitment into action is by opening the first comprehensive women's center later this spring. It will be the first of its kind in the region, providing the complete spectrum of clinical services to women of all ages. That same commitment extends to the

athletes we're welcoming here in Columbus. They will need the very best medical services and care and Ohio Health is honored to partner in support of those needs and will do so in many ways, including this new dedicated training facility. This facility represents a commitment to providing the best possible care for these elite athletes and it sends a message a message of support for the success of all women's sports programs across our community. So there is a lot to celebrate today for the team for women's sports and for Columbus. Congratulations to everyone that made today possible. Thank you. Today, we are investing in the future of women's sports in Columbus, and our next speaker has been a steadfast supporter of the growth and momentum of this city.

Please give a warm welcome to Mayor Andrew Ginther. Thank you so much. And what a great day here in the city of Columbus. So excited to be joining you here today. I want to give a couple of thank yous to folks that were instrumental uh in our path here today. Columbus members, especially the Southwest Park working group, Commissioner Burman and the NWSLO, the Hlams Edwards Nationwide and Ohio Health, the city council. I think I saw Council Member Nick Bangson. Nick, thank you for your leadership. We wouldn't be here today uh without your commitment and your work. I think I saw County Administrator Wilson or any of the commissioners here. I've been representing the commissioners. Thank you, Administrator Wilson for your

commitment. Elon Sims, Mike Stevens, Bernita Reese, Shelley Biden, Craig Conley, thank you for all your incredible work. and to my incredible partner Shannon Gther for dreaming up Ignite Herd with me. What an exciting day for our city. Today we're doing more than breaking ground on a new training facility. We're building on a vision for our city's future. one where opportunity grows, neighborhoods thrive, and women and girls have every chance to pursue their dreams. Not long ago, Shannon and I shared an ambitious vision to make Columbus the nation's capital for girls and women's sports, and today we're strengthening that position. This new facility represents an investment in our city, in our economy, and the future of

women's professional soccer. Together with our public and private partners, we're creating new opportunities for jobs, economic activity, and investment that will benefit Columbus well beyond the soccer field. But the impact of this project goes even further than dollars and cents. It's about creating opportunities for young people, these young people, strengthening our communities and making sure that as Columbus grows, our neighborhoods all share in that progress. That commitment extends to the investments we're making in our parks and public spaces. Next week, we will break ground on the new Green Leaf Park, another important investment in recreation, accessibility, and green space for our residents as we expand

parkland across Southwest Columbus. Adding this new therapeutic recreation space with accessible playgrounds, sports courts, and walking paths, we're expanding access to adaptive recreation for all ages and abilities. This $35 million investment in recreation and parks serving 50,000 of our neighbors is exciting and is underway. We are bringing it to reality in real time. I want to thank our area commissioners, neighborhood leaders, and community members whose voices and engagement have helped shape this work. the heart of today's groundbreaking. There's a message directed to every young girl in Columbus.

We see you. We believe in you. And we're investing in your future. We want you to grow up in a city where you can see women competing at the highest levels, leading on the biggest stages, and showing the world what is possible. A city where your dreams are not limited by what has been done before, but inspired by what comes next. That is the Columbus we're working to build. To our partners, our investors, and community leaders, and everyone who helped bring us to this moment, thank you. And to our new NWSL team, we cannot wait to see what you accomplish. both out on the pitch and in our community. Thank you. Let's get to work.

Thank you, Mayor Ginther and Dr. Marovich for your partnership, leadership, and commitment to helping make the Ohio Health training grounds a reality. We'd also like to thank Moody Nolan, Marker Construction, and Ohio CAT for their efforts to facilitate and execute the club's vision for this effort. Today is a milestone for our club, our city, and the generations that will follow. We're here to break ground on the Ohio Health training grounds that will help athletes reach their potential, strengthen our community, and create opportunities for the future. But before we do that, I'd like to introduce some very special guests. These 11 young people represent something bigger than a starting lineup. They represent

possibility. Because the future of this club won't only be built by the players who step onto the pitch. It will be shaped by leaders, coaches, innovators, storytellers, caretakers, and dreamers of every kind. Today we proudly introduce our future starting 11. Please welcome Ariana, our future head coach. One day we may be leading THE TEAM INSPIRING PLAYERS and chasing championships from the touchline. Our future club president, STELLA, culture and future of this organization. Next up is Blessing, our future striker. DREAMING of scoring goals, representing the United States on the world's greatest stage, and lifting a World Cup trophy for club and country. Please welcome Deco, our future business

analyst, by turning data INTO DECISIONS, IDEAS INTO ACTION, and a day will chart the course for where this club will go next. Our future general manager, EMILY BUILDING DREAMS, shaping the roster, and helping bring a championship vision to life. Please give a warm welcome to Charlie, our future Browns crew leader, creating and maintaining the world class services both at the stadium and right here at the Ohio Health Training Grounds, where champions are made. Ellie, OUR FUTURE EQUIPMENT MANAGER, MAKING sure the team is prepared, organized, and ready for every training session and every match. Our future marketing director, Gwen, sharing stories, GROWING THE GAME, AND CONNECTING with fans here.

PLEASE WELCOME JACK, OUR FUTURE HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER, supporting players every day and helping them perform at their very best. Please welcome Miles, our future community impact director, using the power of sport to uplift, unite, and strengthen our community. And finally, Francesca, our future team captain, a great LEADER ON THE FIELD, A ROLE MODEL OFF, and someone who inspires others to believe in what's possible. Today, these 11 young people stand here representing countless others across our community. Some dream of playing professionally, some dream of coaching, some dream of leading organizations, telling stories, caring for our

athletes. building fields or creating opportunities for others, every dream matters. And today, as we break ground on the Ohio Health training grounds, we're also laying the foundation for these dreams. So, future starting 11, on behalf of every future player, coach, leader, and dreamer who will walk through these doors someday, will you help us officially break ground on the future home of SWSL soccer in Columbus? What do YOU SAY? ALL RIGHT, GRAB YOUR SHOVELS. Are you ready? Three, TWO, ONE, DIG IN. Confidence here will NOT BE MEASURED IN only losses. It will be measured in opportunities created. Confidence builds, dreams pursued. Today, this

future starting 11 reminds us that there's no single path to be part of this club. And for these 11 young people standing here today and for every child who will follow in their footsteps, guys, the sky's the limit. Let's hear it one more time for our future learning. At this time, we would like to invite our ownership and distinguished guests to join us on stage as we celebrate this historic milestone together. It's the vision, the collaboration, and the commitment of so many people who have helped bring this club and facility to life. From the ownership to civic leadership to corporate partners and community champions, each and every one

of you have played an important role in helping shape what this club is today and what it can become tomorrow. Our future starting 11 represents what's possible tomorrow. But all of you up here on this stage have helped make what is possible today. So, as we take our spots together, let's break ground on the future home of women's soccer right here in Columbus. 3 2 1, dig in. Thank you for joining us as we celebrate this historic day for our club and community. We're going to be calling up individual groups for staged photos. After those are complete, we will open the area for additional photo opportunities. Thanks again for being

part of this special milestone with us, and we really look forward to sharing the journey ahead with you.