USL Super League

The USL Super League (USLS) is a planned Division II professional women's soccer league in the United States. The league will be owned and operated by the United Soccer League.[1] Originally planning to launch in August 2023, it is now slated to begin play in August 2024.[2]

USL Super League
Organizing bodyUnited Soccer League
FoundedSeptember 21, 2021 (2021-09-21)
First season2024–25
CountryUnited States
ConfederationCONCACAF
Number of teams12 (proposed)
Level on pyramid2 (Proposed)
Websitewww.uslsoccer.com/usl-super-league
Current: 2024–25 USL Super League season
United Soccer League divisions
Men's leagues
Women's leagues
Youth leagues

History

USL announced the formation of the Super League on September 21, 2021. Along with the pre-professional USL W League, which will start in 2022, the USLS is part of the creation of a full pathway for women's soccer.[3][4] Amanda Vandervort, former Chief Women’s Football Officer for FIFPro, the global player’s association, was appointed League President on October 12, 2021.[5]

In May 2022, United Soccer League announced that the Super League schedule will align with the "women’s international soccer calendar" with seasons running from August to June in order to "drive increased value."[6] To attempt to avoid the worst of winter weather, a mid-season break is planned.[7] The league hopes to field 12 teams in their inaugural season.[7] On January 31, 2022, MLS club D.C. United reversed their decision in establishing a club for the inaugural USL W League 2022 season, instead reportedly looking to join the USLS in the future.[8] On July 12, 2022, Santa Barbra Sky was announced as a USL expansion club, aiming to have a professional men's team in USL League One and a professional women's team.[9] On July 14, 2022, the USL announced a partnership with USL NOLA, a group which aims to bring a USL Championship team to the city by 2025 and a USLS team to New Orleans, Louisiana in the future.[10] On August 30, 2022, the USL announced that the JAXUSL ownership and executive group had acquired the rights to a USL Championship franchise in Jacksonville, Florida, to begin play by 2025 and a USLS team to begin play in the future.[11] On October 18, 2022, USL Championship club Memphis 901 FC announced their intentions to construct a new soccer-specific stadium and accompanying training facilities that would host their men's team and a potential professional women's soccer team.[12] On December 8, 2022, it was announced that USL League Two club Lane United FC acquired exclusive rights to pursue a Super League franchise in Lane County, Oregon.[13]

References
  1. "USL Announces New Professional Division II Women's Soccer League". uslsoccer.com. USLSoccer.com Staff. September 21, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  2. "USL Super League". uslsoccer.com/step-up.
  3. "USL announces new professional women's soccer league: USL Super League". espn.com. ESPN. September 21, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  4. "USL launching women's Division II league with 'commitment to gender equity'". theathletic.com. The Athletic. September 21, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  5. "Amanda Vandervort Named USL Super League President". uslsoccer.com. USLSoccer.com Staff. October 12, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  6. USLSoccer com Staff (March 15, 2022). "USL Super League to Align with International Women's Soccer Calendar and Kick Off in August 2023". USL Championship. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  7. "New women's USL league to play fall-to-summer". ESPN.com. March 15, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  8. Goff, Steven (January 31, 2022). "Steven Goff on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  9. USLLeagueOne com Staff (July 12, 2022). "Santa Barbara Sky FC to Join USL League One". USL League One. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  10. USLChampionship com Staff (July 14, 2022). "Local group aims to bring USL club to New Orleans". USL Championship. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  11. USLChampionship com Staff (August 30, 2022). "United Soccer League announces expansion plans for Jacksonville". USL Championship. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  12. "Memphis 901 FC Announces Plans for a New Soccer Specific Stadium". Memphis 901 FC. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  13. USLLeagueOne com Staff (December 8, 2022). "Lane United FC acquires exclusive rights to pursue professional USL franchises". USL League Two. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
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