W-League to offer pro division

“Flexibility to our team and market demands has always been a strength of USL,” said USL Executive Vice President and COO Tim Holt. “Making changes to adapt to the needs of the soccer marketplace is a key component of USL’s management philosophy dating back to the USL’s founding and we take great pride in having been a leader in developing the sport, whether it be the lower divisions of the professional men’s game, the creation of national youth leagues or the launch of the most influential women’s developmental league in North America.”

“With the launch of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) occurring when several of our franchises are now fully capable of being professional themselves, we felt it was important to allow our franchises the opportunity to structure themselves in the manner that best fits their goals and objectives as a soccer club,” said Holt.