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WPSL PRO

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

WPSL PRO
Organizing bodyWomen's Premier Soccer League
Founded2023
CountryUnited States
ConfederationCONCACAF
Number of clubs12
Level on pyramidDivision III
Websitewpslpro.com

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.

History

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Women'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

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Current Teams

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Teams 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 Mexico Rogerio Celaya
Georgia Impact FC Atlanta, Georgia Tommy Baker Field 2025 Scotland Robert Roddie
Indios Denver FC Denver, Colorado 2019 2025
Northeast Ohio Cleveland, Ohio 2024 2025
Oklahoma City FC Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Mustang High School 2007 2025 United States Daniel Gibson
Sioux Falls City FC Sioux Falls, South Dakota Bob Young Field 2022 2025 United States Dale Weiler
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 United States Casey Loyd
The Town FC Moraga, California Saint Mary's Stadium 2025
Wichita WPSL PRO Wichita, Kansas 2024 2025

Future teams

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Team City Stadium Capacity Founded Joining
Dakota Fusion FC Moorhead, Minnesota Jim Gotta Stadium 3,000 2016 2026

Location map

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WPSL PRO is located in the United States
AC Houston Sur
AC Houston Sur
Georgia Impact FC
Georgia Impact FC
Indios Denver FC
Indios Denver FC
WPSL NE Ohio
WPSL NE Ohio
WPSL SoCal
WPSL SoCal
Soda City FC
Soda City FC
SouthStar FC
SouthStar FC
WPSL Wichita
WPSL Wichita
WPSL PRO
Current club Future club

League leadership

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Title Name
President Sean Jones
Vice president DeBray Ayala
Vice president Brad Lund
Commissioner Kendra Halterman

References

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  1. ^ "The WPSL announces new professional Division III women's soccer league". Women's Premier Soccer League. February 28, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  2. ^ "Sioux Falls City FC joins professional league". Dakota News Now. August 23, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  3. ^ "WPSL Pro moves into next phase with five teams signing LOIs". Women's Premier Soccer League. August 22, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  4. ^ "WPSL PRO: Georgia Impact submits LOI". Women's Premier Soccer League. February 6, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "WPSL Pro moves into Northeast Ohio ahead of 2025 launch". WPSL Pro. July 11, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  8. ^ "Pro's tenth LOI market widens league footprint on Atlantic Coast". WPSL Pro. August 23, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  9. ^ "WPSL PRO receives official Letter of Inten from sports investment group in Wichita". WPSL PRO. September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  10. ^ "WPSL PRO secures Denver market with twelfth LOI submission". WPSL PRO. September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  11. ^ "THE LOI MARKET REACH EXPANDS TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOR WPSL PRO". WPSL PRO. September 24, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  12. ^ "Teams". WPSL Pro. Retrieved August 30, 2024.