The United Soccer League (USL) is launching the USL Super League, a fully professional women’s soccer league set to kick off in 2023. The second division league will sit above the USL W League and below the NWSL.
Through its formation, the USL Super League will expand the USL’s pathway for women. It will also build upon the structure and standards already set within the USL men’s leagues.
“We aim to make the USL Super League globally recognized and admired for its community-building, operational excellence, financial sustainability, and high level of competition,” said USL CEO Alec Papadakis. “With these objectives in mind, we deepen our commitment to equitable treatment of our men’s and women’s pathways.”
In the lead up to its inaugural season, the Super League expects to double the number of professional women’s soccer teams in the United States. This means the league will have a comparable amount of teams to the NWSL.
“In our country there are seven times as many professional soccer teams for men than there are for women,” said Betsy Haugh, USL Director of Women’s Soccer Operations. “We are going to improve that ratio, and we invite players and fans to join us in building a new, outstanding level of women’s soccer.”
The new league will also complement the USL W League. Taking to the field in 2022, the pre-professional USL W League will work closely with the Super League. Together, the two leagues will unlock opportunities for players participating in the USL’s youth leagues.
The Super League has not yet applied for sanctioning from the US Soccer Federation. Yet, the league plans to do so in the coming months.
In the meantime, fans can expect many announcements from the USL women’s pathway. After all, the W League kicks off its inaugural season in May.