May 16, 2023 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Forward Madison FC News Release
TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Super League is thrilled to announce the initial group of markets that will make world-class professional women’s soccer accessible for more players, more fans, and more communities across the United States.
Set to kick off in August 2024, the USL Super League intends to launch as a first division league, reflecting its commitment to the highest standards in American soccer and a collective vision to be a global leader in women’s soccer on and off the field. The USL Super League will follow U.S. Soccer’s sanctioning process.
The USL Super League helps address the opportunity gap between men’s and women’s professional soccer in the United States, home of the world’s most successful women’s national team. There are currently 101 professional men’s soccer teams and 12 professional women’s soccer teams in the United States.
“Today marks a major milestone for the United Soccer League as we take another step in building an integrated women’s soccer network unlike any other,” USL CEO Alec Papadakis said. “Our aim is to make the USL Super League globally recognized and admired for its financial stability, operational excellence, community building and high-level competition. We are establishing and growing our national footprint while ensuring that all our teams are owners or primary tenants of a soccer stadium. We are aligning our calendar and roster rules with the global game.
“With these objectives in mind, we will continue to demonstrate our commitment to equitable treatment of our men’s and women’s pathways, ultimately featuring clubs competing in all divisions and bringing soccer closer to home in markets across the entire country,” Papadakis said. “The USL Super League will sit at the top of our women’s pyramid with strong ownership groups, modern stadiums, and passionate fans that will deliver immediate viability and long-term sustainability.”
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. The “fall-to-summer” calendar – unique in American soccer – aligns the USL Super League with the global game and prioritizes player welfare and performance. The youth-to-pro pathway creates development and advancement opportunities for players, coaches, referees, and front office employees while uniting communities and growing the…