The Columbus Crew capped off a six point week with a 2-0 victory against the Philadelphia Union. Check out a photo gallery of images that I’ve shot for Massive Report, including images not previously seen.

Crew Photo Gallery

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The Columbus Crew started fast, finding the back of the net within the first five minutes of their Eastern Conference clash with the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night in the Arena District. Max Arfsten tracked down a long ball from Dylan Chambost that deflected off a Union defender.

Arfsten gathered it cleanly, drove into the center of the penalty area, and beat Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake with a low shot inside the left post to give Columbus a 1-0 lead.

The Crew doubled its advantage when a cross from Arfsten pinged off Union defender Nathan Harriel and slipped past Blake, making it 2-0.

The visitors didn’t go away quietly, controlling possession for much of the second half. But Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte was up to the task, recording three saves en route to his second shutout of the young season.

Columbus improves to 3-4-3 and will pause MLS play to face USL League One side ONE Knoxville SC in the Round of 16 of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

With all the talk of the new National Women’s Soccer League team arriving in Columbus in 2028, it’s important that we don’t forget about the club that laid the groundwork to make it all possible: the Columbus Eagles.

The Eagles released their 2026 schedule and will look to build on a stellar 2025 campaign that saw Central Ohio’s WPSL squad go unbeaten with a perfect 8-0-0 record. Columbus led its division on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, impressing at each end. The Eagles outscored their opponents 26-3 en route to their first division title in club history.

However, in sports, you’re only as good as your last game. Columbus will look to replicate its success under head coach Tony Daniels as the Eagles aim to soar to new heights in their first full season at Fortress Obetz.

As was the case in 2025, Columbus opens the 2026 campaign in similar fashion, welcoming FC Dayton to Central Ohio on May 15. Last season, the Eagles downed FC Dayton 4-1 in the club’s final home contest inside the friendly confines of Historic Crew Stadium.

Matchweek Two sends Columbus on the road, traveling to Michigan to battle Michigan Rangers FC on May 17. The two sides reconvene 13 days later, meeting again on May 30 in Obetz to close out the season series.

Columbus hits the road again in Week Five, traveling for matchups against FC Dayton and Corktown WFC.

The Eagles return home on June 19 for their only 8 p.m. kickoff of the season, welcoming Greater Toledo Futbol Club for a Juneteenth showdown. Columbus then returns the favor with a trip to the Glass City for its final road contest of the WPSL regular season, before heading home to wrap up the regular season on June 27 with a 6 p.m. kickoff against Corktown WFC.

The full schedule is below.

We’re back with Episode 6, and a lot is happening around Columbus right now—on and off the field. From community staples to expansion buzz to a little chaos in the sports world… let’s get into it.

🔊 Introduction

• What’s been going on with me lately

• A quick reset and what’s on deck for today’s episode

🍔 Thurman Cafe GoFundMe

• The latest on the situation surrounding The Thurman Cafe

• Thoughts on the GoFundMe and community response

• Why this story matters beyond just sports

⚽ NWSL to Columbus

• Reaction to the latest developments around NWSL expansion

• Breaking down the official statement from Columbus Eagles

• What this means for the future of women’s soccer in Columbus

🛩️ Columbus Aviators

• The week that was:

  • Ted Ginn Jr. arrested for DUI

  • Tough loss to Dallas

  • Bouncing back with a win on Friday

• Recap and takeaways from the turnaround

• Gameday experience: what it’s like being there in person

• Full write-up: “Columbus Aviators Soar to First Franchise Victory” (Arch City Athletics)

🏒 Columbus Blue Jackets

• Rick Bowness returning as head coach for 2026–27

• Key takeaways from the press conference

• Culture shift—what does that actually look like?

• Let’s talk roster:

  • Who stays?

  • Who’s on the chopping block?

🏈 Ohio State Spring Game

• Spring game recap for Ohio State Buckeyes football

• Biggest takeaways heading into the season

• Early signals on what this team could be

🎤 Closing

• Final thoughts from around the city

• What to watch for this week

• As always—stay tapped in with Arch City Athletics

Check out our photo gallery from the Columbus Aviators victory against the Dallas Renegades.

