DeKalb County United Women’s program advances to United Women’s Soccer League

The DeKalb County United women’s soccer team announced Friday that it will join United Women’s Soccer for the 2025 season.

UWS, according to the DKCU news release, is one of the premier pro-am women’s soccer leagues in North America, bridging the gap between collegiate and professional soccer.

In 2023, the league produced seven of the top 10 picks in the National Women’s Soccer League draft. The NWSL is at the top of the United States league system.

Last year, UWS had 50 teams spread across its East, Midwest and West conferences.

The club will also establish a reserve team that will compete in the Illinois Women’s Soccer league to continue a developmental pathway for under-20 and under-23 players

“In 2025, our women’s program takes a significant step forward by joining the United Women’s Soccer league,” club president John Hall said in a statement. “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.”

Since its inception in 2015, UWS has had 28 NWSL draftees, 141 players go on to sign professional contracts, 49 FIFA World Cup players and 622 NCAA Division I athletes.

DKCU home matches this season will have enhanced game-day features when the season begins in May, according to the release.