NWSL Confirms Team Sacramento Addition From 2022

National Women’s Soccer League commissioner Lisa Baird has confirmed that Sacramento will field a team in 2022.

As per SacBee, a final hurdle for Sacramento to gain an NWSL franchise is the league expansion fee. In July, a star-studded Los Angeles ownership group led by high-profile women helped land Angel City FC, Los Angeles’ NWSL expansion franchise. The founding core of celebrities, athletes and businesswomen include Natalie Portman, Kara Nortman, Julie Uhrman, Alexis Ohanian, Serena Williams, Eva Longoria, Jennifer Garner and more. Angel City will join the league with Sacramento in 2022, Baird announced Tuesday.

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg in a statement said: “The announcement today that Sacramento will be the next National Women’s Soccer League city shows how we are poised to emerge from the pandemic more vibrant than ever, with a new stadium where generations of fans can make memories and draw inspiration,” he said. “I’m thrilled to welcome women’s major league sports to Sacramento. Thank you to Commissioner Baird and to (Sacramento Republic FC owner) Ron Burkle and his team for having such faith in our great city.”

Also in July, Major League Soccer announced Sac Republic FC and two other expansion franchises would have their entry into the MLS pushed back a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Sacramento and St. Louis will join MLS in 2023 and Charlotte will join the league in 2022.