TAMPA, Fla. — The USL Super League announced its women’s soccer team will call Tampa Bay home starting in August 2024. The team – which doesn’t has a name yet – aims to bridge the gap between men’s and women’s soccer in the U.S.
“This moment is part of a bigger movement,” said Amanda Vandervort, president of the USL Super League. “Women’s soccer today around the world is exploding. We’re seeing stadiums full of fans all around the world from England to across Europe, South America, here in the United States.”
Darryl Shaw, one of the team’s owners, said he ultimately wants to see the team play in Ybor City. Right now, the team is looking at a few options for next August, including building a temporary stadium in Ybor or playing the first season at an existing stadium in Hillsborough or Pinellas County, according to Shaw.
Regardless, leaders said the team is meant to inspire and unite the community.
Nelson Garcia, a youth soccer coach, said it will give his players a clear pathway to the highest level of soccer.
“It means that they can see it, they can experience the games and it makes it more real,” he said. “It gives them something to aspire to be when they can come to these games locally and grow up supporting now a club local that hasn’t happened before in the area.”
Mayor Jane Castor said the city is excited to welcome another team into the region – one that is breaking barriers and likely to draw in even more visitors.
“We’ve got champion after champion after champion and we are going to add women’s soccer to that list of champions in the Tampa Bay area,” Castor said.
The team wants the community to weigh in on the name and they’ll be taking suggestions until June 16th. You can click here to submit suggestions.