Photo Gallery

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Five days removed from a 28-23 loss at the hands of the Dallas Renegades deep in the heart of Texas, the Columbus Aviators exacted revenge Friday night with a 28-14 victory inside the friendly confines of Historic Crew Stadium.

Quarterback Jalan McClendon was 10-of-15 for 126 yards and one touchdown and received assistance from numerous Aviators including the running back tandem of John Lovett and Zaquandre White. As well as wideout Keke Chism, who made an early candidate for catch of the year in the UFL.

Dallas struck fast in the first quarter as quarterback Austin Reed marched his men down the field with a seven play, 68 yard scoring drive to give the visitors a 7-0 advantage.

Columbus attempted to answer back and were doing a nice job until they were grounded by an 11-yard loss on a sack from Renegades defenders Darrius Moragne and Tashawn Bower which forced a turnover on downs.

The Aviators enjoyed some defensive success forcing a three-and-out from the visitors and utilized special teams to its fullest advantage. Columbus return man Antwane Wells flipped the field with a 40-yard return that led to White finishing off a short run into the end zone and giving the Aviators their first score.

It didn’t take long for Dallas to respond as quarterback Austin Reed continued his strong play early on. He led the Renegades back down the field and back in front by a 14-7 scoreline.

On the next drive, Columbus continued to hit the running game hard. Their efforts began to yield results as Dallas was showing signs of fatigue. So much so that it appeared that the visitors committed a pass interference call which was missed by the official. Head coach Ted Ginn Jr. utilized what is called a “super challenge” in the UFL to see if the Renegades defender had committed pass interference. Following the review, it was deemed the defender was guilty of the infraction and the Aviators continued on with their drive.

This opened the door for Keke Chism to complete a ridiculous catch to tie the game at 14-14 for the Aviators.

Columbus began the second half with momentum as quarterback Jalan McClendon jump started the drive with a 27-yard strike to Alize Mack who added another 19 yards to the gain with a hefty scamper setting the home team up with a goal-to-go situation.

McClendon ran a quarterback keeper, fumbled the ball on the one yard line before Mack recovered the loose rock to give the hosts the 21-14 advantage.

The Aviators delivered a knockout blow, orchestrating a Jim Tressel-esque 18-play, 97-yard touchdown drive. With running back John Lovett accounting for 62 of his 80 yards on the drive. Columbus ran the ball 17 times, breaking the UFL single-game rushing attempts record in the process.

Toa Taua punched it in from three yards out, capping a 9:59 drive and extending the lead to two possessions with 6:33 remaining.

Defensive back Smoke Monday sealed the game with an interception to deliver the Aviators the win in front of a passionate 8,729 fans in attendance.

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The Thurman Cafe is an institution in Columbus, and while I understand that we are a sports website, I feel that this story is big enough to report to you, as it’s a community staple.

Personally, it’s one of the final places I can recall sharing a meal with my late father, having a burger and a beer with friends, and a spot for just enjoying the vibes of Columbus

Sunday afternoon, the German Village restaurant suffered “significant” damage from an electrical fire in the heat of the lunch rush. No one was injured as patrons and employees were evacuated from the premises. The majority of the damage sustained is to the rear of the building, but smoke and property damage can be observed throughout the structure.

Neighbors watched in horror as the flames claimed the back of the structure, up toward the roofline. Luckily, the fire was contained, but not before it caused significant damage. Understandably, Thurman Cafe will be out of commission for the foreseeable future.

Like Central Ohio so often does, the community has surrounded the Thurman Cafe family and is attempting to lift them and demonstrate resiliency during this difficult time.

Former employee Ashley Randolph has set up a GoFundMe for the employees of the Thurman Cafe. Many of whom lost their livelihoods in the fire.

“At the heart of Thurman Cafe is its incredible staff,” Randolph said. “They’re the ones who welcome you in, remember your order, and turn every visit into something memorable. Many have dedicated over 30 years to the restaurant and are now facing an uncertain future without the steady income they rely on to support themselves and their families.

