Amanda Vandervort tabbed as first president of USL Super League

TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League today announced Amanda Vandervort as the first President of the USL Super League, the professional second division women’s soccer league slated to kick off in 2023.

An innovative sports executive with more than 20 years of experience across all levels of women’s and men’s soccer, Vandervort brings business acumen, leadership skills and industry relationships to the USL Super League and USL’s burgeoning women’s soccer pathway.

“We are delighted to welcome Amanda to the USL executive team as USL Super League President,” said USL CEO Alec Papadakis. “Amanda is one of the most accomplished soccer executives in the United States. Her expertise includes global women’s soccer matters, partnerships, marketing, league expansion, club strategy, grassroots initiatives, and business development. Just as importantly, Amanda’s perspective as a former player and coach aligns with the culture of our organization and that of our other senior executives.”

[+READ: USL Super League to become USA’s Division II women’s pro league]

As USL Super League President, Vandervort will lead all aspects of USL’s distinct youth-to-professional women’s soccer pathway, creating thousands of opportunities for players, fans, coaches and staff in the women’s game. Vandervort will work with communities, players, clubs and owners to build the USL Super League into a financially sustainable, globally recognized sports entity. Under Vandervort’s leadership, the USL Super League will entertain fans throughout the United States and abroad with a competition model featuring top domestic and international players.

“It’s such an exciting privilege to be in this position,” Vandervort said. “Together we’ll build a competitive environment for elite women players, coaches and referees at the professional level. We’ll create opportunities for fans to experience the women’s game in their local communities and provide value to those investing in this high-growth platform. I’m excited to be helping the USL realize the Super League’s potential and drive the women’s game forward.”

Vandervort joins USL after serving as Chief Women’s Football Officer of FIFPRO, the global player’s association, where she directed strategy, policy, and stakeholder relations. She was a prominent spokesperson on global women’s football matters and she co-authored the 2020 Raising Our Game Report, which placed player rights and conditions at the center of an overview on the growing women’s football industry.

Prior to joining FIFPRO, she worked at Major League Soccer as Vice President of CRM and Social Media and then as Vice President of Fan Engagement. In these roles, Vandervort developed the league’s social media roadmap and drove significant growth in fans, followers, and consumer data records. She led expansion club onboarding and consulted with club leaders on fan growth, business development, and strategic planning.

During her time at MLS, Vandervort also served as a Women’s Football Development Consultant for FIFA. In 2016, Vandervort was the fifth female President of United Soccer Coaches, the largest non-profit coaches’ association in the world, and earned Sports Business Journal Game Changer recognition.

Originally from Tucson, Ariz., Vandervort played at the University of Wyoming and later was Head Coach of New York University’s women’s soccer program for four years. Her coaching experience also includes youth and adult teams across the United States. She holds a U.S. Soccer “B” Coaching License and a Premier Diploma from United Soccer Coaches.

The USL Super League expects to double the number of professional women’s soccer teams in the United States when its inaugural season begins in 2023 and will apply for Division II sanctioning from U.S. Soccer in the coming months. The USL women’s pathway now includes the Super League, the pre-professional W League, the USL Academy and USL Super Y League.