The Pittsburgh Riverhounds made a big announcement about the future of soccer in the Steel City ahead of Saturday night's game against Detroit City FC, announcing they will have a top women's team in the USL W-League starting in 2025. .
Let's go – @JeffGarner23 We're on the scene for a big announcement: @RiverhoundsSC is launching @USLW League Expansion team to be launched in May 2025! Steel City Women's Match is getting a lot of attention!#houndturn | @pghsoccernow
— Colton Coleschi (@cjcoreschi) April 27, 2024
This announcement marks a new era in the Hounds' 25th anniversary season and represents a major opportunity for the women's game in Pittsburgh at a time when women's sports, especially women's soccer, are growing globally. With a robust women's academy, the Hounds now have a home for top female talent who will continue to grow and develop throughout her college years.
“As we experience remarkable growth in women's soccer globally, we not only recognize the immense talent and passion that exists within our community, but we also actively encourage Advocacy is essential.”
“By establishing a pathway for girls in our region, especially those coming from the highly regarded Riverhounds Development Academy, to pursue the highest level of soccer, we are not only creating opportunities; I am making my dreams come true.”
The W League, which started in 2022 as the top women's pre-professional league, is entering its third season this summer and is rapidly growing. It will start with 44 teams in its first year, grow to 65 teams in 2023, and is expected to grow further to more than 80 teams this summer. It also serves as the foundational launching pad for her USL women's professional initiative, her USL Super League, which will begin its first season this summer as a Division 1 league separate from the NWSL.
“As our academy grows and thrives on the women's side, the need to create a pathway to the first team for young women in our city becomes increasingly apparent,” said Pittsburgh Athletic Director Dan Visser. It has become,” he said.
“We couldn’t be more excited to bring a W-League team to Pittsburgh!”
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The full text of the club's official release is below.
The United Soccer League announced today that the Pittsburgh Riverhounds' ownership group has created a USL W-League team, scheduled to begin competition in the 2025 season. The team's official emblem and identity are expected to be announced in the coming months.
The addition of a W-League team will provide an avenue for Pittsburgh women to compete at an elite level. The River Hounds Development Academy has been active since 2007, and the first women's academy team was formed in 2012.
“As we experience the remarkable growth of women's soccer globally, we are committed to not only recognizing the immense talent and passion that exists within our community, but actively championing it,” Riverhounds President Jeff Garner said in a statement. That is essential.” “By establishing a pathway for girls in our region, especially those coming from the highly regarded Riverhounds Development Academy, to pursue the highest level of soccer, we are not only creating opportunities; I am making my dreams come true.”
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, having been founded in 1999 as a men's professional team in what was then the USL A-League. After establishing the Development Academy, the club expanded and now fields teams in age groups from U-9 to U-19 within multiple leagues including the USL Academy and the Elite Club National League. .
“As our academy grows and thrives on the women’s side, it has become increasingly clear that we need to create a pathway to the first team for the young women of our city,” Riverhounds Director of Sport , Dan Visser said. “We couldn’t be more excited to bring a W-League team to Pittsburgh!”
The club also participates in a variety of community initiatives to fulfill its mission of “nurturing and promoting the sport of soccer within the Pittsburgh region and fostering a vibrant and inclusive community of players, fans, and supporters.” ing. Activities include soccer-focused physical education programs at local schools led by Riverhounds coaches and a charity walk at Highmark Stadium, home of Riverhounds games.
“We are excited to have the Pittsburgh Riverhounds join the USL W-League for the 2025 season,” said Joel Nash, USL Senior Vice President of Youth and Pre-Professional Properties. “Pittsburgh has a decades-long history in American soccer and we look forward to seeing Pittsburgh's passionate fans support this W-League team next summer.”