I set up this GoFundMe as a former employee and longtime regular to support our Thurman family during this difficult time. Every dollar raised goes directly to current staff members to help cover essential personal expenses — groceries, rent, utilities, bills, and everyday needs — while the restaurant works through recovery and rebuilding.

Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a meaningful difference. Let’s come together to support the people who have given so much to all of us.”

Please consider contributing to the GoFundMe here. As of the posting of this, the community has contributed $12,577 to the relief efforts.

Regarded as one of the largest Track & Field events in the State of Ohio, teams from around the Buckeye State converged on Pickerington North High School to compete in the the Stingel Invitational.

The Pickerington North women finished in second place, while the Panther men finished just outside of the top-10 in 12th position.

Your race. Your moment. Your photo. Grab it here.

Student-Athletes can grab images at a lower resolution for social media here.

Just one day before his team was scheduled to play the Dallas Renegades, Aviators head coach Ted Ginn Jr. was arrested for DUI. The arrest was made in Tarrant County, Texas on Saturday afternoon. Ginn was released on $1,000 bond.

UFL President and CEO Russ Brandon shared this statement after the arrest.

Columbus kicks off against Dallas at 12 PM and the game can be seen on ABC.

The Pickerington North Softball team secured a key Ohio Capital Conference (OCC) victory Thursday, downing Grove City 8-7.

Junior Ella Howe saw her line drive through the infield hit off the wrist of the Greyhound short stop allowing her to drive in classmate Makenna Hartley for the game winning run.

Check out a full gallery from the contest here and purchase a high resolution photo.

Pickerington North Student-Athletes can find lower resolution images here. Please don’t forget to tag us on social media at Ralph Schudel Photo.

Whether it’s financial support or a shoutout on social media, it really helps us out.

The Pickerington North Panthers downed Pickerington Central by a 3-1 scoreline on Tuesday evening, claiming a big win over their crosstown rival.

Check out some images from the contest here.

PNAthletics on Twitter

Collect a keepsake

Check out some sights that we shot in collaboration with our friends at Columbus Wired, as well as some things that didn’t make the cut.

Columbus Fury Photo Gallery

🎙️ What’s Going On With Me

Quick check-in before we get into it—what I’ve been up to, what’s been on my mind, and why this episode took the shape it did.

⚽ NWSL to Columbus

We’re back on this again—because things are actually moving.

Picking up where we left off last episode

New details on the bid, stadium plan, and the whole ticket tax situation

I address some of the Twitter criticism of my takes (some fair, some…not so much)

There’s a rally at City Hall on Monday—this is starting to feel real

⚽ Columbus Crew

The Black & Gold finally get one in the win column—and they did it the right way.

3–1 win on the road over Atlanta United FC

Abou Ali bags a brace, Max Arfsten adds another, coming off international duty

A performance that felt a lot more like the Crew we expect

They’re back home Sunday against Orlando City SC—and notably, no Antoine Griezmann in the squad.

🏒 Columbus Blue Jackets

This one felt familiar—and not in a good way.

2–1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets

Score on the first shot of the game…then just kind of fade out

Pattern right now: great starts, no legs late

Next up: a road trip to face the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday.

🏈 Columbus Aviators

First real look at them on TV.

Early impressions

Honestly, just cool to have spring football in Columbus

Credit to the United Football League for giving this a shot

I’ll be in the building for the second home game—looking forward to seeing what it feels like live.

🏐 Columbus Fury

A little bit of everything this week.

Loss to San Diego Mojo

Then turn around and pull off a reverse sweep against Grand Rapids Rise

Still figuring out exactly what this team is—but flashes are there.

⚾ Columbus Clippers

Quietly putting together a solid start.

Take the series 3–2 against a Cubs affiliate

Sitting 4th in the International League right now

Travis Bazzana is the real deal—walk-off hit last week

They hit the road for five against the Worcester Red Sox.

🎧 Appreciate you listening—follow, subscribe, and let’s keep building this thing.

In a content partnership with Columbus Wired, check out a photo gallery that I shot for CW here.

