On Tuesday, 25 Seattle-based sports and business professionals announced their investment in a new USL W League team operated by popular semi-pro USL League Two men’s side Ballard FC.
Headlined by Lauren Barnes (Seattle Reign), Jess Fishlock (Seattle Reign), Olivia Van der Jagt (Seattle Reign), and Sam Hiatt (Gotham FC), alongside Seattle Storm co-owner Ginny Gilder and Jen Barnes, owner of the women’s sports-focused Rough & Tumble Pub, the yet-to-be-named Ballard squad will enter the pre-professional league next May.
Current Ballard FC president Sam Zisette will oversee both the men’s and women’s clubs, while vice president and seasoned athletic trainer Tiffany Mallick will shift her focus on the women’s team.
“Our goal is to create better opportunities for young women to develop their skills on and off the field,” said Reign captain Lauren Barnes in a team press release. “The path to professional soccer didn’t exist on the same scale while I was growing up, and I’m thrilled to be part of changing that for future players.”
“Introducing a USL W League team to Ballard is a monumental step in advancing our organization and soccer community,” added Zisette. “Ballard is a special place with an immense sense of pride, passionate spirit, and love for soccer. We can’t wait to see the community embrace this new team!”
What is the USL?
The United Soccer League (USL), which organizes multiple US leagues across all divisions, has recently upped its commitment to the women’s game.
In addition to the developmental USL W League — which started in 2022 and now fields 80 teams across four conferences plus three 2025 expansion teams, including Ballard — USL is set to launch the fully professional USL Super League next month.
With eight inaugural clubs (and plans to expand to 20 teams by 2026), the USL Super League will join the NWSL as the only other Division 1 women’s league in the country. But unlike the NWSL, the USL Super League will mirror the European schedule, operating from fall through spring with its official kickoff slated for August 17th.
As with USL W Ballard, the Super League also has some star power behind it. In May, WNBA All-Star rookie Angel Reese joined the ownership group of Washington’s forthcoming DC Power FC.
USL W League gears up for postseason action
But before the USL Super League takes the pitch, their pre-professional counterparts will finish up their 2024 postseason run.
On Saturday, the USL W’s four conference champions will square off in the league semifinals on Saturday, July 13th, with NC Courage U23 hosting Tennessee SC and the Colorado Storm facing Detroit City FC in Michigan. Winners from those two matches will then battle it out at the USL W League final on July 20th.
All USL W postseason action can be streamed live on SportsEngine Play.
The post Seattle Reign Stars Barnes, Fishlock Back New USL W League Team appeared first on Just Women’s Sports.
