Link: https://equalizersoccer.com/2026/10/16/columbus-nwsl-expansion-team-hires-lucy-rushton-as-gm/

The Columbus National Women’s Soccer League expansion team set to begin play in 2028 announced Friday that Lucy Rushton has been named the first general manager in club history. With roughly 20 years of experience across NWSL, Major League Soccer and English soccer, Rushton will oversee all areas of Columbus’ sporting operations, including roster strategy, scouting and recruitment, support staff development and player performance. She will report to Haslam Sports Group President of Global Soccer Tim Bezbatchenko.

Makes sense as a hire given her prior success in the league

The aforementioned experience building expansion teams came when she served as Bay FC’s first general manager from 2023-2024. That team became only the second in league history to reach the playoffs in its inaugural year, with the head coach she hired and roster she built. She becomes the first person to be the inaugural GM of two different NWSL expansion teams.