Columbus breaks ground on NWSL training facility as McCoy Park dispute continues

Columbus breaks ground on NWSL training facility as McCoy Park dispute continues

Columbus NWSL 2028 broke ground Tuesday on the 45,000-square-foot OhioHealth Training Grounds, a facility planned ahead of the team’s inaugural 2028 season. The club will train and keep its headquarters there, while playing home matches at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, the downtown home of the Columbus Crew.

Plans include three grass fields with systems to maintain playing conditions year-round, a women’s locker room, medical and recovery facilities, a weight room, and space for academy teams. Three synthetic turf fields are also planned for youth development and community access through a partnership with Columbus Recreation and Parks.

The project has drawn opposition from McCoy Park neighbors who say an inclusive park had been promised for the site. Resident Jeff Hale told WSYX he supports women’s soccer but was disappointed by the change, saying he expected accessible recreation for children with disabilities and felt the community had not received enough outreach.

Christian Pulisic set to extend AC Milan contract through 2031

Christian Pulisic is set to sign a new AC Milan contract through 2031, ESPN reported, citing sources. ESPN said the deal is expected to be announced in the next few days and extends his contract by four years. USA Today, citing reports from Italy, said final details are being completed.

Pulisic has scored 44 goals and provided 28 assists in 141 appearances for Milan since joining from Chelsea in 2023, according to ESPN. USA Today reported he has scored twice in his past four league appearances, including in a 2-0 win over Udinese.

Eddie Johnson offers training to 3-year-old removed from Florida youth soccer program

Former U.S. men’s national team player Eddie Johnson said his EJE7 Soccer Academy in Orlando will train Nevada Pierre, the 3-year-old whose family was involved in a dispute at an i9 Sports youth soccer program in Winter Park. Johnson said the incident reflected problems in youth soccer, including gatekeeping and profiling.

The child’s parents said he was removed because he was too good, while i9 Sports said police were called over a disturbance between adults, not because of the child. The league said the parents received a refund and were asked not to continue in the program. Johnson said the family had approached his academy when Nevada was 2, but he had advised them to seek experience in local leagues.

Alexia Putellas wins third Ballon d’Or as critics question women’s award shortlist

Alexia Putellas won the Women’s Ballon d’Or for a third time, The Guardian reported, after helping Barcelona win the Women’s Champions League. The Guardian cited her 14 goal contributions in 11 Champions League appearances and her role in Spain’s Nations League finals victory.

The Guardian argued that the awards still fall short of equality, pointing to shorter shortlists for women’s categories and few women presenting prizes. Soccer America reported that American Rose Lavelle finished 27th, the only U.S. player besides Scarlett Camberos on the 30-player shortlist; Camberos placed 21st and was the first Mexican player nominated for the award.

FC Cincinnati could clinch playoff berth against Inter Miami

FC Cincinnati can secure a playoff spot with a win over Inter Miami on Wednesday and a Columbus Crew loss at FC Dallas, WLWT reported. Cincinnati enters the match in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, level on points with Orlando, after winning three of five matches in October.

MLS reported Cincinnati had won consecutive matches against D.C. United and held a three-point advantage over ninth-place Red Bull New York and a four-point edge over Columbus.

Croix Bethune sets NWSL single-season assist record

Kansas City Current midfielder Croix Bethune set the NWSL single-season record with her 11th assist, a 17th-minute pass to Vanessa DiBernardo that produced the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over the Washington Spirit, Just Women’s Sports reported.

Bethune surpassed the previous mark of 10, set by Tobin Heath in 2016 and matched by Bethune during her 2024 rookie season with Washington. She has four goals this season and 23 regular-season assists in her three-year professional career, according to Just Women’s Sports.

OneKey MLS joins CRMLS lawsuit against Compass

New York-based OneKey MLS has joined California Regional Multiple Listing Service in a federal lawsuit against Compass, joining a dispute over rules for publicly marketing properties kept off the shared listing service. The amended complaint asks a judge to declare the MLS policies lawful under antitrust laws and block Compass from pursuing threatened claims, Inman reported.

OneKey’s rules allow sellers to keep properties private, but require submission to the MLS within one business day if a property is publicly marketed. Compass argues the policies restrict seller choice. The brokerage told HousingWire that several MLSs have allowed public marketing of office exclusives without fines and said the problems the plaintiffs warn about have not occurred.

U.S. Soccer targets Olympic medal with Steve Cherundolo leading men

U.S. Soccer COO Dan Helfrich said a medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is realistic for the U.S. men, FOX Sports reported. The federation recruited former U.S. defender and LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo to lead the men’s team at the Games.

The men’s Olympic tournament is primarily for players under 23, with three overage players allowed, and will feature 12 nations, FOX Sports reported. Cherundolo, who missed the 2000 Olympics because of a knee injury, is set to coach the U.S. at the 2028 Games, Soccer America reported.

Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or win prompts knighthood talk

The UK prime minister’s spokesperson praised Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or win as an “extraordinary achievement,” The Guardian reported, while saying the government would not pre-empt the honours process. Kane became the first Englishman to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001.

Former U.S. defender Alexi Lalas called Kane the greatest English player ever, according to Yahoo News Singapore. The Guardian reported that Kane holds an MBE, awarded after England reached the 2018 World Cup semifinals.

Columbus Crew’s Sekou Bangoura fined by MLS

The MLS Disciplinary Committee fined Columbus Crew midfielder Sekou Bangoura for failing to leave the field promptly after being substituted in the 70th minute of the team’s Oct. 24 match against Toronto FC, MLS reported.

ESPN to carry all eight NWSL Decision Day matches

ESPN will be the exclusive U.S. broadcaster for the NWSL’s eight simultaneous regular-season finales, Just Women’s Sports reported. ESPN will show Gotham FC’s match against Utah Royals, while ESPN+ carries the other matches and ESPN2 offers a whip-around program.

The final playoff place is contested by Seattle Reign, North Carolina Courage and Denver Summit, The Equalizer reported. Gotham can clinch the NWSL Shield with a win or draw against Utah, with San Diego trailing by three points.

Kylian Mbappé apologizes after Chinese brands end partnerships

Kylian Mbappé apologized after a video in which he joked about a meme depicting him as Mao Zedong drew criticism in China. The Guardian reported that brands including Dongpeng, Mengniu and Milkground cut ties with the Real Madrid forward.

Mbappé said his comment was ill-judged and that he understood it had hurt people in China and Chinese communities worldwide. La Liga also apologized, and The Guardian reported that Chinese state television was suspending broadcasts of league matches.

Arsenal teenager Max Dowman sent off in League Cup defeat

Arsenal teenager Max Dowman became the youngest player sent off in a League Cup match at 16 years and 300 days, The Guardian reported, as Arsenal lost to fourth-tier Fleetwood in a penalty shootout. Dowman was dismissed after reacting to a sliding tackle, and Arsenal intended to appeal the decision.

The Guardian said manager Mikel Arteta did not excuse Dowman’s reaction and had warned the teenager about handling the attention and physical challenges that come with his rising profile.

GOAL names five rising U.S. men’s national team prospects

GOAL published a list of five of the most exciting U.S. men’s national team prospects, describing the pool of young players as crowded. The outlet said Zavier Gozo, Peyton Miller and Diego Kochen were among those who fell just outside its top five.

Sports Illustrated reported that Cavan Sullivan, a 17-year-old Philadelphia Union winger, was ruled out of a second consecutive match with an ankle injury sustained Oct. 17. His availability for the next U.S. national team window was uncertain.