Charlotte to get professional women's soccer franchise

PHOTO | PETER GLASER

Charlotte is one of eight markets selected for the new USL Super League, which kicks off in August 2024. The league seeks approval from U.S. Soccer Federation to operate at the Division I level, which would make it a peer to the National Women's Soccer League, which has a franchise in Cary, N.C.

Charlotte is one of eight markets for a new first-division women’s soccer league.

USL Super League will kick off in August 2024, with the Charlotte-based team the first women’s professional squad in the region. The league needs approval from U.S. Soccer Federation board of directors to play at Division I status along with National Women’s Soccer League, which has a franchise in Cary. Other franchise markets include Dallas/Ft. Worth, Lexington, Ky., Phoenix, Spokane, Wash., Tampa Bay, Tucson, Ariz., and Washington, D.C. More could be added later.

“We’re excited to bring top level professional women’s soccer to the western Carolinas,” said Jim McPhilliamy, managing partner of Empower Sports and Entertainment and founder of the Charlotte Independence. “The success of the US Women’s National Team has propelled the popularity of soccer in the United States, and we’re going to add to that momentum. Along the way, we’re proud to partner with the USL to expand playing, coaching and front office opportunities for so many deserving women.”

Earning Division I approval is contingent upon meeting USSF’s Professional League Standards for a women’s outdoor league, which include:

• A minimum of eight teams spread across at least two time zones

• At least three-quarters of teams must play in markets of at least 750,000 people, and

• A home stadium with minimum seating capacity of 5,000

Super League Carolina would tap into the Charlotte region’s status as a soccer hotbed, especially among women. Some of the top collegiate programs are within three hours’ drive and USL already operates the W League, a pre-professional women’s league that kicked off last year 2022 with 65 teams, including one in Charlotte under the Independence umbrella. USL Super League plans to tap into W League for players, coaches and club personnel.

In addition to a digital fan forum, Super League Carolina will host listening sessions with women and women’s soccer fans to learn more about branding possibilities, values and team names. The official club branding will be unveiled at a community event after an extensive fan input period.

“We are thrilled to have Carolina among the initial markets for the Super League,” USL Super League President Amanda Vandervort said in a statement. “Super League Carolina is unique as the club sits close to the North Carolina and South Carolina border, so women’s soccer fans from both states will now have more opportunities to celebrate the game they love at the highest level.”

The franchise is accepting 2024 season ticket deposits of $50 that guarantee first priority access to select seats. The first fans to make a deposit will receive a Super League Carolina branded t-shirt and decal.

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