EXPANSION: YUBA FOOTBALL CLUB

PRESS RELEASE

DIVISION II REDWOOD CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS TO COMPETE IN WPSL’S FIRST DIVISION FOR 2026

OKLAHOMA CITY (1/13/2025) — The Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) confirmed today Yuba Football Club will compete in the league’s first division this summer after the club recorded a successful 2025 campaign in the Division II season. With the announcement, Yuba Football Club joins Vale SC as second Division II side to make the jump to the WPSL’s top tier of competition.
 

“Inclusion in the WPSL [first division] will significantly elevate our organization by placing our players, staff, and overall program in a high-standard, highly competitive environment,” Pete Afato, Yuba Football Club owner and head coach, said. “This level of competition will strengthen our culture, sharpen our identity, and allow us to measure ourselves against top programs, reinforcing our commitment to growth while proving we belong among the top teams in Northern California.”
 

Yuba Football Club finished the 2025 Division II season with a 8-1-1 record while outscoring opponents in the Redwood Conference 19 to seven. The successful on-field campaign earned the Sacramento-based club the top spot in regular season standings before it claimed the Redwood Conference Champions title.

Afato founded the club in 2022 with a mission to deliver an exceptional semi-professional soccer experience by developing local talent and providing a clear pathway for players to advance to higher levels while establishing itself as Northern California’s premier hub for talent. Through this mission, Yuba Football Club remains dedicated to fostering a competitive and supportive environment, that it believes it can achieve with the WPSL, that will engage its community through accessible soccer and empower local athletes to achieve their highest potential.

“The WPSL aligns directly with our mission to develop, challenge, and empower female athletes in a professional, high-standard environment,” Afato said. “Our goal within the women’s game is to provide meaningful competition while creating professional development opportunities through the club, both on and off the field, and building clear pathways to the next level.”
 

Afato will once again lead Yuba Football Club for the 2026 season alongside fellow Northern California native Matthew Hubbard. Afato oversees both women’s and men’s programs for Yuba, earning multiple titles on both sides, and is known for his player-first development philosophy and strong commitment to community-driven growth which has paved the foundation for Yuba’s early success. Hubbard leads the Antelope High School soccer program and has been with Yuba since 2024.
 

“Through the WPSL, we can continue to offer opportunity, accelerate development, and position our club among the top women’s programs in Northern California,” Afato said. “Competing in one of the most respected women’s leagues in the country will push our athletes to develop faster, raise daily expectations, and demand a professional approach both on and off the field.”
 

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

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For more information on Yuba Football Club follow its social channels on Instagram, Facebook, and X.

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.