SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane Zephyr have been building toward their inaugural season.
Soon, pro women’s soccer in Spokane will become a reality.
Zephyr are part of the new USL Super League, which is a division one sanctioned league designated by U.S. Soccer.
It is the highest level of professional women’s soccer in America and a director competitor to the NWSL
Head coach Jo Johnson had some concerns before accepting the job. But the USL brand gave her confidence that this league can thrive in Spokane and around the country.
“Yes there were questions,” Johnson said “But every question has been met with just support and evidence of this isn’t just the ‘we’re going to try it out. It’s ‘hey we’re investing in this this long term.’ We see the value of women’s sports that we see in different sports throughout the country, even with the WNBA. It’s the rise of that and the confidence in people investing in women’s sports and even more exposure in the media. Maybe 10-15 years ago it would be a lot more questions, but I think this is the right time to expand and using that umbrella is huge.”
Outside of a few players, most of the roster is playing together for the first time.
Luckily for Zephyr, every team is starting off on a level playing field as a new league.
“I think that it’s difficult when you bring people in that haven’t played together and all different playing styles so naturally there’s growing pains,” defender Sydney Cummings said. I think as preseason has rolled around a bit we’re starting to see it’s a bit more caddy at practice, we’re competing a bit more and I think that goes a really long way.”
Spokane Zephyr open the season on at noon on August 17 at home against Fort Lauderdale United FC.
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