About
The USL W League is a leader in pre-professional soccer in North America, developing the next generation of women's talent both on and off the field. The USL W League strives to use women’s soccer as a force for societal good by creating a national platform to increase opportunity, gender equity, and career development. The League and its member clubs are committed to investing in women’s soccer – through not only financial resources but also with time, energy, and attention – and are united in our mission to grow the women’s game.
The USL W League will serve as the nation’s premier pre-professional league developing the next generation of women’s talent both on and off the field, enhancing the women’s soccer pipeline between college and professional soccer. With 44 teams across 20 states in its inaugural season, the USL W League will bring elite women’s soccer to communities across the U.S., creating more opportunities to play, watch and work in the women’s game.
OMEN'S 
OCCER
Take a look back at the milestones that helped form the USL women's pathway
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2010
New era begins for the USL
Under new ownership, the league continues operations of the Super Y League and W-League, offering playing opportunities for girls and women across the United States.
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June, 2019
USL club owners indicate interest in women’s league
Further stimulating the USL’s interest in the women’s game, interest from club owners intensifies in summer 2019 as teams across the USL ecosystem share their desire to invest in the women’s game.
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August, 2019
Market research begins
USL begins the formation of a sustainable league model by conducting market research into the women’s soccer landscape.
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January, 2020
Discovery process begins
USL begins discovery process with key stakeholders in all levels of women’s soccer to provide insight and assistance in steering the direction of its women’s soccer strategy.
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February, 2020
Expansion conversations intensify for the pre-professional league
USL continues conversations with its clubs, focusing on level of interest, investment, and vision for a pre-professional women’s league
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May, 2020
Initial club commitments for the pre-professional league
USL gains initial commitments from clubs to participate in a pre-professional women’s league.
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January, 2021
USL hires first employee for women’s league
USL announces the appointment of Betsy Haugh as its Director of Women’s Soccer Operations.
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January, 2021
USL forms Gender Equity Subcommittee
As part of the USL’s IMPACT Committee, the USL forms its Gender Equity Subcommittee, a group that would prove to be instrumental in steering the direction of its women’s soccer strategy.
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February, 2021
First Gender Equity Subcommittee meeting
USL hosts its first meeting of the Gender Equity Subcommittee to assist with the direction of the women’s league, including mission, vision and brand.
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February, 2021
USL finalizes mission and vision for the new women’s pre-professional league
Mission: To use women’s soccer as a force for societal good by creating a national platform to increase opportunity, gender equity, and career development.
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April, 2021
Policy formation and legal processes for the W League
In preparation for the League’s announcement and continued team recruitment, USL focuses on policy formation and legal processes to set and uphold the League’s standards.
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May, 2021
USL W League finalizes first strategic partnership
Reinforcing the W League’s commitment to collaborating with key organizations and stakeholders who authentically represent the values and cultures associated with the women’s game, the USL finalizes a strategic partnership with Women In Soccer.
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May, 2021
USL hosts U17 Girls competition at the Academy Cup
USL welcomes 16 teams to compete in the U17 Girls Academy Cup in Tampa, FL, a significant step in the development of the USL’s female pathway.
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June 8, 2021
USL announces W League
In a defining moment for the USL in the women’s game, the USL W League is publicly announced, including the confirmation of eight initial members.
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June 23, 2021
USL announces Spokane
Following the announcement of a new 5,000-seat stadium in downtown Spokane that would become the home of a USL League One club, the United Soccer League announced its intention to bring a W League team to Spokane that could kick off as early as 2022.
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July 28, 2021
USL W League announces partnership with Soccer Resilience
Reaffirming its commitment to holistic player development, the USL W League announces sports mindset agency Soccer Resilience as its Official Sports Mindset Advisor.
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August, 2021
USL W League announces six more clubs
Continuing its confirmations of founding clubs for the League’s inaugural season, the USL W League announces six new members – Asheville City, Southern Soccer Academy, Morris Elite SC, Wake FC, Peachtree City MOBA, and Northern Virginia FC.
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September 21, 2021
USL announces the Super League
In a watershed moment for women’s soccer in the United States, the USL publicly announces the formation of a Division II women’s professional league, the USL Super League, set to kick off in 2024.
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September, 2021
USL W League announces four more clubs
As membership grows leading up to the league's inaugural season, the USL W League welcomes four new members - FA Euro, NY, Indy Eleven, NC Fusion, and South Carolina United.
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October 12, 2021
USL announces Amanda Vandervort as its President of the USL Super League
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.
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October 2021
USL W League adds three new clubs
The USL W League announces Chicago City SC, Midwest United, and the St. Louis Lions as its newest members.
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November 2021
USL W League adds six new clubs
Continuing expansion efforts in preparation for its inaugural season, the USL W League welcomes AFC Ann Arbor, Tampa Bay United, Florida Elite, AC Connecticut, Manhattan SC, and Westchester Flames.
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November 10, 2021
USL publishes Fan Survey results
The USL W League announces findings of its first-ever fan survey, covering topics such as soccer fandom and viewing habits, general fandom of women's sports and fan opinions about the new pre-professional league.
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November 19, 2021
USL W League announces its first player
South Georgia Tormenta FC announces Elise Holcey as the first player signing for the new USL W League.
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December 2021
USL W League welcomes eight new clubs
As expansion continues prior to the turn of the year, the USL welcomes eight new clubs to the W League: Detroit City FC, Chicago Dutch Lions, Green Bay Glory, Patuxent Football Athletics, Tennessee Soccer Club, Miami Athletic Club, and Kings Hammer FC.
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December 2, 2021
USL W League announces 30th club
The USL W League welcomes its 30th club, reaching its target number as set in June during the league's public announcement.
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December 13-15, 2021
USL hosts annual Winter Summit
USL W League clubs attend their first set of in-person meetings as part of the USL's annual Winter Summit in Tampa, FL.
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January 2022
USL W League Welcomes 8 new clubs
Expansion efforts continue into the New Year with the USL welcoming Flint City AFC, Kalamazoo FC, Cedar Stars, Caledonia SC, FC Miami City, Racing Louisville, Eagle FC, and NC Courage.
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January 11, 2022
Missy Price, PhD, joins the USL as Vice President of Women’s Soccer
Price will lead on-field initiatives for the USL’s youth-to-pro women's pathway and support USL Super League and W League Clubs in structuring their technical departments.
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January 31, 2022
USL W League Announces Division Alignment for Inaugural Season
The USL W League’s inaugural clubs are arranged into seven divisions for the 2022 season – the South Central, Great Lakes, Heartland, Metropolitan, Mid Atlantic, South Atlantic and Southeast.
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February 3, 2022
USL W League Releases Inaugural Season Schedule
The USL W League announces its 2022 season schedule, noting that over 220 games will be played.
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March 1, 2022
USL W League Adds McLean Soccer as Final Team of Inaugural Season
USL W League welcomes McLean Soccer as the 44th team to compete in the 2022 season, completing the Mid Atlantic Division.
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May 6, 2022
USL W League begins inaugural season
The USL W League kicks off its inaugural season with the first of 254 regular-season matches as Indy Eleven hosts Kings Hammer FC.
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