US Soccer Legend Heather Mitts Launches Bid to Bring Women’s Pro Soccer to Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (Wednesday, October 11, 2023) - Three-time Olympic gold medalist and Philadelphia area resident, Heather Mitts, has launched a bid to bring women’s pro soccer back to her adopted city.
“Our vision is not just to bring a topflight women’s professional team to this great sports city, but to build a complete player pathway from youth to the pros that embraces the global game,” said Mitts. The USL network of leagues ideally aligns with the group's vision for the future of women's soccer.
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Set to launch in August 2024, the Super League will be the first professional soccer league in the United States to operate on the international calendar, with matches from fall through spring. The USL already operates girls’ academy and women’s pre-professional national leagues, in addition to its successful men’s leagues. “We have our sights set on being a part of their second season,” added Mitts.
American professional soccer leagues operate through the summer months which means national team players are lost for extended periods due to international competitions, such as the World Cup and Olympics. “The coaches can’t build a team around their best players and media deals can’t be maximized because the stars aren’t with their clubs for so much of the season,” explained Mitts, who played for both previous iterations of Philadelphia’s professional women’s teams.
The Philadelphia group has strong investment and soccer leadership attached but are still looking for their ideal principal owner. These individuals will be introduced over the next few weeks on their www.PhillyWomensProSoccer.com website and social media.
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“The Philadelphia Union invested in the future of the men’s game and it has paid tremendous dividends both on and off the field,” said Mitts. “Our plan is to do the same for the women’s game and are confident that we will find the right financial partner to lead our club."
ABOUT THE UNITED SOCCER LEAGUE
The United Soccer League (USL) is the largest and fastest-growing professional soccer organization in North America, possessing more than a decade of experience in bringing the world’s game to communities across the United States and Canada. Overseeing three men's leagues (USL Championship, USL League One, USL League Two), two women's leagues (USL Super League, USL W League), one elite player development platform (USL Academy), and a national youth platform (USL Super Y League), the USL is built on a proven and recognized model in international football and counts more than 200 clubs in its membership.
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Based in Tampa, Fla., the USL has grown during the past decade into a model organization with strong corporate partnerships and stable organizational leadership. It features a dedicated staff of more than 90 professionals across 18 departments ranging from operations, digital, communications and club services, each of which provides unparalleled support to member clubs and outside partners. Sanctioned by the U.S. Soccer Federation, the USL is #UnitedForSoccer, moving the game forward in North America.
