Challenge Cup showcases Columbus’ readiness for NWSL team

Bridget Lombardo
Sat, 27 Jun 2026 17:24:57 +0000
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Gotham FC and the Kansas City Current prepare for the game as the national anthem is sung. Gotham FC won 2-0 June 27, 2026. Credit: Macy Erickson | Freelance Photographer.

Gotham FC's Jaedyn Shaw (10) blocks a shot from Kansas City Current's Alana Cook (15). Gotham FC beat the Kansas City Current 2-0 June 27, 2026. Credit: Cassandra D'Angelo | Sports Photo Editor.

Gotham FC's Rose Lavelle (16) chases the ball down the field. Gotham FC beat the Kansas City Current 2-0 June 27, 2026. Credit: Macy Erickson | Freelance Photographer.

Gotham FC's Esther González (9) celebrates her goal with teammate Rose Lavelle (16). Gotham FC beat the Kansas City Current 2-0 June 27, 2026. Credit: Cassandra D'Angelo | Sports Photo Editor.

Fans in the crowd cheer after Gotham FC scores a goal. Gotham FC beat the Kansas City Current 2-0 on June 27, 2026. Credit: Macy Erickson | Freelance Photographer.

Amber Mack performs during halftime of match. Gotham FC beat the Kansas City Current 2-0 June 27, 2026. Credit: Macy Erickson | Freelance Photographer.

Kansas City Current's Michelle Cooper (17) celebrates a goal that would've tied the game 1-1, before the referee overturns the call to no-goal. Gotham FC beat the Kansas City Current 2-0 June 27, 2026. Credit: Cassandra D'Angelo | Sports Photo Editor.

Kansas City Current's Michelle Cooper (17) moves down the field with the ball. Gotham FC beat the Kansas City Current 2-0 June 27, 2026. Credit: Macy Erickson | Freelance Photographer.

Gotham FC's Tierna Davidson (15) attempts to block a shot from Kansas City Current's Amelia White (3). Gotham FC beat the Kansas City Current 2-0 June 27, 2026. Credit: Cassandra D'Angelo | Sports Photo Editor.

Gotham FC celebrates with the Challenge Cup trophy following the match. Gotham FC beat the Kansas City Current 2-0 June 27, 2026. Credit: Cassandra D'Angelo | Sports Photo Editor.

Gotham FC celebrates winning the Challenge Cup. Gotham FC beat the Kansas City Current 2-0 on June 27, 2026. Credit: Macy Erickson | Freelance Photographer.

For the first time in history, Columbus hosted the 2026 NWSL Challenge Cup Friday night, welcoming Gotham FC and the Kansas City Current for the league’s annual supercup match.?

By the final whistle, the trophy belonged to Gotham FC, 2-0.?

The atmosphere, however, belonged to Columbus. A crowd of 11,369 fans packed ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, despite having no hometown club to cheer for.

However, in 2028, that will change, as Columbus is set to welcome an NWSL expansion franchise.

Friday night’s Challenge Cup offered an early glimpse of what professional women’s soccer could look like in the city. Long before the expansion club takes the field, the match gave fans their first opportunity to experience one of the league’s marquee events in their own backyard.?

If the atmosphere was any indication, Columbus appears more than ready.?

That atmosphere didn’t go unnoticed by Gotham FC defender and captain Tierna Davidson.

“The atmosphere was great,” Davidson said. “Whenever the [women’s] national team comes to Ohio, there’s always fantastic fans, so we know there’s a huge appetite for women’s soccer [in Columbus] and it showed tonight.”

Davidson said she wasn’t surprised by the turnout.

The U.S. Women’s National Team has consistently drawn strong crowds throughout Ohio, and Friday night’s attendance reinforced what many around the league already believed—central Ohio has become one of the country’s strongest soccer markets.

“We had traveling fans and Kansas City had traveling fans,” Davidson said. “Seeing fans travel reinforces that [Columbus] will be a great place for an NWSL team.”ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, the home of MLS’ Columbus Crew and Columbus’ NWSL expansion team, has hosted the MLS Cup, CONCACAF Champions Cup matches and international soccer in the past.?

The 2026 NWSL Challenge Cup added another marquee event to its résumé before the city’s expansion club begins play in 2028.

The quality of play reflected the occasion.

On the field, Gotham’s disciplined performance was reflected on the scoreboard. Forward Esther González sent a penalty past Kansas City goalkeeper Marisa Jordan in the 37th minute before rookie Jordynn Dudley forced a turnover and capitalized in the 79th minute. Despite facing a Kansas City attack that generated more shots on goal and corner kicks, Gotham’s back line held the Current scoreless to secure the club’s latest trophy.

Head coach Juan Carlos Amorós credited his team’s mentality for the performance.

“Every time we go on the pitch, it’s with the mentality to win, attack, and be ourselves,” Amorós said. “Today we played against one of the [NWSL’s] best goal-scoring teams, and we were able to limit their chances because of the way we work every day.”

For Columbus, however, Friday night’s biggest takeaway wasn’t the trophy presentation. It was the opportunity to introduce a new city to the league—and introduce the league to a city eager to embrace it. When the city’s expansion franchise finally takes the field in 2028, it won’t be introducing professional women’s soccer to Columbus for the first time.?

If the atmosphere inside ScottsMiracle-Gro Field was any indication, the NWSL won’t be building a fan base from scratch—it will be joining one that’s already been waiting.