Amanda Vandervort appointed inaugural president of USL Super League

The USL Super League, the newest professional Division II women's league, has appointed Amanda Vandervort as its inaugural president before launching in 2023. 

The expansion league was recently created by the the United Soccer League, and will double the number of professional women’s soccer teams in the United states. The USL has made it clear that the new league's compensation structure and professional standards will be consistent with that of the men's professional leagues.

"Today, we are thrilled to unveil the USL Super League and begin an exciting new chapter in the growth of Women's Soccer in the United States," USL CEO Alec Papadakis said in a statement.

"We aim to make the USL Super League globally recognized and admired for its community-building, operational excellence, financial sustainability, and high level of competition.

Vandervort has over 20 years of experience across men’s and women’s soccer, serving as the chief women's football officer of soccer's global player's association FIFPRO and Major League Soccer vice president of CRM. 

"It's such an exciting privilege to be in this position," Vandervort.

"Together we'll build a competitive environment for elite women players, coaches and referees at the professional level. We'll create opportunities for fans to experience the women's game in their local communities and provide value to those investing in this high-growth platform. I'm excited to be helping the USL realize the Super League's potential and drive the women's game forward."

"With these objectives in mind, we deepen our commitment to equitable treatment of our men's and women's pathways, and to create career opportunities for women to play professional soccer, women coaches, women technical directors, and women soccer executives. We at the USL League Office are united in our passion and commitment to the pursuit of this vision."

The Super League is set to work as a complement to the USL W League, which kicks off its inaugural season in 2022. The W League has already announced 16 member clubs and more than 30 teams.

"In our country there are seven times as many professional soccer teams for men than there are for women," USL director of women's soccer operations Betsy Haugh said.

"We are going to improve that ratio, and we invite players and fans to join us in building a new, outstanding level of women's soccer."