Kicking off in 2022, the USL W League will strengthen the women’s soccer pipeline in the United States and support the development of the USL’s female pathway, offering an elite senior team platform committed to providing more opportunities for women both on and off the field. To learn more about the USL W League and its mission to increase opportunity, gender equity, and career development, please review the FAQs below or visit the USL W League website.

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.

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. This new era of the USL W League supports the development of the USL’s female pathway, complimenting the League’s youth offerings in the USL Academy Cup and Super Y League.

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.

HOW WILL THE USL W LEAGUE PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WOMEN’S GAME?

With the goal of 30 teams in its inaugural season, the USL W League will provide more than 750 opportunities for women to play, coach, and work in elite women’s soccer, as well provide fans across the country with more access to the women’s game. The USL W League will also provide more opportunities for women to remain in the sport once their playing careers are over by offering professional education in coaching, talent identification, club operations, front office management and others area of the business.

WHEN WILL THE USL W LEAGUE BEGIN PLAY?

The USL W League will kick off in May 2022.

WHAT DOES THE “W” STAND FOR?

The W represents the League’s mission to elevate and empower women, celebrating the continued advancements of women’s sports while acknowledging the work still to be done. The W is at the heart of the League’s branding, in name and tagline, reaffirming our commitment to investing in and supporting women.

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.