Nov 22, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; National Women’s Soccer League commissioner Jessica Berman answers a question during a press conference ahead of the 2024 NWSL Championship match between the Orlando Pride and the Washington Spirit at CPKC Stadium.

The NWSL intends to add another expansion team in 2028 alongside Atlanta, commissioner Jessica Berman said on Wednesday.

The league announced on Tuesday that Atlanta had been awarded an expansion team and would begin play in 2028.

The Arthur Blank-owned franchise will be the league's 17th team and in a call with the media, Berman said that it wouldn't be entering the league alone.

"It is our intention to admit team 18 and we are targeting a 2028 launch," Berman said.

The two teams will continue a period of rapid expansion for the NWSL, which had 10 teams as recently as the 2021 season. Since then, the league added the San Diego Wave and Angel City FC in 2022, and the Utah Royals and Bay FC in 2024.

Next year will see the entry of the league's 15th and 16th teams: Denver Summit FC and Boston Legacy FC.

Earlier this year, Berman revealed that the NWSL was looking to model itself after men's leagues like MLS, which currently has 30 teams.

The Atlanta franchise is a milestone for the league as it enters a market that has been hugely successful in MLS with Atlanta United. The Atlanta area will also be home to U.S. Soccer's new headquarters and national training center, which is set to open next year.

The new NWSL team will play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which is also the home of Blank-owned teams Atlanta United and the NFL's Atlanta Falcons.

In a press release, the team said that Blank's investment would "include the development of a first-class training ground dedicated to the NWSL club and staff."

“I want to thank commissioner Jessica Berman, NWSL owners and the expansion committee for their trust in awarding Atlanta this opportunity, as well as our executive leadership team for their tireless efforts as we have worked to make this dream a reality," Blank said.

"We can’t wait to see our NWSL club take the pitch in 2028.”

This article originally appeared on Pro Soccer Wire: Berman: NWSL to add second expansion team in 2028

Reporting by Seth Vertelney, Pro Soccer Wire / Pro Soccer Wire

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