Pre-professional women’s soccer returns to Richmond after 14 years
RICHMOND, Va. – The United Soccer League today announced the addition of Richmond as an expansion side in the USL W League for the 2024 season.
“We are beyond excited to return back into the W League,” Richmond Kickers’ Chairman and CEO, Rob Ukrop said. “Richmond is a wonderful soccer community with strong youth clubs that have produced some incredible young women that have played at the top levels of the game through the last 15 years. We hope our team will provide inspiration for the next generation of young girls to aspire to the next levels in Richmond and beyond.”
Under the stewardship of 22 Holdings, LLC, the ownership group that runs the Richmond Kickers’ USL League One franchise, W League Richmond aims to create a new level of competition for women’s soccer in the region. Players representing the club will have a platform to develop their talents as players and lead as role models in growing women’s soccer for the wider community.
“We’re so honored to help launch a women’s soccer team in Richmond, especially one that will forge its own identity and branding,” Richmond Kickers President and COO, Camp Peery said. “We can’t wait to connect with our community in the coming months as we refine the team’s name, imaging, crest and much more.”
The W League Richmond team launching in 2024 marks the first time Richmond has competed in a pre-professional women’s league since the Richmond Kickers Destiny that operated from 2005 to 2009.
Under the guidance of Destiny coaches Jesse Myers and Jen Woodie, Richmond was able to showcase young, talented players like two-time World Cup Winner and USWNT captain, Becky Sauerbrunn, US youth internationals and local Richmonders Chantel Jones, Kristin Stannard and Becca Wann-Taylor, along with international players like Sinead Farrelly (Ireland), Nikki Krysic Phillips (Poland) and Kylie Davies McCarthy (Wales).
“We are thrilled to welcome Richmond to the USL W League for the 2024 season,” said Amanda Vandervort, USL Super League and W League President. “Richmond has played an integral role in American soccer for three decades and we can’t wait to watch their passionate fans rally around the W League team next summer.”
Stay tuned to the W League Richmond social channels on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and Twitter for more updates ahead of kickoff in 2024 including technical staff, branding, jerseys, and more!
