Metuchen, NJ – Club 9 Sports today announced Carrie Taylor the managing director of the recently announced alliance between United Women’s Soccer (UWS) and National Independent Soccer Association (NISA). She will lead the establishment of the new UWS professional women’s league.
“On behalf of UWS, I’m looking forward to working with Carrie to make this project a success,” said Executive Director Stephanie Cleaves. “Club 9’s expertise will be essential in guiding us through the sanctioning process to professional status. Our focus is to provide more opportunities for women, and this is the logical next step!”
Taylor’s primary activities include completing the UWS professional league application for sanctioning with US Soccer, working with Cleaves as well as the UWS and Club 9 executive staff members to identify the initial slate of professional clubs, and establishing the league’s front office infrastructure and operations.
“Over the past year, I did a lot of introspection as to where I can make the biggest impact on the game,” says Taylor. “I have realized my skill set and experience is best served helping grow equitable opportunities for women players, coaches and front office talent. This is my personal calling.”
Taylor brings a wealth of experience in start-up and early-stage development of soccer organizations. Most recently, Taylor served as a technical consultant for the Jamaican Women’s National Team where she helped prepare a three-year strategic plan and budget that was presented to the Jamaican Football Federation.
Previous to that role, Taylor famously became the first female coach of any kind in the top tiers of modern U.S. men’s professional soccer, working with Landon Donovan as he launched San Diego Loyal SC. She also earned marketing and community relations experience as campaign manager for Soccer City SD – an ultimately unsuccessful bid to bring an MLS team and stadium to San Diego.
“Each of those experiences will help me develop and execute strategy as well as build relationships on behalf of UWS,” she says. “There is excitement around a startup. We’ve never had two sustainable pro leagues for women in the US. There is clearly room to create more opportunities for women. I look forward to working with and learning from everyone in UWS and NISA.”
The UWS professional league is targeting play in 2022. The alliance will make more announcements in the coming weeks.
About Club 9 Sports
Chicago-based Club 9 Sports advises, operates, and consults in the sports industry. Specifically, the firm focuses on sports teams, media, venues and transaction facilitation on a global basis. Club 9 Sports takes an operational, hands-on approach to providing solutions for its clients. is a subsidiary company of Prometheus Capital Partners The firm also selectively invests in and manages as a principal businesses which meet its specific criteria. Learn more at Club9Sports.com.
About United Women’s Soccer
United Women’s Soccer is a national pro-am league comprised of professionally operated clubs within the United States and Canada. UWS provides high level competition for college players, aspiring and former professionals, and international stars. The season runs from May until the end of July, culminating in a national championship. The league fills the gap between the college and professional ranks, and it has produced more than 17 National Women’s Soccer League draftees and 100 professional contracts since its inception in 2016.
Stay connected on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn. Media can contact the UWS Communications office by e-mail at info@uwssoccer.com. Visit the league’s official website at UWSSoccer.com. Interested team applicants can contact Executive Director Stephanie Cleaves at steph@uwssoccer.com.
About NISA
The National Independent Soccer Association was founded in 2017 with a mission to bring professional soccer to every city in the United States. A pro league member of U.S. Soccer, NISA focuses on a model based on meritocracy, independent clubs controlling their own league, clubs owning their intellectual property, all without the barrier of territorial rights. Sanctioned by the U.S. Soccer Federation, NISA also runs the mid-summer Independent Cup, open to independent professional and amateur clubs alike. For more information about NISA visit NISAOfficial.com or contact at info@nisasoccer.com. Follow NISA on Twitter @NISALeague and on Instagram @nisasoccer.
