NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said Wednesday that the league plans to add an 18th team, with a target launch in 2028, signaling continued expansion for the 14-year-old league.

“It is our intention to admit Team 18, and we are targeting a 2028 launch,” Berman said during an appearance in Atlanta one day after announcing the league’s 17th franchise, as reported by Jeff Kassouf of ESPN.

On Tuesday night, Berman, along with Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United owner Arthur Blank, announced that Atlanta will begin NWSL play in 2028 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The yet-to-be-named club is the first expansion team awarded under the NWSL’s new ad hoc process, which allows the league to admit ownership groups on a case-by-case basis rather than in paired cycles. Article Continues Below

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