USL Super League receives USSF Division One status for women’s pro soccer competition
TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Super League confirmed it will compete at the highest level for professional women’s soccer in the United States, following the U.S. Soccer Federation’s approval of its Division One sanctioning application.
This decision aligns with the league’s commitment to the highest operational standards in bringing professional women’s soccer closer to home for more players, more fans, and more communities across the United States.
“This is a tremendous moment for the USL Super League and for women’s sports,” said USL Super League President Amanda Vandervort. “Receiving Division One sanctioning further showcases the work that our ownership groups, our clubs, and the league are doing to create a professional environment for top-level talent to compete. This is a crucial step toward realizing our vision to be a global leader in women’s soccer on and off the field. We cannot wait to see our clubs take the field when we kick off in August 2024.”
“Congratulations to the USL Super League on receiving its sanctioning as a Division One professional women’s soccer league,” said U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone. “The USL Super League is looking to grow the women’s game and to expand the opportunities for women to compete at the highest professional level. As with all our professional leagues, we look forward to collaborating with the USL Super League and extend our best wishes to the clubs as they gear up for the upcoming season this August.”
The USL Super League’s 2024/25 inaugural season will kick off in August with clubs in eight markets across the United States, including a newly announced team in Brooklyn, N.Y. The full field of teams for the inaugural season includes:
Brooklyn, N.Y. – Announced today, Super League Brooklyn brings professional women’s soccer to one of the world’s most influential cultural centers. The team is affiliated with Brooklyn Football Club, led by local businessman Matt Rizzetta and North Sixth Group, which has interests in professional soccer clubs in Europe and the United States; and will play its home matches at Maimonides Park in iconic Coney Island.
Carolina – Based in Charlotte, N.C., Super League Carolina will play its home matches in American Legion Memorial Stadium. The club has named Philip Poole, former goalkeeper coach for the U.S. Women’s National Team, as head coach.
Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas – Super League Dallas/Fort Worth is led by the Neil family, representing more than 40 years of real estate investment banking, current and former athletes, sports tech entrepreneurship, advertising, and decades spent in support of sports in North Texas.
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – Super League Fort Lauderdale is developing a stadium and on-site training facilities on the campus of Nova Southeastern University. The club has named former professional soccer player Tyrone Mears as head coach.
Lexington, Ky. – Super League Lexington has named former New Zealand national team player Michelle Rayner as women’s sporting director and Mike Dickey, who previously led the Jordanian Women’s National Team, as head coach. The club is building a new soccer-specific stadium and state-of-the-art training facilities for its youth and professional teams.
Spokane, Wash.: Spokane Zephyr FC – Spokane Zephyr FC is owned by Aequus Sports LLC, led by Ryan and Katie Harnetiaux. Katie Harnetiaux, former Amazon executive, also serves as Club President. The team will play at ONE Spokane Stadium, a new 5,500-capacity stadium located in the North Bank Arts and Entertainment District.
Tampa Bay, Fla.: Tampa Bay Sun FC – Tampa Bay Sun FC has named former FIFA referee and TV broadcast analyst Christina Unkel as Club President, and long-time collegiate coach Denise Schilte-Brown as Head Coach. The club will play its inaugural season at Blake Stadium, a waterfront venue near Tampa’s historic downtown district.
Washington, D.C. – Led by an ownership group inclusive of prominent community and business leaders from the DMV area in partnership with Major League Soccer’s D.C. United, the USL Super League club will add another exciting chapter to the region.
The strong pipeline of USL Super League clubs includes at least eight additional markets excited to join the league in future seasons: Chattanooga, Tenn.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Madison, Wisc.; Oakland, Calif.; Palm Beach, Fla.; Phoenix, Ariz., and Tucson, Ariz. These teams will take the field upon completion of stadium projects and other important club development initiatives.
The USL Super League will play on the international calendar and operate a connected women’s pathway from youth to professional. The “fall-to-summer” calendar – unique in American soccer – aligns the USL Super League with the global game and prioritizes player welfare and performance. The youth-to-pro pathway creates development and advancement opportunities for players, coaches, referees, and front office employees while uniting communities and growing the sport at all levels across the United States.
National partnerships, competition format and additional information about the USL Super League’s inaugural season will be announced in the coming weeks.
