In the 1970s, the Tampa Bay area became a sports region when it got its first team: the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay has since added a hockey, baseball, and men’s soccer team. However, the latest edition to Tampa Bay is a women’s soccer team: Tampa Bay Sun FC.

     Tampa Bay Sun FC is currently in its inaugural season as a member of the USL Super League, a subsidiary of the United Soccer League. The USL Super League consists of eight clubs that play one weekly match. While this league has no ties to the National Women’s Soccer League, the matches are just as competitive.

     “I think it’s really exciting to have another league in the US and also to have a club that’s local to go watch,” said junior Leilani MacIntyre, a member of the girls soccer team at Shorecrest. “I was super excited because I was seeing a bunch of signings, and they have been bringing in a lot of European players and some college players, so I think it’s really interesting.” MacIntyre attended a previous match against Dallas Trinity FC on August 18th.  Energy is high at the team’s matches, and supporters hear the loud banging of drums and see dramatic fog coming from smoke machines.

     The Sun play their home matches at Riverfront Stadium, part of Blake High School’s campus in Tampa. Despite playing in a high school stadium, everything is very professional, with a pop-up merchandise shop in the main plaza and Armature Works concession stands.

         Upper School History Teacher Daniel Asad, a massive fan of the sport, said, “I’m a big supporter of women’s soccer. I have three daughters, and I have always encouraged my daughters to play soccer, thus it is important for them to see heroes on the field. Everyone needs heroes they can look up to, and whom they can relate to.”

     However, there is one thing that soccer in the United States lacks: a promotion and relegation system, wherein teams can change leagues depending on their performance.

     When asked about a promotion/relegation system like the ones seen in Europe, Asad said, “I’m a big fan of a relegation and promotion system. I think that is something that is very lacking in US Soccer, for any gender. A relegation system creates an interesting championship on both sides, both at the top of the table and at the bottom of the table. We don’t have that, unfortunately, but I think the development of players is extremely important.”

     Overall, it’s only the first year of this new league and team, but it seems to be a success already. From just attending a match, one could see why the stadium is always packed. The Sun are Tampa Bay’s first pro women’s soccer team, and the stadium is placed along Tampa’s scenic river way. The club and the league have a bright future, and it will be interesting to see how this league will grow and develop over the next few years.