When NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman revealed the league’s future growth plans, she described them as “ambitious and aggressive.” Having kicked off in 2013 with just eight teams, it is set to feature 16 clubs by 2026. And in the years to follow, the league expects to expand to 30 teams—mirroring the size of the men’s game—a target Berman once claimed there’s “no reason” they couldn’t surpass. In fact, Cleveland was the latest city to chase a coveted expansion team, but their bid ultimately fell short — or so it seemed. Now, there’s a twist: the city is getting a club, but not in the NWSL. Instead, it will compete in an entirely new US Soccer league!
Yes, you heard that right. For the first time, the women’s soccer landscape in the United States is set to feature a second division ranked below the National Women’s Soccer League. Named the Women’s Professional Soccer League (WPSL Pro), the new competition is expected to launch sometime in late 2025, according to an announcement reported by ESPN. Interestingly, the original plan was to introduce it as a third-division league. However, the stakeholders ultimately decided to ‘scale up and fill a gap in U.S. Soccer’s pyramid.’
Sean Jones, co-founder of WPSL Pro addressed the launching saying, “WPSL Pro is the bridge that’s been missing — not just for players, but for the communities, investors, and brands ready to be part of the next chapter in women’s sports.”
(This is a developing story…)
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