Today, the WPSL announced the 39 teams that will make up their new U-21 league, which will begin playing this summer.

“The 39 teams are spread across the U.S. from coast to coast and will play matches in 30 separate markets in 13 states,” states the press release. “For the inaugural 2021 season, the U21 league will be split into seven conferences and teams will play 6-to-12 matches in their regular-season schedules. Teams are also allowed to schedule non-conference matches with nearby geographical foes from other conferences.”

California will be split into two conferences of four teams each. The largest conference, the Metropolitan Conference, will stretch across 4 states and include 11 teams.

The U-21 league will have some familiar faces, but also new faces, and is a perfect starting point for many organizations not yet ready to commit to the level of the WPSL’s first league but still want to field a team. Brad Lund, WPSL VP and WPSL U-21 director, said there are an additional 16 to 20 teams incoming for the 2022 season.

To read more or to see which teams will be playing in the WPSL U-21 league: https://www.wpslsoccer.com/news/2021/04/23/wpsl-u21-inaugural-season-conference-alignments-unveiled

- Elisabeth Schendel