25 Years of Growth: The Evolution of the WPSL, the Largest Women’s Soccer League

The Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) hit a significant milestone this year, being in its 25th season! From league expansion to fostering an unparalleled culture of growth and mentorship to future goals and ambitions, here’s what it means for the WPSL to be in its landmark 25th season. 

The Largest League in the Nation

When the league began in 1998, it only had six teams. Now the league is made up of over 130 teams. They are the longest-active women’s soccer league in the nation and see tremendous expansion with the addition of 20 to 30 teams each season. The WPSL’s growth has made it the biggest league in the United States in terms of quantity. 

Post-pandemic, the league has been accommodating and supportive, working tirelessly to bring teams back onto the field. “Once we got active and playing again, it seemed like everyone was excited to get back,” shared Nichole Singleton, WPSL Director of Communications and Creative Services. Teams that played pre-pandemic are continuing to return as the league continues to work to bring them back and grow alongside them. 

Not only does the league’s size set it apart, but it is an entirely independent league focused solely on the women’s game–a point of emphasis for the league’s founder, Jerry Zanelli. Zanelli passed away in 2018, but his legacy as a pioneer of the women’s game is embedded in the league. 

What Makes the WPSL Special?

The WPSL’s dedication to player development and mentorship is a hallmark of the league. With a wide player depth across the U21 and main-tier levels, collegiate athletes, seniors in high school, and post-graduate players all have the opportunity to thrive. 

The WPSL acts as a jumping pad for young players to grow, develop, and advance up the ranks. USWNT legend Alex Morgan played for the California Storm, Rose Lavelle played for the Dayton Dutch Lions in 2016, in 2017, Catarina Macario played for the San Diego SeaLions, and in 2019 Jaelin Howell played for Motorcity FC. 

WPSL alumni have gone on to play around the globe, from the Women’s Super League in England to Seria A in Italy to the A-League in Australia. They’ve become Ballon d’Or winners, UWCL Champions, Olympic Medalists, and World Cup winners.  

Not only is player development integral to the league, but the mentorship aspect, from the standpoints of players to coaches to owners, has also proven impactful and unique. 

After her World Cup run, Brandi Chastain played for the California Storm. Now, she serves on the Board of Directors for the team.

Notably, Brooklyn City FC is entering its second year, and its coach is the head coach for the men’s soccer team at NYU–one of the few women coaching men’s collegiate soccer–showcasing the progressive and groundbreaking nature of the league.

Only in the WPSL are these unique stories so abundant.

Goals for This Season and Beyond

As the league expands, more players will have the chance to experience this type of development and mentorship, fostering growth on and off the field. 

Looking to the future, the WPSL aims to expand its reach geographically. “Even though 130 teams sounds like a lot, the structure of our league manages it well,” said Singleton. The league aims to expand to states and regions where there aren’t yet teams. The talent and potential is there. It’s just a matter of tapping into it. 

In addition to adding teams, the WPSL has introduced a brand new ranking system and four new regional social media allowing for localized connection with fans. On social media, they’ve introduced new weekly focal points such as “Match of the Week” content to bring more excitement. 

“As far as covering the teams and covering the league, that’s where we’ve seen the most growth,” said Singleton, but bringing even more coverage each season is on the horizon. The league is focused on bringing in more support staff, including social media managers, videographers, writers, and photographers, to continue driving growth and enhancing coverage further. 

One of Singleton’s biggest goals is to cover players during the off-season. The league is actively working to cover the players’ stories and allow fans to connect their WPSL team players with their collegiate seasons.

As the WPSL celebrates its 25th year, it strives to showcase the league’s past, present, and future. Through a campaign on social media throughout this season and post-season, the league aims to highlight the journeys of former players, the current stars, and the promising talent on the rise, emphasizing its commitment to the continued growth and success of women’s soccer in the United States.

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