Former Atlanta United Executive Lucy Rushton Named Columbus NWSL General Manager

Lucy Rushton is once again returning to the business of building a soccer club from the ground up. The upcoming Columbus NWSL club announced Friday that the former Atlanta United executive has been named the first general manager in club history. Columbus will begin play in 2028, the same year Atlanta City FC enters the league.

Rushton joined the Five Stripes in 2016, more than a year before the club played its first MLS match, and helped establish the recruitment and scouting operations that contributed to Atlanta’s success on. Now, a decade later, she will be helping one of Atlanta’s future NWSL opponents prepare for its inaugural season.

Launching Atlanta United

When Lucy arrived in Atlanta in January 2016, there was no first-team roster. Darren Eales was serving as club president, Carlos Bocanegra was technical director, and Atlanta United was preparing for its first MLS season in 2017.

Rushton had spent eight years working as a senior performance analyst at Reading FC in England. Atlanta brought her in to lead its technical recruitment and analysis operations, combining statistical research, video analysis, and traditional scouting to identify players who could fit the club’s plans. Atlanta needed to understand MLS roster rules, salary restrictions, and the various mechanisms available to acquire players. The club studied previous expansion teams, successful MLS rosters, and international markets to determine how to build a competitive team.

In an April 2016 interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Eales explained the importance of her work.

Rushton worked alongside Bocanegra and the club’s scouting personnel, helping establish a recruitment process that considered both statistical information and what scouts observed on the pitch. By the time Atlanta played its first match in March 2017, the club had assembled a roster that included Miguel Almirón, Josef Martínez, Tito Villalba, Michael Parkhurst, and would soon land Brad Guzan. Atlanta United reached the MLS Cup Playoffs in its inaugural season, won MLS Cup in 2018, and followed that with the U.S. Open Cup in 2019.

Lucy’s work was turning heads. and in 2021, she left Atlanta United to become the General Manager of D.C. United.

From Atlanta to the NWSL

Rushton’s move to D.C. United made her just the second woman in MLS history to hold the general manager position. There, she was responsible for the club’s technical operations, including recruitment, scouting, and roster management. She left D.C. in October, 2022 and joined Bay FC as General Manager of the new club.

This time, she took on the NWSL. Bay FC was preparing for its inaugural 2024 season, and Rushton was responsible for assembling the roster and developing the sporting organization. Under her leadership, Bay FC recruited players from seven countries.

Rushton resigned in June 2024, midway through Bay FC’s first season. The club did not announce a specific reason for her departure. Although the club were in 11th of 15 that June, and the club reportedly was having communication issues with the head coach.

Following her departure, she worked as a independent consultant and strategic advisor for Gotham FC and the Portland Thorns, focusing on long-term planning, scouting, and recruitment.

Columbus NWSL

Columbus has now entrusted Rushton with building their first roster. Her responsibilities will include roster strategy, scouting, recruitment, player performance, and the development of the club’s sporting staff. She will report to Tim Bezbatchenko, president of global soccer for Haslam Sports Group. Bezbatchenko previously served as general manager of Toronto FC and president and general manager of the Columbus Crew.

In announcing the appointment, Columbus leadership repeatedly emphasized Rushton’s experience working with expansion teams.

Columbus will play its home matches at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field., the home of the Columbus Crew, and plans to construct a dedicated training facility ahead of the 2028 season.