The Pathways to Become a Pro Women’s Soccer Player

The chances of playing pro women’s soccer may be slim, but where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Among professional soccer players, 22.9% are women, and 72.1% are men. As you can see, more opportunities exist for male soccer players than for women. However, professional women’s soccer is growing worldwide, especially here in the United States. As a result, opportunities are growing for young players to grow in the game. New professional leagues are being developed, and current leagues are expanding.

Being in the “Know”                      

What does it take to be a professional soccer player?

Talent? Of course. Ball skills and conditioning are necessary to rise to the top.

Understanding the game? Yes. You must have a high soccer I.Q. to grasp the strategy and systems of playing the game.

Motivation? Absolutely. Without motivation, you will not have the drive to pursue your dreams.

Furthermore, you should have quality coaching, tough competition, a strong support system, and, very often, the right connections. By understanding the pathways to play professionally, you increase your odds of achieving your dream.

So the Journey Begins

All professional players started their journey by learning the basics and building strong foundational skills. Soccer development begins with playing youth soccer, joining travel teams, and attending camps.

As you gain proficiency on the pitch, joining elite developmental programs, academies or leagues can help you develop your game.

The Olympic Development Program was created to identify players of the highest caliber and provide opportunities to facilitate their development. Many women soccer players have come through the ODP pipeline to play internationally and professionally, such as Abby Wambach and Heather Mitts.

The ECNL, Elite Clubs National League, is another resource for U-14 through U-17 age groups. The ECNL is considered one of the top female youth development programs in the United States.

Many elite players also try out for U.S. Youth National teams. This is a great way for young soccer players to get a taste of whatU.S.S Soccer is and learn and grow under the structure. In addition, the USYNT plays other countries’ youth teams, so players are getting a ton of valuable experience that will help them play in college and beyond.

In addition, several other high-performance soccer academies exist throughout Europe and the United States.

Playing Collegiate Soccer

The most common professional pathway in the United States is playing collegiately. With 338 Division I soccer programs, collegiate soccer provides development, visibility, and connections. College soccer especially seems to be the path for women’s soccer players. Previously there have not been many opportunities–or at least ones that are fiscally feasible–for women to turn pro earlier than college.

Collegiate soccer creates a pool of potential draftees for the National Women’s Soccer League. Each year, the NWSL conducts a four-round draft where the ten teams select a player per round. Approximately 30 of the 40 drafted players will land professional roster spots.

Playing Abroad

There are also numerous women’s soccer leagues abroad, such as Barclay’s FA Women’s Super League or France’s D1 Fémenine. In addition, new professional soccer leagues, such as the WE Soccer League in Japan, and the A-League in Australia, are creating new opportunities for women worldwide.

More Developments in the Works

The USL W League, a pre-professional women’s soccer league that began in 2022, creates an additional pathway to the pros. So far, there are around 20 teams that have registered for the league. In 2023, the USL Super League, a second-division professional women’s soccer league, is expected to start play. The announcement of the USL Super League is particularly exciting since it announced competitive wages and a large pool of teams.

To play women’s professional soccer, you need dedication and drive. Women’s soccer is expanding quickly and gaining more traction every day. Becoming a pro women’s soccer player takes motivation and talent, but the pathways to turn pro that are being created help players grow every step of the way.

Featured image via @USYNT on Twitter

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