The WPSL PRO is a planned professional women's soccer league at the third level of the United States league system, setting two levels below the National Women's Soccer League and USL Super League.
| Organizing body | Women's Premier Soccer League |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2023 |
| Country | United States |
| Confederation | CONCACAF |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Level on pyramid | Division III |
| Website | wpslpro |
History
editWomen's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) announced the formation of the WPSL PRO on February 8, 2023. The league is planned as a Division III Professional League, that will start in 2025. The WPSL announced that WPSL PRO will help provide new avenues of development for players, coaches, and staff. The league plans for ten teams the first year, with a goal of 24 teams by 2030.[1]
In August 2023, WPSL PRO announced they had received their first five letters of intent (LOIs). The teams were Oklahoma City FC, Sioux Falls City FC,[2] SouthStar FC, Austin Rise FC, and The Town FC.[3] In February 2024, Georgia Impact FC signed their LOI, becoming the sixth team to do so. With Georgia Impact FC joining WPSL PRO, it will become the first team with a youth to professional pipeline in the league. In addition, by becoming the sixth team, Georgia Impact FC puts the WPSL PRO in a position to meet the minimal sanctioning guidelines.[4] Later in February 2024, AC Houston Sur signed a LOI with WPSL PRO, becoming the seventh overall team and third team from Texas to commit to the new league.[5] Two days later, WPSL PRO announced the eighth team has signed the LOI, welcoming Dakota Fusion FC to the league. Dakota Fusion FC is the first team to announce they would officially start in the 2026 season.[6] In July 2024, WPSL PRO announced they had received their ninth LOI from a group led by Gina Prodan Kelly to set up a team in Northeast Ohio.[7] In August 2024, WPSL PRO received their tenth LOI from Soda City FC, announcing their intent to bring a professional women's soccer team to South Carolina.[8] In September 2024, WPSL Pro announced three more LOIs, the first from Wichita, Kansas, the second Indios Denver FC from Denver, Colorado, and the third from Southern California.[9][10][11]
Teams
editCurrent Teams
editTeams planned to launch in the following markets for the 2025 WPSL PRO League season.[12]
| Team | City | Stadium | Capacity | Founded | Joining | Head coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Houston Sur | Houston, Texas | 2021 | 2025 | Jonathan Giraldo | ||
| Austin Rise FC | Austin, Texas | House Park | 6,000 | 2023 | 2025 | |
| Georgia Impact FC | Atlanta, Georgia | Tommy Baker Field | 2025 | |||
| Indios Denver FC | Denver, Colorado | 2019 | 2025 | |||
| Northeast Ohio | Cleveland, Ohio | 2024 | 2025 | |||
| Oklahoma City FC | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Mustang High School | 2007 | 2025 | ||
| Sioux Falls City FC | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | Bob Young Field | 2022 | 2025 | ||
| SoCal WPSL Pro | Southern California | 2024 | 2025 | |||
| Soda City FC | Columbia, South Carolina | 2018 | 2025 | |||
| SouthStar FC | Addison, Texas | Mean Green Soccer Stadium | 2019 | 2025 | ||
| The Town FC | Moraga, California | Saint Mary's Stadium | 2025 | |||
| Wichita WPSL PRO | Wichita, Kansas | 2024 | 2025 |
Future teams
edit| Team | City | Stadium | Capacity | Founded | Joining |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota Fusion FC | Moorhead, Minnesota | Jim Gotta Stadium | 3,000 | 2016 | 2026 |
Location map
editLeague leadership
edit| Title | Name |
|---|---|
| President | Sean Jones |
| Vice president | DeBray Ayala |
| Vice president | Brad Lund |
| Commissioner | Kendra Halterman |
References
edit- ^ "The WPSL announces new professional Division III women's soccer league". Women's Premier Soccer League. February 28, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ "Sioux Falls City FC joins professional league". Dakota News Now. August 23, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ "WPSL Pro moves into next phase with five teams signing LOIs". Women's Premier Soccer League. August 22, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ "WPSL PRO: Georgia Impact submits LOI". Women's Premier Soccer League. February 6, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ "AC Houston Sur expands WPSL PRO's reach in Texas as third club to submit LOI ahead of 2025 Launch". WPSL Pro. February 20, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ Ostler, Gabriel (February 29, 2024). "Dakota Fusion FC Looks to Bring Professional Women's Sports to Fargo-Moorhead". Valley News. Fargo, North Dakota. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ "WPSL Pro moves into Northeast Ohio ahead of 2025 launch". WPSL Pro. July 11, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ "Pro's tenth LOI market widens league footprint on Atlantic Coast". WPSL Pro. August 23, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ "WPSL PRO receives official Letter of Inten from sports investment group in Wichita". WPSL PRO. September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ "WPSL PRO secures Denver market with twelfth LOI submission". WPSL PRO. September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ "THE LOI MARKET REACH EXPANDS TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOR WPSL PRO". WPSL PRO. September 24, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
- ^ "Teams". WPSL Pro. Retrieved August 30, 2024.