New women's top tier league given green light by US Soccer

English Woman's Journal - New women's top tier league given green light by US Soccer

Weather - London 9°C

New women's top tier league given green light by US Soccer

SPORTS 09.02.2024

New women's top tier league given green light by US Soccer / Photo: Lachlan Cunningham - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File

The United States will have two different top tier women's leagues after the new USL Super League was given 'Division One' sanctioning by the US Soccer Federation on Friday.

Change text size:

The National Women's Soccer League has been operating since 2013 and its clubs have featured most of the USA women's team players as well as foreign imports.

The new league will operate independently from the NWSL and is part of the United Soccer Leagues structure which includes second and third division men's leagues.

While promotion and relegation does not exist in American soccer, US Soccer applies sanctioning for leagues based on their compliance with a series of standards.

"This is a tremendous moment for the USL Super League and for women's sports," said USL Super League president Amanda Vandervort.

"Receiving Division One sanctioning further showcases the work that our ownership groups, our clubs, and the league are doing to create a professional environment for top-level talent to compete."

"This is a crucial step toward realizing our vision to be a global leader in women's soccer on and off the field. We cannot wait to see our clubs take the field when we kick off in August 2024," added Vandervort.

The USL Super League's inaugural season will kick off in August with eight clubs including a newly announced team in Brooklyn, New York.

The league said that eight more clubs are building to join in future seasons when stadium development and other projects are completed.

Unlike the NWSL and the top tier men's Major League Soccer, which play on a spring to autumn calender, the USL Super League will play autumn to spring in line with European leagues.

USL also operates a number of lower divisions for women's football.

US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone welcomed the new arrival.

"The USL Super League is looking to grow the women's game and to expand the opportunities for women to compete at the highest professional level," she said.

"As with all our professional leagues, we look forward to collaborating with the USL Super League and extend our best wishes to the clubs as they gear up for the upcoming season this August."

D.Findlay--EWJ

Featured

FA Cup Second-Round Draw Confirmed for Non-League and Midlands Clubs

The FA Cup second-round draw has been finalized, setting up crucial ties for non-league teams aiming to reach the third round proper. Several clubs from the Midlands, including Burton Albion and Kidderminster Harriers, have secured their next opponents following recent victories over lower-league opposition.

Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium

The new Penrith Stadium is expected to be ready in time for the opening round of the 2027 NRL season, but it’s still likely the Panthers is expected to be on the road for their early matches. There is no delay to the build of the new $309 million venue but there’s a lack of appetite for risk around weather delays through the summer.

Virginia overwhelms Arkansas 91-72 behind balanced scoring

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thijs De Ridder scored 16 points, one of five players in double figures for No. 9 Virginia as the Cavaliers routed No.

Tayyab Arif hits 57 on Pakistan Test debut against Sri Lanka

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — Tayyab Arif smashed an aggressive half-century on debut and provided a new-look Pakistan lineup a confident start to the first cricket test against Sri Lanka on Monday. The 20-year-old Tayyab struck nine boundaries and a six in his 57-run knock as Pakistan reached 137-2 at lunch on a greenish wicket that lured Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis to bowl first after winning the toss.

Change text size: