March 5, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY (March, 5, 2026) — The Women’s Premier Soccer League announced today The St. James Football Club will join the WPSL for the 2026 season. Today’s expansion announcement further strengthens the WPSL’s presence in the DMV, carrying intense local rivalries onto the national stage.
“The St. James FC is excited to join the WPSL for the 2026 season. This opportunity helps to extend the competitive opportunities for our membership and provide additional support for players across their individual journeys,” Adam Baumgarder, The St. James FC general manager and sporting director, said.
Founded in 2019 with the vision of developing elite, well-rounded soccer players known for their technical skill, sportsmanship, and passion for the game, the club burst onto the national stage in 2022 winning consecutive Girls Academy national championships in 2022 and 2023. Its continued success on the national youth level spurred its decision to add a pre-professional level to the club’s developmental pyramid.
“This is a massive step forward for the women football players TSJ is privileged to serve,” Justin O’Shell, The St. James FC director of Girls Academy, said. “We are building the full pathway here. Joining the WPSL—known for its competitive levels being amongst the highest nationally—assists us in continuing to move forward with this mission.”
O’Shell will serve as head coach in the club’s inaugural WPSL season, with more than 20 years coaching experience including technical leadership roles at some of the leading clubs in the region. He holds a USSF “B” coaching license.
Based in Springfield, Va., just outside of Washington D.C., The St. James FC will play its inaugural WPSL season in the highly competitive The District Division which features clubs from in and around the Washington D.C. metro area. The St. James FC will face Alexandra FC, Arlington Soccer, and fellow expansion side, District Elite FC in divisional play.
The 28th WPSL season kicks off May 4, culminating with the WPSL Championships July 17-19. The full WPSL schedule announcement is slated for March 17.
For more information about The St. James Football Club, visit thesthamessoccer.com. Follow on Instagram, Facebook, and X.
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.