The DC Defenders earned their first win of the season, spoiling Columbus’ home debut at Historic Crew Stadium with a 44-26 victory. After managing just 153 yards of offense in Week One, DC erupted for 319 total yards, powered by a dominant rushing attack. Deon Jackson led the way with 97 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

The atmosphere in Columbus was electric early, fueled by a packed crowd, head coach Ted Ginn Jr.’s return home, and a highly anticipated halftime performance from Gavin DeGraw. But the Defenders quickly quieted that energy.

On their third play from scrimmage, Jordan Ta’amu connected with Cornell Powell for a 32-yard gain, setting the tone for the night. Penalties plagued Columbus throughout the first half, helping extend drives and leading to Jackson’s early touchdown as DC jumped in front.

The Aviators showed signs of life behind quarterback Jalan McClendon, who engineered a 13-play, 60-yard drive capped by a six-yard rushing touchdown. His mobility proved to be a key factor, helping Columbus find some offensive rhythm.

However, DC controlled the game with its rushing attack. Ta’amu contributed with his legs, while Xazavian Valladay added a 10-yard touchdown run to cap a 55-yard drive. By halftime, the Defenders had rushed for 121 yards and three touchdowns, taking a 24-14 lead into the break.

The second half quickly swung in DC’s favor. After a chaotic sequence that briefly gave Columbus hope following a fumble recovery, Jackson broke free for a 48-yard touchdown—his third of the night—to extend the Defenders’ lead.

Turnovers continued to hurt the Aviators, including a forced fumble that set up another DC score. Ta’amu later found Briley Moore on a tight end screen for a touchdown, pushing the advantage to 38-14 and effectively putting the game out of reach.

Columbus continued to compete, as McClendon led another scoring drive and finished with over 200 total yards and three touchdowns. Alizé Mack and Tay Martin each found the end zone, with Martin recording his first career UFL touchdown.

DC added two late field goals from Matt McCrane to cap off the scoring and seal a convincing road win.

Ultimately, the ground game told the story. The Defenders rushed for 229 yards and controlled the tempo throughout, while Columbus struggled with penalties and turnovers in its home opener.

The Aviators will look to secure their first win next Sunday on the road against the Renegades at 12:00 PM ET on ABC.

The Pickerington North Boys Lacrosse season rolls on as the Panthers welcomed the New Albany Eagles to Panther Stadium on Tuesday night. Check out the sights from the contest and purchase a digital keepsake.

Your support helps us continue to provide quality images for student-athletes across Central Ohio.

Photo Gallery

Today, we’re diving into the growing buzz around the National Women’s Soccer League potentially landing in Columbus—and why that should have fans paying close attention.

But we’re also going to get into something a little more… uncomfortable. The involvement of the Haslam family—and let’s just say, it’s giving me a bit of a headache… or maybe just making my nose itch.

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Good evening from Nationwide Arena where I’m back on the beat with the Columbus Fury as they welcome the Orlando Valkyries to town. It’s been a grim season for the Fury as they sit in the cellar of Major League Volleyball with a record of 3-14 overall and 0-7 at home.

Columbus returns to action following a 3-1 loss at the hands of the Indy Ignite on March 19th and plays their first home contest inside the Arena District since a clash with the Omaha Supernovas two weeks ago.

The Fury and Valkyries convene for the fourth and final time this season, with the visitors winning two of the previous three matchups. A fun fact for Columbus fans, the Fury’s last victory came at the hands of Orlando on February 22nd, when they took home a 3-1 victory in Central Florida.

Orlando enters the contest as defending champions of MLV and sits fourth in the league standings with a 9-10 record.

Columbus players Raina Terry, Regan Pittman-Nelson, and Abby Walker have been selected to compete in the 2026 MLV All-Star Match. The All-Star Match will take place in Orlando on Saturday, March 28 at Noon ET and will be broadcast live on CBS network television and Paramount+.

I’ll be covering this contest for Columbus Wired. Head on over and support them as we will have plenty of coverage from this game.

Thanks for reading and supporting Arch City!

Ralph

Check out some of my images featured in a piece I did for Columbus Wired, as well as images not originally included in the gameday gallery.

Columbus Blue Jackets Gallery