A shower is possible early. Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. Low 59F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..
A shower is possible early. Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. Low 59F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Updated: April 17, 2024 @ 9:01 pm
The logo of Carolina Ascent FC, Charlotte’s new professional women’s soccer team
The logo of Carolina Ascent FC, Charlotte’s new professional women’s soccer team
Carolina Ascent, a new professional women’s soccer team, is coming to Charlotte as part of the newly created United Soccer League (USL) Super League. The inaugural season will begin in August of this year, composed of eight teams across the country with plans for future expansion.
The Super League was formed to be a new league for the highest professional women’s soccer tier in the United States, Division One, joining the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) at the top of the pyramid. Originally planned to be a Division Two league, much like the men’s USL, the decision was made to jump to Division One, as it would raise the standards for the league and allow for more opportunities.
Although the Super League is similar to the NWSL as a Division One women’s league whose teams overlap in certain states, notable features set the two apart. The two leagues play on opposite seasons, with the NWSL season beginning in March and ending in November.
In contrast, the Super League season starts in August and concludes in June of the following year. This game calendar will allow players called up to their national teams to fulfill obligations with both club and country, as major international tournaments take place during the height of summer, in July and early August.
The Super League has a much more robust youth pathway. It works directly with youth soccer academies and pre-professional leagues, drawing from them and other pools to create its rosters. The Super League will also use academy contracts, meaning youth prospects can gain senior-level experience without sacrificing their college eligibility by signing a senior-level contract.
As the NWSL enters its 11th season and the Super League prepares for its inaugural season, the Super League has a large hill to climb to rise to that same level. Charlotte Ascent operates in the same state as the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup champions, the North Carolina Courage.
The two could grow to be direct competitors, similar to how Angel City FC and the San Diego Wave are in the NWSL. Carolina Ascent Assistant Coach Erika Duncan knows that growth will need to happen but believes this league has what it takes.
“In terms of competing with the NWSL right now, we’re not bringing in the Mallory Swansons, the Tierna Davidsons or the Jaedyn Shaws,” said Duncan. “We don’t have those players; the NWSL has those players. But eventually, I think the Super League will probably build into that. It’s got a great foundation. There’s no reason for it not to grow into that within probably the next couple of years.”
Previously mentioned Gotham FC player Tierna Davidson was a product of the NWSL draft, a system similar to other sports drafts. The NWSL draft has faced criticism in the past, as it removes free agency from players, not allowing them to choose where they will play. Some teams in the league will also make trades of their players to get first-round draft picks without informing the player ahead of time. The Super League diverges from this practice, opting not to use the draft system. Although their roster building is still in the works, the league will rely heavily on recruitment and their youth academy pipelines.
Charlotte is a major sports city, with teams such as the Carolina Panthers, the Charlotte Hornets, Charlotte FC and even the Charlotte Knights. However, the city lacks any women’s or professional women’s soccer teams. Carolina Ascent aims to fill that niche and give back to the community, which has been an important part of its journey.
“One of the biggest things that we’re trying to do is just to make sure that we connect the area and make Charlotte and the fans feel like this is their team, too,” said Duncan. “There’s great talent around here. It’s a very, very big soccer city in terms of the youth. There are very competitive teams at the youth level, and they are successful teams.”
In the coming weeks and months, Carolina Ascent and the USL Super League at large will continue to reveal aspects of their teams, from rosters to season schedules. The growth of a new league is not a linear progression, but Duncan knows that the timing is perfect for a new women’s league.
“It’s going to take a bit of time, but a women’s sport out here, people are ready for it,” said Duncan.
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