Woodbridge, VA & Tampa, FL — The United Soccer League announced today that Virginia Development Academy will join the USL W League beginning in the 2026 season.  

The Virginia Development Academy was founded in 2015 as a collaboration between two Northern Virginia clubs, now representing more than 8,000 players. The club’s mission is to become the destination for all soccer players in Northern and Central Virginia and to help all players reach their maximum potential. 

“We are excited to be joining the USL W League,” said Matt Lacey, VDA Technical Director. “Over the past five years we have been fortunate to have tremendous success in developing a girls program that can compete at a national youth level in team performances and player production. We now believe this is the right time for these players from our club to compete in the USL W League, which provides us with the best pre-professional platform in the country.”  

Focused on its key values of vision, collaboration, inspiration and accountability, VDA prides itself on creating an inclusive and diverse environment where players and coaches work together in the pursuit of excellence on and off the field. The club is committed to supporting the community and frequently hosts soccer outreach programs, food and soccer equipment donation drives, and other local service events. 

VDA has a history of developing players up to professional and international level, including multiple U.S. Youth National Team players and most notably former U.S. Women’s National Team defender Ali Krieger. By joining the W league, the club hopes to provide more competitive opportunities for women and make a clear pathway for talented players to reach the highest levels.  

“We are proud to announce VDA’s entry into the USL W League, a milestone that represents far more than soccer,” said Quan Phan, Executive Director. “This is about bringing Prince William County together through the world’s game. By joining the USL W League, we are creating a platform for talented women to compete at the highest level, while also inspiring the next generation of young players who dream of following in their footsteps.” 

The club will play its home matches at Howison Park in Woodbridge, VA, as a member of the Chesapeake Division.  

"VDA has a proven record of developing top talent, and its addition to the USL W League strengthens that pathway for players in Northern Virginia," said Joel Nash, USL SVP of Youth and Pre-Professional Properties. "The club’s commitment to opportunity, community, and excellence makes it a perfect fit for the league and an exciting step forward for women’s soccer in the region."  

To learn more about Virginia Development Academy, visit the club website, Instagram, Facebook, and X/Twitter.