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10 W League alums to watch in the USL Super League inaugural season

By USLWLeague.com Staff, 08/14/24, 10:30AM EDT

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Many former W League stars will make their debut in the Super League this weekend

The inaugural USL Super League 2024/25 season kicks off this weekend, and many familiar faces will take the pitch. More than 40 rostered Super League players formerly competed in the USL W League between 2022-2024. 

Here’s a look at 10 players you might recognize and where to follow along with them this season: 

Adelaide Gay – DC Power FC 

Adelaide Gay is one of the most experienced players on Power FC’s roster this season. The goalkeeper from New Jersey most recently competed with Asheville City SC in the W League where she posted a 4-1-1 record in her six starts. Gay has over 100 caps with various professional clubs in Iceland, and she also played three seasons at UNC, helping the Tar Heels win their 21st NCAA championship title in 2012. 

Alyssa Bourgeois – Spokane Zephyr FC 

Alyssa Bourgeois was a star for California Storm in the 2024 W League season, and now gets to shine with Zephyr FC. The fullback started eight matches and tallied two goals in 720 minutes played with the Storm. Bourgeois made 57 appearances for the Santa Clara Broncos from 2020-2023 and was the 47th pick of the 2024 NWSL Draft. 

Annika Creel – Carolina Ascent FC 

Defender Annika Creel played a crucial role in helping Indy Eleven win the 2023 W League title, bringing a great ending to a season where the team allowed only six goals and recorded 10 shutouts. Creel played three seasons with Butler University, where she started 53 of her 55 games played and was selected to the All-BIG EAST First Team all three years. Prior to joining the Super League, Creel played professionally in Sweden and in the NWSL. 

Jessica Garziano – Brooklyn FC 

From St. John’s and the Long Island Rough Riders to Brooklyn FC, Jessica Garziano will continue her incredible soccer career in her home state. In her five seasons at St. John’s Garziano earned numerous accolades including 2023 BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year, 4x All-BIG EAST selection, becoming the first St. John’s to player to ever record double-digit goals and assists in a single season, and the all-time St. John’s career assists leader (33). Garziano played the last two seasons with Long Island, helping them earn the Metropolitan Division title this year. 

Julie Mackin – Lexington SC 

Julie Mackin was a three-year starter for Greenville Liberty SC in the W League and played a key role in getting the team to the playoffs in the inaugural season. In her 29 matches played for Greenville, she recorded over 2000 minutes on the field, seven goals and five assists. Mackin’s impressive colligate career includes four seasons with the Clemson Tigers, earning honors such as CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team and All-ACC Academic Team. 

Katie Duong – DC Power FC 

The midfielder from Portland put her name on the W League map after an amazing season with Minnesota Aurora this summer. She recorded nine goals and 11 assists to earn Heartland Division Player of the Year and a W League Team of the Year First Team selection. Duong played three seasons at Stanford and has US Youth National Team experience, including competing with the team at the U-20 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers in 2020. 

Nia Christopher – Fort Lauderdale United FC 

Nia Christopher was one of Eagle FC’s standout players in the last two W League seasons, combining for 15 goals to help the team make the playoffs both years. Christopher recently finished her collegiate career at Towson University, where she is the program’s all-time leader in goals scored, game-winning goals scored and points. The forward has also earned eight caps and recorded six goals for the Bermuda National Team. 

Rachel McCarthy – Dallas Trinity FC 

Rachel McCarthy wrote her name in the W League history books when she scored the first-ever league goal – nine minutes into the match – with Indy Eleven back in 2022. She played 11 matches with the team that season before returning to BYU, where she had an impressive five-year career with the Cougars. She recorded 21 goals and 18 assists in 101 matches played. 

Sydney Martinez – Brooklyn FC 

The 2022 W League Golden Glove, Final MVP and League title-winner Sydney Martinez is sure to make her presence known in the inaugural Super League season. Following her summer with South Georgia Tormenta FC, Martinez signed her first professional contract with Norwegian club IK Grand Bodø. She’s also made multiple appearances with the Puerto Rico women’s national team, including at the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup. 

Wasila Diwura Soale – Tampa Bay Sun FC 

Another one of the players who were a part of the first W League season is Wasila Diwura Soale. The midfielder played all 12 matches and nearly every minute for Wake FC and recorded a goal and assist. She played three seasons with Louisiana State University, tallying five goals and six assists in 63 matches played, and she earned honors including All-SEC Second Team (2022) and NCAA All-Region Team (2022). Diwura Soale has also made multiple appearances for Ghana’s youth and senior national teams. 

Be sure to follow along with the Super League on Twitter/X and Instagram to keep up with these alums all season long.

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