P R E S S  R E L E A S E

 

VALE SC MAKES JUMP TO WPSL’s FIRST DIVISION 

 

 

OKLAHOMA CITY (October 22, 2025) — The Women’s Premier Soccer League announced today its first expansion team for the 2026 season with the promotion of Vale SC. With the announcement, Vale SC will also field a development team in WPSL Division II for a second season to retain the club’s vision in becoming a leading soccer club in the WPSL through its dedication to competitive success, player development, and community impact. The addition of Vale SC to the first division strengthens the league’s footprint in New England as the club joins reigning WPSL Champions, Sporting CT in the Connecticut market.

 

“The WPSL is excited to see Vale SC make the jump to our top competition this summer,” Matt Homonoff, WPSL deputy commissioner, said. “The club showed well on and off the field in WPSL Division II in 2025, using our development platform to build interest in higher level opportunities through its growing player pool and presence within the Middletown community.”

 

 

Vale SC finished the 2025 season 7-0-0 to win the WPSL Division II Metro Conference, scoring 28 goals while conceding only three in its league debut. Established in 2023, the club competed as an U-23 side to provide a developmental platform for aspiring female players before joining the WPSL. 

 

“We’re incredibly excited about the opportunity to step up and compete in the WPSL [First Division] while continuing our presence in Division II,” Lloyd Warren, Vale SC sporting director, said. “This dual platform allows us to provide meaningful opportunities and pathways for the more than 60 women in our program—from college players to emerging youth prospects—all within a professional, high-performance environment that represents Vale SC and our surrounding community.” 

  

The newly promoted first team will be coached by Jonathan Murray, who led the team to its undefeated inaugural season in WPSL Division II last year. Along with his duties at Vale SC, Murray is on the technical staff of the Yale University Women’s side. 

 

“The promotion [to WPSL’s first division] is a testament to the players’ dedication and the collective culture we’ve built at Vale,” Murray said. “Competing at this level, while maintaining our Division II team, strengthens our players pathway and ensures that every athlete in our program has the platform to grow, compete, and reach their potential.”

 

Along with its on-field success in 2025, Vale SC celebrated the opening of Middlesex Heath Stadium, a state-of-the-art venue that serves as the central hub for Vale SC senior teams and youth programs. 

 

Through its play in the WPSL, the club looks to grow and strengthen the women’s game within the Middletown community through mentorship, outreach, and collaboration. Beginning in 2026, the club will launch the Vale Women’s Mentorship Program to further connect first-team players with younger athletes from the community, guiding their growth on the field and off. 

 

The 28th WPSL season kicks off in mid-May, culminating with the WPSL Championships in July. Conference and division alignment will be announced at the WPSL Annual General Meeting January 30-31. The 2026 WPSL schedule will be announced in March. 

 

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For more information on Vale SC, visit ​​valesc.com or follow its Instagram channel. 

For more information on the WPSL, visit wpslsoccer.com. 

 

About the Women’s Premier Soccer League 

The WPSL completed its 27th season in 2025 remaining the most tenured women’s league in North America. The WPSL continues to operate as the largest women’s soccer league in the world. An all-time high of 150 teams competed in the 2025 WPSL Season. Team rosters feature elite collegiate, post-collegiate, international, and standout prep student-athletes. Many of the United States’ most accomplished women’s national team players have played in the WPSL since its inception in 1998, including household names such as Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Abby Wambach, and Brandi Chastain.