WHAT IS THE USL W LEAGUE?
The USL W League is a pre-professional women’s soccer league set to kick off play in May 2022. It will serve as the nation’s premier pre-professional league developing the next generation of women’s soccer talent both on and off the field. The USL W League strives to use women’s soccer as a force for societal good by creating a national platform to increase opportunity, gender equity, and career development.
WHAT IS A PRE-PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE?
A pre-professional league is one in which all players competing have an amateur status. The USL W League will respect the amateur status of its players and focus on developing the next wave of elite talent while using best-in-class resources and infrastructure to bring elements of professionalism to this new opportunity for women’s soccer players. With the addition of the USL W League, the USL now operates two pre-professional leagues, the other being USL League Two on the men’s side.
WHY IS THE USL LAUNCHING A WOMEN’S LEAGUE?
USL owners from across the Championship, League One and League Two have for several years shared their desire for a women’s platform. This, combined with the fact that USL has been involved in the women’s game before made it an easy decision for league leadership. Further, the USL W League highlights USL’s commitment to investing in women’s sports, with the League and each of our member clubs uniting around our mission to increase gender equity and opportunity.
HOW DOES THE USL W LEAGUE FIT IN THE WOMEN’S SOCCER LANDSCAPE IN THE UNITED STATES?
The USL W League is a pre-professional league that enhances the women’s soccer pipeline between college and professional soccer by providing more opportunities for women to play, coach, and work in soccer. The League is collaborating with key stakeholders and organizations in the women’s game to collectively advance women’s soccer, and we believe the more opportunities there are for women’s players to compete at a high level, the better. As a pre-professional league, we are focused on developing the next wave of elite women’s soccer talent to support the growth of soccer at all levels. It is our goal to see USL W League alumnae competing in professional leagues and for their national teams as their careers progress – on the field, on the sidelines, and in the front office.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PLAY IN THE USL W LEAGUE?
The USL W League is a pre-professional league open to elite youth players, collegiate players, aspiring professionals, and former professionals. The League is focused on developing the next wave of elite talent in the women’s game while also respecting the amateur status of players in order to protect collegiate eligibility. The League welcomes participation from domestic and international players.
CLICK HERE for the official USL-W League Press Release
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