The United States soccer system is evolving. Getting paid to play soccer in the United States really leaves just two options: through a National Team or the NWSL. That’s about to change. Starting in 2023 is the USL Super League.
On Tuesday, the USL took another step in their equitable soccer journey. The USL announced a second division, fully professional, women’s soccer league. Technically, the USL Super League will sit below the NWSL on the US Soccer pyramid, who holds division one status.
The Super League’s 2023 start adds 10 more ways for soccer players to continue their careers college, according to a league statement.
“The USL Super League expects to double the number of professional women’s soccer teams in the United States when its inaugural season begins in 2023.” Currently, that number sits at 10 NWSL teams, which will soon be 12 with the 2022 inauguration of Angel City FC and San Diego NWSL.
The statement doesn’t outline any teams that’ll join the league. In an interview with The Athletic, USL’s Betsy Haugh, the director of women’s soccer operations, shared that it won’t be all USL men’s teams in the hunt. Non-league owners are also in the running to start a franchise. Time will tell where these new teams land.
Pay Structure
Something the league does boast is an equal pay structure to the USL men’s divisions. The USL Championship, the highest level of their men’s soccer, pays a minimum of $20,000 per year. The NWSL’s pay structure is slightly higher at $22,000. That number will change. Currently, collective bargaining between the NWSL players association and league owners may bring a player increase.
Early signs are that the Super League won’t pay more than the NWSL. However, it does provides players the chance to prove their ability without having to play overseas; and get paid to do it. In the current system, players on the edge of their team’s roster normally get loaned to, or sign with, overseas clubs.
Division II Competition
However, the USL Super League isn’t the only upstart looking to secure division two status in US Soccer. In 2022, the Women’s Independent Soccer League begins, although they currently have one team; the L.A. Force. The Force are also a men’s team, but with the slightly lesser known National Independent Soccer Association.
Comparing the two leagues, the Super League has a big advantage in the current USL men’s structure and their growing women’s pathway to professionalism. Below the professional rank is the Girls Super Y League, the Girls USL Academy, and the USL W League. While the Girls Super Y League and Girls USL Academy each work with younger players, the USL W League’s kickoff in 2022 will rival amateur leagues like the Women’s Premier Soccer League.
The W League will feature collegiate players, academy standouts and more experienced players that didn’t go pro.
With that structure from youth to professional in place, the USL Super League has a strong opportunity to help an already growing women’s soccer to another level.
Find out more about the USL Super League on their league website. Follow Beyond Women’s Sports for more from the world of soccer, basketball and anywhere you find women’s sports. You can follow Thomas Costello on Twitter @1ThomasCostello.
