USL Super League

Last updated

USL Super League
USL Super League abbr light logo.svg
USL Super League.svg
Generic logo (top) and sponsor logo (bottom)
Organizing body United Soccer League
First season 2024–25
CountryUnited States
Confederation CONCACAF
Number of clubs9
Level on pyramid 1
Current champion(s) Tampa Bay Sun FC
(2024–25)
Current Players'
Shield		 Carolina Ascent FC
(2024–25)
Broadcaster(s) Peacock
Website gainbridgesuperleague.com
Current: 2025–26 season

The USL Super League (USLS), officially known as the Gainbridge Super League for sponsorship reasons, [1] is a professional women's soccer league at the highest level of the United States soccer league system, alongside the National Women's Soccer League. Organized by the United Soccer League (USL), it operates as its premier league for women above the pre-professional USL W League. It began play with the 2024–25 season.

Contents

The league consists of nine clubs who annually play four round-robins – two in the fall and two in the spring – to earn four places in a playoff tournament that determines the league's champion. Additional clubs are expected to join the league in the future. Clubs in the league have no cap on salaries or squad sizes, while minimum salaries are around US$35,000 to 37,000. There is no draft system, and squads are primarily built with free agents. The league's matches are streamed nationally on Peacock.

The USLS was established in September 2021 as part of an effort to develop a youth-to-pro pathway for women's players within the USL system. Initially planned as a division two league, numerous USL clubs explored fielding women's teams in the league, with eight markets being decided upon. The USL would later successfully seek division one sanctioning by U.S. Soccer, marking the first time that two leagues occupied the top tier of the United States women's soccer league system. As of the 2024–25 season, Tampa Bay Sun FC are the current champions, while Carolina Ascent FC are the current Players' Shield holders.

History

Embarking on the creation of a full pathway for women's soccer within their system, [2] [3] the United Soccer League (USL) established a professional women's league in 2021, and publicly unveiled it as the USL Super League in September of that year. [4] [5] Amanda Vandervort, former Chief Women's Football Officer for FIFPro, was appointed as the league's first president. [6] In the wake of the unveiling, D.C. United, [7] Lane United FC, [8] Memphis 901 FC, [9] Real Central New Jersey, [10] USL New Orleans, [11] and Santa Barbara Sky FC expressed interest in entering the Super League. [12]

In May 2023, the USL awarded Super League franchise rights to Carolina Ascent FC, Dallas Trinity FC, DC Power FC, FC Tucson, Lexington SC, Phoenix Rising FC, Spokane Zephyr FC, and Tampa Bay Sun FC for the inaugural season; and Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, Forward Madison, Indy Eleven, Oakland Soul SC, and Sporting Club Jacksonville for later seasons. [13] [14] FC Tucson and the Rising would later forfeit their franchise rights, citing unpreparedness for professional play. [15] Brooklyn FC and Fort Lauderdale United gained entry into the league in their place. [16] [17] U.S. Soccer granted the Super League its Division I sanctioning in February 2024, alongside the National Women's Soccer League. [18] The league's inaugural season kicked off on August 17, 2024 with two matches: an Ascent home victory against DC Power FC during which Vicky Bruce scored the league's first goal, and a Zephyr home tie with Fort Lauderdale. [19] [20]

Format

The USL Super League plays a "fall to summer" schedule, aligning with the traditional fall–spring domestic soccer season, but differing from the spring–fall schedule typically played by American soccer leagues. [21] [18] [22] A mid-season break is observed in order to avoid play in harsher climates during winter. [21] The Super League does not have a college draft, and clubs rely on free agents and transfers to build rosters. [5]

The team with the best record in the regular season wins the USL Super League Players' Shield. [23] After the regular season, the top four teams play a single-elimination playoff tournament, the winner of which is the league champion. [24]

Organization

Amanda Vandervort serves as the president of the USL Super League, while Missy Price serves as its vice president. [6] [25] Carrie Taylor is its vice president of operations. [26]

