In a landmark development for DeKalb County United, our women's program is set to join the United Women's Soccer (UWS) league for the 2025 season.
Established in 2015, UWS stands as one of the premier pro-am women's soccer leagues in North America, bridging the crucial gap between collegiate and professional soccer while maintaining the highest standards of competition and organization.
The advancement to UWS comes after four years of remarkable growth and achievement for the DKCU Ladies program. During this time, the team has consistently demonstrated excellence both on and off the field, embodying the core values that define our club's identity. By joining UWS, DKCU will compete in a league that has helped launch numerous professional careers—notably, seven of the first ten picks in the 2023 NWSL Draft were UWS players.
To ensure continued development opportunities for players at all levels, the club is simultaneously establishing a women's reserve team that will compete in the Illinois Women's Soccer League (IWSL). This two-team structure aligns with UWS's commitment to player development, mirroring their own League Two structure which serves as a developmental pathway for U20/23 players.
John Hall, Club President, shared his enthusiasm about this new chapter:
"In 2025, our women's program takes a significant step forward by joining the United Women's Soccer league. This move recognizes our team's exceptional growth over the past four years and their unwavering dedication to both on-field success and our club's values. To further support this exciting transition, we're establishing a women's reserve team that will continue to compete in the Illinois Women's Soccer League.
We extend our deepest gratitude to our Board of Directors for their unwavering support and to Director of Women's Soccer and Head Coach, Dan Carl, for his tireless efforts in cultivating this thriving program. We eagerly anticipate our UWS journey."
This advancement to UWS represents more than just a change in competition level—it's a testament to the dedication of our players, coaching staff, and the entire DKCU community. As part of UWS, our team will compete in a standards-driven environment that prioritizes quality over quantity, ensuring high-level competition across 8-10 matches, conference playoffs, and the opportunity to compete for a national championship.
Special recognition goes to Dan Carl, Director of Women's Soccer and Head Coach, whose leadership has been instrumental in building a program worthy of this opportunity. Under UWS's professional standards, our home matches will feature enhanced game-day operations including certified athletic trainers, professional referees, and live streaming capabilities, providing our supporters with an elevated match day experience.
The move to UWS aligns perfectly with our commitment to advancing women's soccer in our region. UWS's mission to operate a standards-driven league that provides equality of opportunity for women's soccer resonates deeply with our club's values. The league's professional requirements include quality facilities, experienced coaching staff, and comprehensive marketing and community engagement programs—all elements that will help us continue to elevate the standard of women's soccer in DeKalb County.
Stay tuned for more updates as we prepare for our inaugural UWS season in 2025. The season will run from May through July, featuring high-level competition against established programs from across the region. Fans can look forward to following our journey through UWS Weekly, the league's dedicated show that highlights matches, clubs, players, and communities across the league every Thursday.
For media inquiries and more information about our women's program, please contact our communications department.
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