Challenge Cup gives Columbus an NWSL preview

Driving the news: ScottsMiracle-Gro Field hosts the Friday one-off match between last season's champion Gotham FC and Shield winner Kansas City Current.

• A Fan Zone event at the McFerson Commons ahead of kick will include player meet-and-greets, games, activities and food.
• The NWSL is on summer break for the men's World Cup, so the Challenge Cup is the only women's soccer offering on the menu.

Plus: Ahead of the match, Columbus hosts Proud & Loud Thursday night, a storytelling collaboration between the NWSL and The Moth.

The big picture: It's an important moment for Columbus and its new NWSL team to capitalize on local and national soccer momentum.

• "I think it's a great sort of taste of what this league will be like once we're playing in 2028 here," Crew president of business operations Mary Shepro tells Axios.

Yes, but: "At the same time, it's not our club."

• "We're excited to see these clubs in action. What can we learn about them from their players, their marketing, their brands?"