Today the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) announced the formation of a second league - WPSL U-21. “Due to continuous high demand for elite amateur soccer during the summer months,” a press release from the league stated, “the WPSL has elected to immediately expand its footprint for girls and women’s soccer by adding the under-21 model to go along with its highly successful league.”

The size of the league is in flux at this point, as the WPSL is currently accepting applications, but it's expected that many of the WPSL’s 141 clubs will expand their organizations and enter teams into the WPSL U-21 before the inaugural season begins this summer. Conference structures are also to be determined. According to the league announcement, “current WPSL clubs have first-right-of-refusal to operate U-21 squads within their own geographic area and the league has opened up inaugural season applications to non-WPSL squads, effective immediately.” The WPSL U-21’s season will run from mid-May through late July, and match day rosters will be limited to 18 players. Each club will also be permitted to dress three players over the age of 20.

“I think this is an amazing opportunity for young players in our region to further develop their skills as they progress in their soccer career,” said a spokesperson for a current WPSL club, who plans on announcing their organization’s U-21 team soon. “I’m really excited to see this team take shape, and see the community embrace it like they’ve done our first team.”

This announcement comes on the heels of a similar expansion from its competition, UWS, which will launch its UWS2 league this season. There’s nothing not to like about this new league, however, and the expansion of women’s soccer overall is always a good thing. More clubs playing means more roster spots and more opportunities for women all over the country to develop their soccer talent. Expanding the map is an inherently good thing and we at Protagonist Soccer are excited to cover this league as it develops over the coming months.

- Protagonist Staff