Why Sacramento Is Ready for Pro Women’s Soccer Now More Than Ever

From the California Storm to Republic FC’s next chapter, the city’s moment is now.

Photo Courtesy of California Storm

Women’s soccer is surging in popularity across the U.S., and Sacramento is quietly positioned as a potential key player of its next evolution. While cities like Portland, San Diego, and Kansas City have earned headlines for their professional women’s teams, Sacramento has built a deep-rooted soccer culture that’s long supported the women’s game—from the legacy of the California Storm to the infrastructure and potential of Sacramento Republic FC. With a new downtown stadium on the horizon, a powerful youth academy already in place, and two top-tier leagues to choose from, the city has never been more ready for a professional women’s team.

---

---

The California Storm: A Pioneering Legacy

Since 1995, the California Storm has operated as one of the premier amateur women’s soccer teams in the United States. Based in Sacramento, the team has helped launch the careers of legends like Brandi Chastain and Alex Morgan while maintaining strong ties to the local soccer community through youth development, outreach, and consistent competitive play.

In recent years, the Storm have expanded their competitive platform by fielding teams in both the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) and the USL W League—two of the top amateur leagues for women in the country. This dual participation allows more players to gain high-level experience and showcases the Storm’s commitment to pushing the women’s game forward across multiple national platforms.

Their impact is undeniable. The Storm have served as a vital bridge between youth and professional soccer for nearly three decades. But as the women’s game continues to grow, the need for a fully professional pathway in Sacramento becomes more urgent—and increasingly possible.

Sacramento Republic FC: Infrastructure, Vision, and a Proven Academy

Since 2014, Sacramento Republic FC has been more than just a successful USL Championship club—they’ve redefined what community-driven, professionally run soccer can look like outside of Major League Soccer. Their youth academy is widely regarded as one of the best in the country, producing professional players, college athletes, and U.S. youth internationals.

But the academy is currently only available to boys.

That’s not for lack of interest or vision—building a competitive girls’ pathway takes time, investment, and a clear destination. A professional women’s team under the Republic FC umbrella would immediately justify the expansion of their elite development system to include young women, offering a full cradle-to-pro pipeline on par with the most respected clubs in North America.

Adding a girls’ academy program wouldn’t just benefit elite athletes—it would deepen Republic’s community roots and show a clear commitment to equity in opportunity, creating tangible progress in a space that has historically lacked parity.

Wilton Rancheria, Downtown Stadium, and Ownership Momentum

In early 2024, the Wilton Rancheria tribe became the majority owners of Sacramento Republic FC, marking a significant milestone not just for the club but for sports ownership nationwide. It is the first time a Native American tribe has held majority ownership of a professional soccer team in the U.S., and it comes with a renewed vision focused on culture, community, and long-term investment.

One of the first major steps under this new ownership is the long-awaited construction of a 12,000 to 15,000-seat soccer-specific stadium in the Railyards district, set to break ground in 2025. The new stadium will not only provide a permanent home for Republic FC but could also be the ideal setting for a professional women’s team, whether they share branding with the men’s team or forge their own identity.

Shared or Independent Branding?

One of the major questions facing a future women’s team in Sacramento is whether it should operate under the Republic FC banner or adopt its own distinct identity.

There are compelling arguments on both sides:

• Shared Branding: Tying the women’s team directly to Republic FC offers immediate credibility, shared resources, and streamlined marketing. It also creates a unified club culture, with fans supporting both teams equally—much like Portland Thorns and Timbers or OL Reign’s previous relationship with OL Groupe.

• Separate Identity: On the other hand, a new brand could reflect a unique vision for women’s soccer in Sacramento. It could honor the legacy of the California Storm or take a fresh, modern approach that allows the team to build its own fan culture and brand partnerships. As seen with Angel City FC in Los Angeles or Bay FC in San Jose, independent brands can thrive when backed by community, investment, and a compelling narrative.

Sacramento has room to explore either option—and that flexibility is part of its advantage.

NWSL vs. USL Super League

With both the NWSL and the USL Super League now recognized as Division I women’s leagues by U.S. Soccer, Sacramento faces a strategic decision about which path to pursue.

• NWSL offers higher visibility, major sponsors, and international star power. But its expansion fees and ownership requirements are steep, and new teams must often navigate complex approval processes.

• USL Super League is built for markets like Sacramento: soccer-savvy, community-oriented, and ready to grow sustainably. Since Republic FC is already a flagship USL club, the infrastructure, operational synergy, and potential league backing make this a realistic and exciting fit.

Either route would be historic for the city. But the Super League may offer a faster, more mission-aligned path to launching a women’s team—especially if Republic FC leads the way.

A Tipping Point for Women’s Soccer in America

The growth of women’s soccer in the United States has reached a critical juncture. For decades, the sport has drawn strong grassroots support, a loyal fan base, and moments of global dominance through the U.S. Women’s National Team. But what’s happening now is different—it’s structural.

The ecosystem is finally evolving to support a sustainable, tiered professional landscape.

Looking ahead to 2026, the WPSL Pro is set to launch as a second-division women’s league. Backed by the long-running WPSL (Women’s Premier Soccer League), which has operated for over 25 years and currently hosts more than 130 amateur teams—including the Sacramento-based California Storm—WPSL Pro aims to create a stable, regional-first platform for pro-level players who may not immediately land in the top divisions. With a focus on affordability and community-driven clubs, WPSL Pro fills an important niche for markets ready for professional soccer but still developing their infrastructure.

Simultaneously, the NWSL has submitted a proposal to launch its own second-division league, a signal of how quickly the competitive landscape is maturing. If approved, the league would further strengthen the talent pipeline and create additional opportunities for clubs, players, and cities nationwide.

This explosion of new pathways marks a turning point: women’s professional soccer is becoming a full ecosystem. For a city like Sacramento, which already boasts a passionate fanbase, established infrastructure, and committed local ownership, the conditions are ideal for entering the professional space at this apex of growth.

A Moment Sacramento Can’t Afford to Miss

Sacramento’s place in the history of women’s soccer is already secure, thanks to pioneers like the California Storm, offering competitive outlets for dozens of aspiring players each year.

With a new stadium, visionary ownership, and great academy infrastructure in the region, Sacramento is uniquely positioned to become a powerhouse in the women’s game. Whether under the Republic FC name or with a new brand all its own, the time for a professional women’s soccer team in Sacramento is now.

---