Columbus Eagles FC Endorses Eric Wynalda for USSF President

Former USMNT player and current USSF Presidential candidate Eric Wynalda | Sports Illustrated
Eagles CEO Mark Wise (center) with USSF Presidential candidate and former national team player Eric Wynalda (left) and Jon Townsend of AmericanSoccerTV.
Eagles CEO Mark Wise (center) with USSF Presidential candidate and former national team player Eric Wynalda (left) and Jon Townsend of “These Football Times”

I attended the National Soccer Town Hall hosted by Eric Wynalda in Columbus on Sunday night, and it was a pleasure. Eric’s vision for the future of U.S. Soccer – should he be elected as President of the United States Soccer Federation – was very interesting.

The information that he was able to give us regarding the current state of affairs at the USSF was enlightning. The root of many issues that have plagued soccer in our country for years became very clear. His positions on promotion and relegation in professional soccer make sense. His wish to bring U.S. Soccer into alignment with the world FIFA calendar is, I believe, the right direction for our sport.

Because we are a female side, I was interested in his opinions about the NWSL and the women’s game. I was particularly pleased with his support for the fixing of pay and treatment issues that have plagued the women since the beginning of the USWNT.

“Our federation,” Wynalda said. “If they really want to be a partner to the women’s game, they need to prove it. We need to recognize our greatest asset, which is the women’s game.”

He talked at length about the need for the federation to fully support the NWSL (he mentioned television deals as an important emphasis point). He discussed the need for continued youth development so that the national team stays on top of an increasingly competitive global women’s game. I talked to Eric after the event and he reiterated his support for change and improvement in our game.

After reviewing the other candidates and their positions regarding the issues, Columbus Eagles FC is pleased to formally endorse Eric Wynalda for USSF President. I urge anyone that has an interest in growing soccer in the United States to do the same.

Mark Wise
CEO, Columbus Eagles FC

The Eagles are a member of the WPSL, the second tier of women’s soccer in the U.S., and will play their fifth league season in 2018. Our full match schedule will be announced in the next few weeks.

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