Teams

USL Super League
Transparent.svg
Transparent.svg
900km
559miles
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
Locations of teams in the 2025–26 season.
1
Brooklyn FC
2
Carolina Ascent FC
3
Dallas Trinity FC
4
DC Power
5
Fort Laurderdale United FC
6
Lexington SC
7
Spokane Zephyr FC
8
Sporting Club Jacksonville
9
Tampa Bay Sun FC
2025-26 USL Super League teams
TeamLocationVenueCapFirst
Brooklyn FC New York City, NY Maimonides Park 7,0002024-25
Carolina Ascent FC Charlotte, NC American Legion Memorial Stadium 10,5002024-25
Dallas Trinity FC Dallas, TX Cotton Bowl 90,0002024-25
DC Power FC Washington, D.C. Audi Field 20,0002024-25
Fort Lauderdale United FC Fort Lauderdale, FL Beyond Bancard Field ≈5,0002024-25
Lexington SC Lexington, KY Lexington SC Stadium 7,5002024-25
Spokane Zephyr FC Spokane, WA One Spokane Stadium 5,1002024-25
Sporting Club Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL Hodges Stadium 12,0002025-26
Tampa Bay Sun FC Tampa, FL Suncoast Credit Union Field 5,0002024-25
Future USL Super League teams
TeamLocationVenueCapFirst
Athletic Club Boise Garden City, ID Expo Idaho6,2252027-28 [27] [28]
New York Cosmos Paterson, NJ Hinchliffe Stadium 10,0002027-28 [29] [30]
Ozark United FC Rogers, AR Ozark United Stadium5,0002027-28 [31] [32]
Buffalo Pro Soccer Buffalo, NY TBDTBD [33] [34]
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC East Ridge, TN CHI Memorial Stadium 5,500TBD [35]
Forward Madison FC Madison, WI Breese Stevens Field 5,000TBD [36] [37]
Indy Eleven Indianapolis, IN Eleven Park 20,000TBD [38] [39]
Oakland Soul SC Oakland, CA Oakland Coliseum 15,000TBD [40] [41]
USL Palm Beach Palm Beach, FL TBDTBDTBD [42]

Timeline

Ozark United FC (women)New York Cosmos (women)Athletic Club Boise (women)Sporting Club Jacksonville (women)Tampa Bay Sun FCSpokane Zephyr FCLexington SC (women)FTL United FCDC Power FCDallas Trinity FCCarolina Ascent FCBrooklyn FC (USL)USL Super League

Seasons

List of USL Super League seasons
YearTPlChampionRunners-upPlayers' ShieldAtt.Top scorer
2024–25 828 Tampa Bay Sun FC Fort Lauderdale United FC Carolina Ascent FC 2,487 Flag of the United States.svg Thornton (13)

Broadcasting and sponsorship

NBCUniversal holds broadcasting rights for the USL Super League as part of a multi-year deal. It livestreams all matches on its subscription streaming service Peacock, with some matches simulcast on its NBC Sports NOW FAST channel. [43] [44] [45] Additionally, individual teams have sold packages of games to various local broadcasters, including over-the-air television stations and regional sports networks. [46] [47] [48]

