CREDIT: KCRA-TV STAFF
STOCKTON, Calif. —
A professional women’s soccer team is coming to the city of Stockton. The United Soccer League announced the first women’s expansion team for the 2023 season will be at the Port City.
“Stockton is my home. It’s my heart and soul. For me, to be able to bring a team to Stockton in an organization as top caliber as the USL… One that’s going to give so many local opportunities to women in Stockton,” said Lee Neves, SC Stockton president and CEO.
The club’s president told KCRA 3 they have already hired the team’s general manager and head coach. Who they are and the club logo will be announced soon, he said.
This will be the first USL women’s team in California.
“We are thrilled to welcome our first expansion club of the 2023 W League season and even more excited to be expanding our footprint west into California,” said Joel Nash, vice president of Youth and Pre-Professional Properties. “The addition of Stockton makes the league’s reach coast to coast in just its second season.”
The club’s mantra is “Our City, Our Team” and the club’s president says that’s integral to the city.
“We have a year to build this thing up in Stockton, get the word out and get the best players locally — and I want to stress that this is going to be a team for Stockton, from Stockton,” Neves said.
“Finally, a team and a league for women that will provide them with an opportunity to highlight their talents,” said Kimberly Warmsley, Stockton city councilmember. “This league will bring an opportunity to promote diversity and inclusion. I welcome SC Stockton and the USL W League to the Greater Stockton area.”
The club’s president says he is excited about what this team will bring to his hometown.
“Our goal is to make that playoff next year, and our goal is to win a championship, and we want to bring a championship to Stockton. We want to have a parade down Miracle Mile, we want to have a rally on the city hall steps. I mean, that’s our goal. Our goal is to bring Stockton something it can be proud of, to call its own, and say, ‘Yeah they are ours, and we are proud of it,'” Neves said.
The team is scheduled to kick off its season next year.