In ideal circumstances, players at all levels of soccer would have the time and opportunity to develop both as individuals and in a team setting.

Following this month’s announcement that the USL Super League will run on a fall to summer schedule when it launches in August 2023, the aim for USL Vice President of Women’s Soccer Missy Price is to fully realize the chance for consistent improvement presented to players, coaches, and clubs, and in turn allow all three to maximize their potential.

“The biggest thing is we all know that development takes time,” said Dr. Price, who recently completed her term as President of the United Soccer Coaches Board of Directors. “I’m speculating a bit on what coaches and players may experience, but I think it will feel less like you’re just getting ready for the next game and more like you're investing in yourself as a professional player, coach, and club.”

In contrast to other leagues, and particularly college soccer, the Super League would also offer the opportunity for more downtime, a key element to nurturing a healthy professional environment for players as they navigate their careers. Given the burden of expectation that arrives at the highest levels of the game, balancing the elements of competition and development that will be the foundation of the Super League’s future with opportunities for players to step away from the game at times – particularly during the winter break each campaign – will leave players better positioned mentally to maximize performance when they are on the training ground or competing for their clubs.

“It’s going to be better for players, for their social and emotional welfare,” said Price. “The ability to know when they’re going to have downtime in their yearly schedule and when they can take breaks is key. Being a professional athlete is challenging and demanding. The expectations don't always come with the right structure and support to set athletes up for success. Our goal for the Super League is to focus on player welfare and the calendar format is one piece of that important puzzle.”

The ultimate goal, for Price and the rest of the team leading the Super League’s arrival next year, is to create an environment in which players, coaches and clubs can compete and develop as elite professionals, and can see their progression year on year, while offering the best on-field product to fans across the country.

“Strategically, all of our decisions are focused on creating a league where players want to play, coaches want to coach, and fans want to come to the games, and people want to work,” said Price. “In its simplest form, all of the decisions around what type of yearly calendar this league would operate on had those big-picture things in mind.”