Gainbridge owns the league's naming rights as part of a multi-year deal beginning in the 2025–26 season. [1] [49]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "United Soccer League and Gainbridge Announce Historic Naming Rights Partnership of USL Super League". United Soccer League. April 22, 2025. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  2. ↑ "USL announces new professional women's soccer league: USL Super League". espn.com. ESPN. September 21, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  3. ↑ "USL launching women's Division II league with 'commitment to gender equity'". theathletic.com. The Athletic. September 21, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  4. ↑ "USL Announces New Professional Division II Women's Soccer League". uslsoccer.com. USLSoccer.com Staff. September 21, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  5. 1 2 Yang, Steph (May 16, 2023). "USL announces new women's pro league to rival NWSL". The Athletic . Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  6. 1 2 "Amanda Vandervort Named USL Super League President". uslsoccer.com. USLSoccer.com Staff. October 12, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  7. ↑ Steven Goff [@soccerinsider] (January 31, 2022). "D.C. United will not field a team in the USL W League (women's amateur) this year. But sources say they are planning to have a team in the USL Super League (women's second-tier pro) starting in 2023. #dcu" (Tweet). Retrieved July 15, 2022– via Twitter.
  8. ↑ USLLeagueOne com Staff (December 8, 2022). "Lane United FC acquires exclusive rights to pursue professional USL franchises". USL League Two. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Memphis 901 FC Announces Plans for a New Soccer Specific Stadium". Memphis 901 FC. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  10. ↑ "USL AND REAL CENTRAL NJ SOCCER EXPLORING PROFESSIONAL SOCCER EXPANSION". Real Central NJ. November 7, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  11. ↑ USLChampionship com Staff (July 14, 2022). "Local group aims to bring USL club to New Orleans". USL Championship. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  12. ↑ USLLeagueOne com Staff (July 12, 2022). "Santa Barbara Sky FC to Join USL League One". USL League One. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  13. ↑ USLChampionship com Staff (August 30, 2022). "United Soccer League announces expansion plans for Jacksonville". USL Championship. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  14. ↑ "USL Super League Announces Initial Markets". USLSuperLeague.com. USL Super League. May 16, 2023. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  15. ↑ Cortez, Alexis (February 9, 2024). "Phoenix Rising FC not joining USL Women's Super League". AZ Family. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  16. ↑ "USL Super League Awards Franchise to Brooklyn for 2024/25 Inaugural Season". USLSuperLeague.com. USL Super League. February 9, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  17. ↑ Kassouf, Jeff (February 15, 2024). "USL Super League: What we know and what we don't ahead of August 2024 launch – Equalizer Soccer". The Equalizer.
  18. 1 2 "USL Super League Receives Division One Sanctioning from U.S. Soccer and Confirms Field of Teams for Inaugural Season". USLSuperLeague.com. USL Super League. February 9, 2024. Archived from the original on September 14, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  19. ↑ Wolcott, Nicky (August 17, 2024). "Carolina Ascent begins Charlotte run with a win over DC Power FC on opening night". Charlotte Observer . Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  20. ↑ Quinn, Andrew (August 17, 2024). "Spokane Zephyr F.C. earns draw in historic first match". KREM . Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  21. 1 2 "New women's USL league to play fall-to-summer". ESPN.com. March 15, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  22. ↑ "USL Super League". USL .
  23. ↑ "Carolina Ascent claims 2024/25 USL Super League Players' Shield". USL Super League. May 17, 2025. Archived from the original on May 22, 2025. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  24. ↑ "USL Super League Unveils Fall Schedule of Inaugural Season and League Competition Structure". USL Super League. May 30, 2024. Archived from the original on February 23, 2025. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  25. ↑ "United Soccer League Names Missy Price Vice President of Women's Soccer". www.USLSuperLeague.com. USL Super League. January 11, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  26. ↑ "USL Super League Names Carrie Taylor Vice President of Operations". www.USLSuperLeague.com. USL Super League. July 13, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  27. ↑ Archibald, Race (June 27, 2025). "Boise Pro Soccer reveals team name: Athletic Club Boise". The Idaho Press . Archived from the original on August 18, 2025. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  28. ↑ Lycklama, Michael (June 28, 2025). "Boise's new soccer team releases its name, colors, logo. How do you grade them?". Idaho Statesman . Archived from the original on August 18, 2025. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  29. ↑ Battista, Michael (February 14, 2025). "Professional soccer coming to Paterson's historic Hinchliffe Stadium". Hudson River Blue. Archived from the original on April 12, 2025. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
