May 16, 2023 – USL Super League (USLSL) – Lexington News Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Lexington Sporting Club is excited to officially announce its intent to bring professional women’s soccer to central Kentucky.
Led by Lexington Sporting Club owner Bill Shively and his wife, Donna Shively, along with business partner Stephen Dawahare, Lexington Sporting Club was announced today as one of the initial markets launching the USL Super League in 2024.
Inclusion in the Super League-which intends to launch as afirst division women’s professional league-will realize the club’s ambition to provide the full women’s soccer pathway, including a USL Academy team and a USL W League team. As part of its commitment to providing the best experience for the community, the club is currently working to bring a 6,500-seat stadium and a training and medical complex to the Commonwealth.
Today’s announcement includes the initial eight teams set to compete in 2024. Lexington joins Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix, Spokane, Tampa, Tucson, and Washington D.C.for the inaugural season.Following the 2024 campaign, the USL Super League will strategically expand its national footprint.
“Joining the USL Super League is one of the more significant milestones in Lexington Sporting Club’s history, since it allows us to have the pinnacle atop our integrated female pathway,” Dawahare said. “We have heavily invested in the female side of our sporting operations because we want the same opportunities to exist for women and men.Through elite platforms such as the USL W League, USL Academy and Girls Academy, to name a few, we’ve built a robust pathway for our players.”
The USL Super League will provide a differentiated experience that includes playing on the international calendar and operating a connected women’s pathway from youth to professional-a pathway which Lexington SC has already developed.The “fall-to-summer” calendar-unique in American soccer-aligns the Super League with the global game and prioritizes player welfare and performance.
The youth-to-pro pathway offers Super League teams an efficient way to identify and develop elite talent. Lexington SC is already participating in this pathway with female teams competing in elite platforms, including the pre-professional USL W League.
“We’re excited to share the initial group of USL Super League markets that will bring professional women’s soccer closer to home for fans and players across America,” said USL Super League President…
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