Featured image credit: Cleveland Pro Soccer
Cleveland Soccer Group (CSG) is set to field a team in the upcoming Women’s Premier League Soccer (WPSL) Pro.
CSG’s outfit will be a founding club and will join early markets including Atlanta, Dallas, North Carolina, Oklahoma City, Sioux Falls, and the San Francisco area.
WPSL Pro is set to launch next year as a second division professional league to fill “a critical player development gap in the U.S. women’s soccer system.”
CSG has revealed plans for a $50m (£37.7m/€44m), 10,000-seat stadium in downtown Cleveland due to open next year.
It is due to host both the WPSL Pro team and a new MLS Next Pro men’s team.
“This stadium is more than a venue—it’s a statement,” said Michael Murphy, co-founder and chief executive of CSG.
“We’re investing in the infrastructure, the talent, and the long-term future of women’s sports.”
Last year, the CSG was aiming for a NWSL expansion franchise and had initially proposed a $150m stadium.
The originally planned venue would support a capacity of at least 12,500 fans but could be expanded to 20,000.
However, it was unsuccessful in its NWSL bid and the expansion franchise was awarded to a group from Denver.
WPSL Pro emerged from the foundation of the WPSL, which is the largest amateur women’s football league in the world.
More than 54% of National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) draftees, including FIFA Women’s World Cup winners and Olympic gold medallists Alex Morgan, Brandi Chastain, and Rose Lavelle, have competed within WPSL clubs.
“WPSL Pro is the bridge that’s been missing – not just for players, but for the communities, investors and brands ready to be part of the next chapter in women’s sports,” said Sean Jones, co-founder of WPSL Pro.
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