After over a year of anticipation, the brand new USL Super League is here! The first-division league will grow the game of soccer for women and girls all across the United States, both on and off the field. With the opening kickoff set for Saturday, August 17, let’s take a deeper look at everything you need to know as the inaugural season gets rolling.
Meet the Teams
Eight clubs will be taking the pitch for the inaugural 2024/25 season. More, along with Sporting JAX, are slated to join the league in the coming seasons. The league plans to be home to 20 teams by 2026, more than doubling the total number of American professional women’s soccer teams prior to launch.
Even with this smaller initial pool, there is nationwide reach. From the rolling hills of eastern Washington all the way to the sun-soaked coasts of Florida, there’s an exciting group of teams making up this season’s schedule. Speaking of the schedule, let’s take a look at how you can follow the league, along with some matches you won’t want to miss.
How to Follow
The USL Super League will be widely available to watch, with all matches being streamed live on Peacock. For soccer fans, there’s a decent chance you already subscribe, as it’s a major home to the English Premier League’s broadcasts here in the states. This is part of a multiyear media rights agreement with NBC Universal that the Super League announced in June.
In addition to match broadcasts, make sure to follow the USL Super League on social media platforms for updates and news. Sporting JAX won’t be playing this season, but we will provide coverage of the league’s happenings on our social channels and TV and radio broadcasts as well.
Sporting JAX will even be on-location for Sunday’s match in Tampa to film some of next week’s Sporting JAX Report! To watch, tune into WJXX ABC25 on Wednesday, August 21 at 12:30 p.m. If Wednesdays don’t work for you, there’s also reruns that air on Saturdays at noon on WTLV NBC12. Episodes are also archived on our YouTube channel, so there’s an option for everyone!
Matches to Watch
With a brand new league featuring brand new teams, it can be difficult to predict which matches will be the most exciting. However, there are still many to keep an eye on for a plethora of reasons. Let’s look at this weekend’s three matches and a few later down the road, all of which can be seen live on Peacock.
Carolina Ascent FC vs. DC Power FC
Saturday, August 17 at 7 p.m.
This one is perhaps the easiest to look forward to, largely because it’ll be the league’s first-ever game. Not only is it the catalyst that will get the ball rolling, but it also features two intriguing clubs who will battle for the bragging rights of being the USL Super League’s first-ever match winner. It will take place at the historic American Legion Memorial Stadium, featuring picturesque views of the Charlotte skyline. With its construction being part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, these players will look to add a new piece of history with a win on Saturday.
Spokane Zephyr FC vs. Fort Lauderdale United FC
Saturday, August 17 at 9 p.m.
Opening week also features a cross-country showdown as Spokane and Fort Lauderdale face off. Bermuda national Nia Christopher will look to lead the offensive charge for Fort Lauderdale, having already established herself as a talented footballer with the second-most goals in Towson University program history. Jacksonville natives may find some rooting interest in the club from the Pacific Northwest, though, as former UNF Osprey Thais Reiss suits up for Spokane. This is an area that loves soccer, so it will be an exciting way to cap off the league’s first night.
Tampa Bay Sun FC vs. Dallas Trinity FC
Sunday, August 18 at 7 p.m.
Admittedly, there may be a hint of Sunshine State rooting interest for the time being, but that’s only until Tampa Bay Sun FC becomes a rival of Sporting JAX. Opening weekend rolls into Sunday in a market that has served as a bastion of USL soccer, both with the Championship’s Tampa Bay Rowdies and the league’s corporate offices. Former Australian A-League Women Golden Boot winner Hannah Keane and teammates will look to break through a Dallas defense anchored by NWSL veteran and two-time NCAA champion Amber Brooks. All of this while overlooking the Tampa waterfront? Sign us up!
Moving on from opening weekend, there’s still plenty of exciting fixtures to look forward to. As storylines develop and games are played, though, some others may also become particularly intriguing. Here’s a few in the earlier stages of the season for now, though.
Brooklyn FC vs. Carolina Ascent FC
Saturday, August 31 at 7:30 p.m.
The last Saturday in August marks the first-ever match for Brooklyn FC. While the club will also field a USL Championship in the future, the Super League squad will have the honor of playing its inaugural match. Their Coney Island home of Maimonides Park will provide excellent scenery, along with bringing USL soccer to the largest market in the country. As for the match itself, it will be interesting to see if Carolina Ascent FC can use the gained experience from their first few games to outmatch a Brooklyn side that will truly be brand new.
Dallas Trinity FC vs. DC Power FC
Friday, September 7 at 8:00 p.m.
This match takes us to the historic Cotton Bowl, where these two squads will battle under the lights. Both have plenty of young talent that will be vying to cement themselves as league stars, and a match like this could be a great opportunity to create that narrative. There’s just something special about Friday nights under the lights in Texas.
There’s palpable excitement going into this weekend, but this is just the beginning for the USL Super League. This will serve as a great outlet for growing the women’s game and creating more opportunities and pathways for today and tomorrow’s women footballers. Sporting JAX is excited to see this league grow throughout its first season and can’t wait for the day that we begin play in it. Until then, we encourage you to follow along at home and at the pitch if you happen to live near any teams. Here’s to a great first season!
