Written By:  Thomas Costello
             Central Region Contributor

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Looking through the history of soccer in the United States, an unexpected city pops up time and time again in Columbus, Ohio. The state capital is commonly known as a flyover town or even a cow town for its proximity to the agricultural counties that surround its home of Franklin County, but it’s also a city with the richest soccer history in the country.
 

Photo By: Thomas Costello

Columbus’ Historic Crew Stadium has hosted men’s World Cup qualifiers, international friendlies for women and men, the 2018 SheBelieves Cup, multiple Major League Soccer (MLS) championship matches, and was the home of the Columbus Crew for 22 years – even hosting the pinnacle of the sport: the 2003 Women’s World Cup.
 

On Sunday, the same stadium that’s the backdrop of a rich U.S. Soccer history is the home field for the Columbus Eagles.

 

A Love of the Game

It's rare for WPSL teams to play in a stadium built for MLS teams, but Sunday won’t be the first time the Eagles have competed in the historic venue. In 2016 and 2017, in what was then named Mapfre Stadium, the Eagles took on the Cincinnati Sirens – winning in both meetings.

In 2016, the Eagles were down 1-0 with 10 minutes to play and forward Molly Cornwell scored twice, grabbing a victory in Columbus’ first match in the stadium. Fast forward a year and the Eagles won an exciting six-goal contest thanks to winger Dani Gunderson, a Columbus transplant from Virginia.

 

“Playing on grass was amazing and being in that big of a stadium was a fun setting, my family flew up and everything too,” Gunderson said. “I guess I had a pretty good game that game, I scored twice and had an assist. So, it was a pretty fun experience and I look forward to doing it again.”

 

Pictured: Dani Gunderson | Photo By:  Sam Fahmi

Gunderson, one of only a couple on the 2022 Columbus roster who’s played in Historic Crew Stadium, loves soccer. In the spring and winter, Gunderson plays futsal and indoor soccer. Once the fall hits, Gunderson’s teaching the game as the head coach of Muskingum University’s Women’s Soccer program, a school an hour outside of Columbus. Gunderson lives near the university and makes the two-hour round trip to Columbus for every practice and match.

Last Wednesday was one of those trips. Gunderson traveled to practice in 92-degree heat on the turf of Capital University to prepare for Sunday’s big match. Practicing alongside Gunderson was 2021 Midwestern Conference All-Conference fullback, Sheryl Shope.

Like Gunderson, Shope is from outside of Ohio, this time from the other side of the country in California. Shope’s been to Historic Crew Stadium as a spectator but Sunday will be the first time the fullback will compete on the field.

 

“It’s huge. It’s a little overwhelming but I’m excited to play there,” Shope said. “Especially have it be the first soccer-specific stadium in the country, to be able to say that I played there, it’s going to be great. A little tick on my bucket list.”

 

Shope is one of most Eagles who will play their first match at Historic Crew Stadium this weekend. Although, this isn’t the first historic sports moment for Shope. At the age of 13, Shope played in the Rose Bowl, before a Los Angeles Galaxy match in Pasadena, California. Shope still remembers touching the grass field, a rarity in Southern California, and playing in an arena that’s created its own fair share of memories.

 

Creating Memories

The Eagles aren’t like the typical WPSL teams that have a firm foundation of youth soccer and use mostly post-college athletes who rotate year after year. In 2022, that’s changing with an influx of more collegiate players filling the roster.

Gunderson and Shope are both 31 years old and open about having fewer years of top-level competitive soccer in front of them than behind. That appreciation for the game creates a responsibility to instill it into the younger generation on the team, but as most folks with experience can attest, it’s not always easy to break through.

 

“I don’t think it hits them until they see it and they’re at that level, they still play and they’re still in the college world and have fans,” Gunderson said.  “As the older side of the team, where we don’t constantly have that, we try to get them to realize what’s going into it, but I don’t think they will till they walk out on that pitch on Sunday. I think then their eyes will go big and realize ‘this is amazing.’”

 

Columbus is used to playing in front of fans, normally getting a couple hundred supporters at its home matches at Capital University’s Bernlohr Stadium. Playing directly after the professional Crew 2 development team, and in Historic Crew Stadium, creates the strongest environment the Eagles will see in 2022. It’s also coming at a great time for the growth of Columbus on the field.

 

Building Strong Chemistry

The Eagles began the 2022 season with a 4-0 defeat to Ambassadors Cleveland. An early own goal by Columbus and a fantastic 25-yard shot by Cleveland’s Megan Buckingham put the Eagles in an early deficit that Cleveland grew in the second half. The next day it won a 1-0 victory against Cleveland Ambassadors but followed it with a 4-1 defeat to Beadling Soccer Club on June 4.

The inconsistent performances were part of incorporating new players and new coaching. Matt Ogden coached the Eagles in 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic and his responsibilities coaching the Capital University Women’s Soccer team required a break from the WPSL’s return to play in 2021 – in stepped CEO and founder of the Eagles, Mark Wise.

Wise initially coached the Eagles when it formed in 2014 but shifted away to focus on growing the club off the field. In 2020, Wise did both on and off the field work and after a promising indoor season where the Eagles won its conference, the WPSL season ended with two wins, a draw, and nine defeats.

With Ogden’s return, Wise was freed up to work on playing at Historic Crew Stadium and Ogden could push the team on the field, paving way for the team’s growth.

On Saturday, June 11, Columbus earned a 1-1 away draw against Beadling in the final minute of the match, off a set piece header in second-half stoppage time. A marked improvement against a team that beat them 4-1 in the Eagles’ home opener.

Less than 24 hours later, Columbus went down a goal to Century United before coming back to win 2-1.

 

“This past weekend we really started to click,” Shope said. “I’m starting to see how my teammates play. I can see that they’re starting to take it more seriously as well and that shows on the field. Matt’s also putting that on us, putting that attitude on us.”

 

Pictured: Sheryl Shope | Photo By:  Ralph Schudel

At practice, Ogden’s raised the standard. Each practice, regardless of the number of players available, is up to the standard Ogden expects the Eagles to play on the field. It yields a stronger understanding and anticipation of teammates’ moves and grows trust.

Now, the Eagles welcome a Century United for the second of back-to-back matches against the Pennsylvania side. While the stadium adds another dynamic to the match, Century’s motivation to avenge its defeat adds excitement. An excitement that supporters won’t want to miss.

 

Supporting Women’s Soccer

Gunderson, Shope, and the Eagles are putting in the hard work of practicing in a June heat wave, traveling to Pittsburgh and Cleveland to compete, and doing it all for free and the love of the sport. They have one request for soccer supporters in and around Columbus.

 

“Come support women’s soccer,” Gunderson said. “First and foremost, you have to support women’s sports, women’s soccer, this is a soccer town and you’re going to see a really high level on the pitch. You’re going to see some really good players individually out there and a really strong team on the field.”

 

A benefit of playing in the larger stadium is choosing a seat. For a $10 general admission ticket, supporters can sit in the front row, just a few feet away from the playing surface and sideline. Also, the weather in Ohio breaks 20 degrees for the weekend, giving a dry and mid-70s forecast for Sunday’s 5:00 p.m. ET kickoff, creating the perfect weather and opportunity to watch a match between two competitive teams.

 

Sunday is an easy way to bring the family and encourage a wider representation of competitive athletes, highlighting women’s soccer.

 

“If you don’t support it and don’t go then it’s not going to be there for your daughter when she gets older,” said Shope. “You want them to have something to aspire and continue to keep playing, especially after college. Going to the game is where it starts. We have the Crew, so support the women’s side as well.”