With the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup kicking off this month in Australia and New Zealand, the Columbus Crew is using the tournament to shine a light on soccer opportunities for young women back home in Central Ohio.
The Black & Gold will be hosting two major events that benefit women’s players and coaches in the area this month: the first-ever College ID Day and the Crew’s Coaches Education Session.
July 11 – College ID Day
On Tuesday, July 11, the Crew is hosting its first Women’s College ID Day at Historic Crew Stadium. The event includes a player showcase in front of college coaches, as well as a meet and greet with current NWSL professionals to discuss player pathways and share advice for on and off the field.
Sabrina Flores, a current Gotham FC and Mexico Women’s National Team defender will be at the event, as well as Delanie Sheehan, a Gotham FC midfielder. Both players have also represented the United States Under-20 National Team and had successful collegiate careers before turning pro. Flores played college soccer at Notre Dame, while Sheehan played for UCLA.
Sabrina Flores
- Gotham FC defender (2020-)
- Mexican Women’s National Team (1 cap)
- Notre Dame (2014-18)
Delanie Sheehan
- Gotham FC midfielder (2021-)
- UCLA (2017-21)
In addition to meeting the two NWSL pros, 45 local high-school aged players will have the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of college coaches from 16 schools across the NCAA Division I, II, II and NAIA levels. Those schools include Bowling Green State, Western Michigan, Seton Hill, Alderson Broaddus, Findlay, Tiffin, Baldwin Wallace, Bethany, Berea, Bluffton, Heidelberg, Kenyon, Ohio Wesleyan, Otterbein, Wittenberg and Lourdes.
College ID Day will also have a College Coaches’ Selection All-Star Game for the top talents at the event, and players will have the opportunity to create their own highlight film for individual recruiting efforts.
The Crew’s Coaches Education Session
Later this month, local coaches will have an opportunity to attend a virtual meeting to provide an avenue for Crew Network coaches to discuss best practices and player development specific to advancing the women’s game on and off the pitch.
On July 27, the Crew’s Coaches Education Session will take place and be headlined by NWSL coaches, including NY/NJ Gotham FC head coach Juan Carlos Amorós. Additionally, Beverly Yanez, an assistant coach for Racing Louisville FC, will talk to coaches, as well as Ohio State women’s soccer head coach Lori Walker-Hock.
Juan Carlos Amorós joined Gotham FC in 2023, but was an interim head coach with the Houston Dash last season. Before that, he coached in Spain with the Real Betis women’s team. Amoroś was also the Tottenham Hotspur women’s coach from 2011-2022.
Beverly Yanez is a Racing Louisville FC assistant coach and joined the Kentucky club earlier this year. Previously, she was an assistant for Gotham FC and had a distinguished playing career that included stops in the U.S., Australia, Italy and Finland.
Lori Walker-Hock has been the Ohio State women’s head coach since 1997 and has a distinguished career leading the Buckeyes. A three-time Big Ten Coach of the Year (2001, 2010, 2017), Walker-Hock has won two Big Ten regular season titles and three Big Ten Tournament championships. With 16 NCAA Tournament appearances, she’s also coached 11 All Americans and helped 11 players turn pro.
The Crew’s Coaches Education Session is available to coaches within the Crew Network, which is comprised of various youth soccer organizations in the Ohio region. The Crew Network gives youth players, coaches, parents and administrators access to unique experiences and opportunities.
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