  30. ↑ Malinconico, Joe (February 18, 2025). "Paterson's Hinchliffe will be home to new men's, women's USL pro soccer teams" . Paterson Press . Archived from the original on July 11, 2025. Retrieved July 11, 2025. Two professional soccer teams will be playing their home games at Paterson's Hinchliffe Stadium, with a men's squad starting in 2026 and a women's club in 2027...
  31. ↑ Golden, Alex (August 14, 2025). "Marshall Islands and Ozark United teams to play first international matches". Axios . Archived from the original on August 18, 2025. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  32. ↑ Gill, Todd (March 26, 2025). "Ozark United FC releases stadium renderings, plans for entertainment district in Rogers". Fayetteville Flyer. Archived from the original on August 18, 2025. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  33. ↑ Fuss, Breanna (May 10, 2024). "New professional soccer team to come to Buffalo in 2026". Spectrum News 1 Buffalo . Archived from the original on May 1, 2025. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  34. ↑ Buckley, Eileen (July 4, 2025). "Buffalo Pro Soccer scraps plan to build new stadium at Elk and Lee Streets, will search for new home". 7 News WKBW . Archived from the original on July 23, 2025. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  35. ↑ Henley, Gene (May 16, 2023). "Chattanooga women's pro soccer team launching under USL Super League". Chattanooga Times Free Press . Archived from the original on September 20, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  36. ↑ Radcliffe, J.R. (May 17, 2023). "New top-tier professional women's soccer league to include team in Madison". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Archived from the original on May 17, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  37. ↑ Murphy, Eric (May 9, 2024). "Breese Stevens eyes new seats, new playing surface, to attract high-level sports". Isthmus . Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  38. ↑ Gruenling, Jessica (March 9, 2024). "Indianapolis investing in women's soccer, Eleven Park will be complete by 2026". WRTV Indianapolis . Archived from the original on December 1, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  39. ↑ Shuey, Mickey (March 20, 2025). "Indy Eleven eyeing MLS alternative as current league expands divisions" . Indianapolis Business Journal . Archived from the original on March 20, 2025. Retrieved April 4, 2025. The Indy Eleven franchise has already been awarded a top-tier women's soccer club through the USL Super League.
  40. ↑ DeBenedetti, Katie (January 23, 2025). "Oakland Roots and Soul Say They Want to Play in the Coliseum for Years to Come". KQED . Archived from the original on January 24, 2025. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  41. ↑ Reynolds, Cole (August 13, 2024). "Oakland Roots to play 2025 season at Coliseum, club announces". ABC7 News . Bay City News. Archived from the original on March 12, 2025. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  42. ↑ Wallace, Eric J. (December 14, 2023). "USL announces expansion men's and women's pro soccer teams for Palm Beach County". The Palm Beach Post . Archived from the original on April 12, 2025. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
  43. ↑ USLSoccer com Staff (June 13, 2024). "USL Super League and Peacock Ink Multiyear Media Rights Agreement as Part of New and Expanded NBCUniversal Streaming & Technology Partnership". United Soccer League. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  44. ↑ Gruenwedel, Erik (January 8, 2025). "NBCUniversal Rebrands NBC Sports FAST Channel to NBC Sports Now - Media Play News".
  45. ↑ "NBC Sports FAST Channel Rebranded to 'NBC Sports NOW' | Barrett Media". January 8, 2025.
  46. ↑ "Brooklyn FC Games Airing on SNY and Fan Activations". Brooklyn FC. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  47. ↑ Staff, WSOCTV com News (February 14, 2025). "TV64, Telemundo to televise Carolina Ascent games with new partnership". WSOC TV. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  48. ↑ Miller, Mark K. (July 8, 2025). "WPLG Miami Sets Multi-Year Broadcast Partnership With Fort Lauderdale United FC". TV News Check. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  49. ↑ "USL sells Super League naming rights to Gainbridge". Sports Business Journal. April 24, 2025. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.