Around the same time, U.S. Soccer also granted third-division sanctioning to the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA). That league never really gained a foothold with frequent backroom ...

By enlisting existing NWSL teams, the Division II league meets or exceeds many of U.S. Soccer's criteria. The federation requires at least six teams in the first year of a Division II league and ...

The NWSL has asked U.S. Soccer to sanction a second-division league that would include at least six teams and possibly launch in 2026. The WPSL Pro also will launch next year as a second-tier league.

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has officially laid groundwork for launching a Division II league in 2026 to boost player development. The Athletic has corroborated the existence of ...