The USL Super League will kick off its inaugural season on Aug. 17, creating more than 150 new opportunities for players in professional soccer in the United States. There are eight teams in the league to start, with hopes to eventually expand in 2025 and beyond. Ahead of the league’s kickoff, INDIVISA takes a look at 10 players to watch.
Sam Meza – Dallas (Reign FC)
On Thursday, it was announced that midfielder Sam Meza had been loaned to the Dallas Trinity for an undisclosed fee. It coincided with the Reign also announcing that it had exercised the 2025 contract option for the 2024 draftee. Meza is a native of Dallas, and was selected 17th overall by the Reign in the 2024 NWSL Draft. Prior to that, she starred at North Carolina, where she was named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List in her senior season, while also being named to the All-ACC Second Team. Through 72 games in her collegiate career, Meza had seven goals and 10 assists. When she was drafted, Reign coach Laura Harvey called Meza a “really good player who can unlock opponents.”
Katie Duong – DC Power Football Club Midfielder
Katie Duong hails from a familiar – and often fan favorite – Minnesota club that has yet to acquire pro status: Minnesota Aurora FC. She’s the first player in the club’s history to sign a pro soccer contract in the U.S. A former Pac-12 champion at Stanford, with two goals and five assists in three seasons, and she was drafted to Portland in the 2024 NWSL Draft. Duong led Aurora FC in both goals (8) and assists (11) this past season, and has a chance to carry over that momentum into the professional game.
Stella Spitzer – Carolina Ascent
In an age where 14-year-olds are making their NWSL debuts, 14-year-old forward Stella Spitzer is joining the Super League following a successful season in the WPSL with Sioux Falls City FC. The young forward has been on the mind of the USWNT’s development program, having been invited to the U.S. U14 Identification Camp and the U.S. U-14 YNT training camp in 2024. ”When she’s in, she fits into the group really, really well, and excels. I think all the players could see from day one that she’s got special ability,” Sioux Falls sporting director Joe DeMay told Dakota News Now earlier this month.
Mollie Rouse – Spokane Zephyr FC
The league isn’t made up entirely of Americans, as central midfielder Mollie Rouse – who hails from England – signed with Zephyr FC in June. Rouse has some professional experience, first with Lewes in 2021 before a stop with the London City Lionesses and most recently Sunderland. She also had collegiate stops at Louisville and Central Florida. She’s also gone through the ranks of the England national team youth system, playing for the U-17, U-19, U-20 and U-21 squads. During her time with the U-20 squad, she helped England win bronze in the 2018 U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Grace Wisnewski – Lexington SC
Another midfielder, Grace Wisnewski is a player that brings with her experience as a member of the New Zealand national team. She joins Lexington SC from the A-League’s Wellington Phoenix, where she boasts the league’s latest-minute goal in regulation time in league history. Wellington has extensive experience at an international level, having helped the New Zealand U-17 squad to a bronze medal at the 2018 Women’s World Cup. At the 2019 OFC U-19 Women’s Championship, she won the Golden Ball and also played with the New Zealand U-20 team at the 2022 World Cup. Last summer, she made her senior debut against the USWNT and was later named a reserve player for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Mia Corbin – Carolina Ascent FC
Forward Mia Corbin joins Carolina Ascent FC from the Australian Liberty A-League, where she had eight goals and four assists for the Brisbane Roar in 22 appearances. In 2022, Corbin played in the Costa Rican Liga de Fútbol de Primera División with Alajuelense W, winning the Golden Boot with 20 goals and two league championships. Prior to that, Corbin was a standout with Cal, finishing her collegiate career with six goals in 80 appearances. She’s got the ability to play both striker and midfielder as a false nine, making her a versatile player for Carolina.
Jorian Baucom – DC Power FC
Forward Jorian Baucom was the first player to sign with DC Power FC, and joins the club from Hibernian Women’s FC, where she had 29 goals across all competitions and was the second-leading goal scorer in the Scottish Women’s Premier League First Division. Her efforts earned her a spot on the SWPL1 Best XI and was one of four players to earn a Player of the Year nomination. Baucom also has NWSL experience, having signed with the Houston Dash in 2019 as a national team replacement player. She went on to make 12 appearances for Racing Louisville in 2021 and six appearances for the North Carolina Courage in 2022 before the team waived her. Baucom also has USWNT experience, having been part of the USWNT’s U-15, U-16, U-19 and U-20 squads.
Sh’Nia Gordon – Fort Lauderdale United FC
Forward Sh’Nia Gordon joins Fort Lauderdale from Division 1 Féminine club Montpellier, where she had one goal in 19 appearances. Prior to that, she had four goals in eight games with Le Havre. In total, she made 75 appearances across teams in France’s top two divisions, scoring 15 goals. She also made four appearances for Racing Louisville FC in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine caused her to move back to the United States from Russian team CKSA Moscow. Prior to that, Gordon starred at West Virginia, appearing in 95 matches and scoring 25 goals alongside 15 assists. In 2016, she was named to the NCAA College Cup All-Tournament Team and Big 12 All-Tournament Team.
Erika Tymrak – Tampa Bay Sun FC
Midfielder Erika Tymrak might strike a chord of familiarity in NWSL fans, having made 95 appearances for FC Kansas City from 2013-17, where she won two NWSL championships in 2014 and 2015. Tymrak was named the NWSL Rookie of the Year in 2013, finishing ahead of current KC Current goalkeeper AD Franch and Angel City FC forward Sydney Leroux. After FC Kansas City folded, she went on to make 30 appearances for the Utah Royals from 2018-19. She retired from soccer in 2020 at the age of 28, but later came out of retirement to play for the Orlando Pride, making 48 appearances for the club from 2021-23. She’s also made three USWNT appearances, scoring one international goal. As a member of the U-17 USWNT in 2008, she finished runner-up at the 2008 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand.
Amber Brooks – Dallas Trinity FC
Dallas’ first signing in club history came in the form of UNC alum and two-time NCAA national champion defender Amber Brooks. She had 34 goals and 19 assists in her collegiate career before going on to have an extensive professional career. In high school, Brooks was ranked as the No. 1 recruit in the nation in 2009. She’s played for a number of NWSL teams, including signing her first contract in the league with Portland where she made 21 appearances. She then had a stop in Seattle before playing in 91 games for the Houston Dash, scoring four goals in her time with the club. Her most recent stint in the NWSL was with the Washington Spirit, where she had two goals in 29 appearances. Brooks has international experience as well, playing nine games with the USWNT U-20 squad before making one senior international appearance in 2013.