The USL Super League (USLS) is a new Division I professional women’s soccer league in the United States. The competition kicks off its inaugural season in August 2024. Operated by the United Soccer League, the USL initially scheduled the launch of the league for 2023. However, it has been postponed by a year.



On Sep. 21, 2021, as part of a broader initiative to create a comprehensive pathway for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/womens-soccer-tv-schedule/">women’s soccer</a> in the US. The announcement came alongside the pre-professional USL W League, which began in 2022. Amanda Vandervort, previously the Chief Women’s Football Officer for FIFPro, became the League President on October 12, 2021.



The next year, the league revealed that its schedule would align with the international women’s soccer calendar; running from August to June. It would also include a mid-season break to avoid severe winter weather. The USLS initially planned to feature 12 teams in its first season.



But then in 2023, the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/nwsl-vs-usl-super-league-on-a-collision-course-in-us-soccer-20231231-WST-479910.html">USLS</a> unveiled the initial eight clubs participating in the inaugural season, with five additional markets expected to join later, pending stadium projects. This February, it was officially granted Division I status by US Soccer.



This move positions the USLS as the second top-division professional women’s soccer league in the United States, alongside the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).



<h2>What did the president of the league say?</h2>



The USL Super League eight founding teams have now revealed their home opening schedules ahead of the August start. As a result of the US Soccer’s decision to elevate the USL Super League to the same level as the NWSL, the league will follow a calendar similar to that of Europe. It will surely give it a distinct flavor.



USL Super League president Amanda Vandervort highlighted the significance of the announcement. She stated: “Today’s announcement marks another major milestone for the USL Super League and our clubs, as our fans and players now have a concrete date to circle on their calendars.



“Kicking off this August, directly after the conclusion of the Paris Olympics, reinforces the league’s vision of aligning with the global game. The league and our clubs are committed to delivering a world-class experience for our fans and players, and we’re excited to see the on-field action and off-field impact each club has on its community.”



<h2>Home openers for 2024-25 USL Super League</h2>



The USL Super League would create a significant impact on women’s professional soccer, offering new opportunities for players and providing fans with high-quality, competitive matches. The complete 2024/25 schedule and the competition’s format will come out soon as the league prepares to deliver an exciting inaugural season.



With the league’s <a href="https://www.uslsuperleague.com/news/2024/05/23/usl-super-league-unveils-home-openers-for-inaugural-season/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">inaugural game set for August 17</a>, featuring DC Power FC traveling to Carolina Ascent FC, anticipation is building as teams finalize their rosters and hire staff in preparation for the late summer kickoff. The launch of the USL Super League marks an exciting new chapter for women’s soccer, promising to deliver thrilling action and build strong community connections.



Full schedule



<ul><li>Brooklyn FC vs. Carolina Ascent FC: Saturday, August 31 at Maimonides Park</li><li>Carolina Ascent FC vs. DC Power FC: Saturday, August 17 at American Legion Memorial Stadium</li><li>Dallas Trinity FC vs. DC Power FC: Saturday, September 7 at Cotton Bowl</li><li>DC Power FC vs. Fort Lauderdale United FC: Friday, September 13 at Audi Field</li><li>Fort Lauderdale United FC vs. Dallas Trinity FC: Sunday, September 29 at Nova Southeastern University</li><li>Lexington SC vs. Tampa Bay Sun FC: Sunday, September 8 at Lexington Stadium</li><li>Spokane Zephyr FC vs. Fort Lauderdale United FC: Saturday, August 17 at One Spokane Stadium</li><li>Tampa Bay Sun FC vs. Dallas Trinity FC: Sunday, August 18 at Riverfront Stadium</li></ul>



PHOTO: USL

Home openers for first season of USL Super League revealed

The USL Super League eight founding teams have now revealed their home openers ahead of the August start later this year.

A revolutionary change is sweeping over European football as UEFA unveils a redesigned game calendar for the next year with the Champions League planned for Thursdays. This is in addition to the customary match days of Tuesdays and Wednesdays.



The most important adjustment is that all of UEFA’s esteemed club tournaments will now have their own designated match weeks. There will be <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0287-1964b9b0f4ce-e069b2345f39-1000--2024-25-uefa-champions-league-matches-final-key-dates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">no Europa League or Europa Conference League matches</a> planned for the first week of the season.



Thus, the period between September 17 and September 19 will be an exclusive <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">Champions League</a> event. Given UEFA’s determination to elevate this tournament to the pinnacle of European club competitions, this unconventional move is understandable. They say that this change is to suit the more teams who have signed up and to spread out the matches more evenly throughout the week.



Another thing that sets this new era apart is the absence of the old group stage replaced with a single-league system. To create an exciting and competitive atmosphere, each club will play eight matches against a different opponent. With this change, the stakes for the competing teams will be higher and the competition will be more intense.



<h2>Extended league stage format</h2>



The format’s effects will also ripple through the tournament’s qualifying and following rounds. In the league stage, the top eight teams go directly to the round of 16. Meanwhile, a knockout round play-off involving teams ranked ninth to 24 will fill the remaining spots.



Especially harsh is the new structure for clubs who place 25th or worse; it does not provide any kind of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/europa-league-tv-schedule/">Europa League</a> cushion at all. They have spaced out important dates throughout the year, with the league season beginning in September and ending in January. 



Each competition’s match weeks are the schedule’s major elements, building up to the final matchday’s simultaneous kickoffs. With these tweaks, UEFA reportedly wants to improve the watching experience and build up to the most exciting parts of the event.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240524_WST_508896_Carvajal-Champions-League-1200x670_bdfbcdf7.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-508932" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/Carvajal-Champions-League-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/Carvajal-Champions-League-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/Carvajal-Champions-League-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/Carvajal-Champions-League.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<h2>Champions League to touch Thursdays in new calendar</h2>



<ul><li>Draw for the League Stage: August 29, 2024</li><li>Matchday 1 to 8: From September 17, 2024, to January 29, 2025</li><li>Knockout Round Play-offs Draw: January 31, 2025</li><li>Knockout Round Play-offs: 11/12 &amp; 18/19 February 2025</li><li>Round of 16 Draw: February 21, 2025</li><li>Round of 16: 4/5 &amp; 11/12 March 2025</li><li>Quarter-finals: 8/9 &amp; 15/16 April 2025</li><li>Semi-finals: 29/30 April &amp; 6/7 May 2025</li><li>Final: May 31, 2025</li></ul>



Soccer fans are waiting with bated breath for the start of this new era, and UEFA have clarified that the calendar is subject to change based on what happens. On August 29, 2024, the league stage draw will take place, marking the beginning of an exciting adventure that will take place all throughout Europe’s footballing scene.



Simply put, the Champions League is about to enter a new age of intense competition, unpredictable outcomes, and spectacular matches thanks to UEFA’s forward-thinking changes. A thrilling chapter in football history is about to unfold, as each encounter has the potential to determine the fate of teams competing for European glory.



PHOTOS: IMAGO

Fresh Champions League model to shake up club schedules

A revolutionary change is sweeping over European football, as the UEFA Champions League will feature on occasional Thursdays.

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Home openers for first season of USL Super League revealed

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Fresh Champions League model to shake up club schedules