April 8, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY (April 8, 2026) — The Women’s Premier Soccer League announced today Bay City Reign will join the Gulf Coast Conference’s Sunshine Division for the 2026 season. The addition of the Tampa-based club intensifies heated geographical rivalries with existing WPSL clubs.
“When we started this club, it was with the sole purpose of creating a competitive soccer environment focused solely on women’s soccer,” Edwin Paiz, Bay City Reign head coach, said.
Founded in 2025, the club saw initial on-field success in the UPSL going 8-3-5 in regional UPSL play before making the jump to the WPSL for the 2026 season kicking off May 4.
As head coach, Paiz brings a wealth of experience at the youth, high school, and amateur women’s levels in the Tampa Bay area, including an unbeaten season and state title in the UPSL.
“When I look at our roster, it’s crazy to see the amount of talent we have. Our group currently includes former division one, two, NAIA and NJCAA players, former professionals, and players currently committed to play division one, division two, and NJCAA next year,” Paiz said. “What’s even crazier is to see how well they get along on and off the field. We’ve created a nice little family here. I love it.”
The 28th WPSL season kicks off May 4, culminating with the WPSL Championships July 17-19. See the full league schedule here.
Follow the Bay City Reign on Instagram.
For more information about the WPSL, visit wpslsoccer.com.
About the Women’s Premier Soccer League
With more than 180 teams across two divisions competing in its 28th season of play, the Women’s Premier Soccer League stands as the largest women’s soccer league in the world and the longest continuously running league in North America. Launched with eight teams in Northern California in 1998, the WPSL’s two divisions now span 150 cities in 38 states, from the Pacific Northwest to South Florida, New England to Southern California. Some of the game’s most iconic players honed their talents in the WPSL including Brandi Chastain, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Rose Lavelle, and Catarina Macario. In 2025, more than 100 WPSL alumnae played professionally in leagues across the globe, dominated rosters in the 2025 NCAA Division I College Cup, and MAC Hermann Trophy balloting. The WPSL is one of the leading pillars in women’s soccer in the United States and remains committed to its mission of advancing the game through long-term impact and its affiliations with the United States Soccer Federation and Tier 1 League sanctioning by the United States Adult Soccer Association.
