The 2025–26 season is the inaugural season for Sporting Club Jacksonville and the club's first in the USL Super League (USLS), one of two leagues sanctioned as the top tier of women's soccer in the United States.
Background More commonly known as Sporting JAX, the club was awarded a franchise in the USL Super League in May 2023 and officially unveiled its name and branding in December of the same year. The club appointed former Vanderbilt associate head coach Stacey Balaam as its first head coach in April 2025.
The team plays its home matches at Hodges Stadium on the campus of the University of North Florida while a new soccer-specific stadium is under development.
Roster and staff Roster
(vice-captain)
(captain)
Out on loan
Academy players
Ownership
Ownership
Executive
Executive
Technical staff
PositionName Head of Soccer, Sporting Director Mark Warburton Head Coach Stacey Balaam Associate Head Coach Alan Kirkup Goalkeeper Coach Mat Cosgriff Head of Sports Performance Steve Fell
Transfers In PlayerPrevious SquadDateRef. Georgia Brown South Florida BullsMay 21, 2025 Ashlyn Puerta Florida State Seminoles Caroline Murray ThrotturJune 3, 2025 Parker Roberts Orlando Pride Zara Siassi North Florida Ospreys Sophia Boman Minnesota Golden GophersJune 18, 2025 Maddie Kemp Kentucky Wildcats Paige Kenton Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens Katie Sullivan Athlone Town A.F.C. Ladies Baylee DeSmit Loyola GreyhoundsJune 26, 2025 Andrea Fernández Flagler Saints Jamie Gerstenberg Indiana Hoosiers Jessie Hunt Northeastern Huskies Helena Errington Wellington Phoenix FCJuly 1, 2025 Meg Hughes Michigan State Spartans Sophie Jones Chicago Red Stars Kaitlyn Parks Michigan State Spartans Jade Pennock Central Coast Mariners FC Grace Phillpotts Brooklyn FC Daviana Vaka Fort Lauderdale United FC Julia Lester Seattle Reign FCJuly 9, 2025 Sydney Schmidt Jacksonville FCJuly 10, 2025 Hailey Smith Sporting JAX Soccer Academy Sarah Weisberg Sporting JAX Soccer Academy Libby Smith Birmingham City W.F.C.September 9, 2025 Kacey Smekrud Åland UnitedJanuary 13, 2026 Cristina Roque Racing Louisville FC Maggie Illig Michigan State SpartansJanuary 28, 2026 Abby Boyan Utah RoyalsFebruary 18, 2026 Coco Thistle California Golden Bears Presley Cason IMG Academy
Out PlayerTransferred ToDateRef. Sydney Schmidt North Carolina CourageOctober 16, 2025 Libby SmithFree agentDecember 23, 2025 Hailey Smith Baylor BearsJanuary 2026 Helena Errington FHMarch 24, 2026 Daviana VakaFree agentMay 20, 2026
Preseason Training camp Sporting JAX officially opened its inaugural preseason training camp on July 8, 2025, with sessions held at the Episcopal School of Jacksonville's Knight Sports Campus. The team began full-squad training in preparation for its debut season, focusing on tactical development, team-building, and fitness assessments ahead of scheduled scrimmages and international friendlies.
On July 15, 2025, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence visited the Sporting JAX women's team during their second week of training camp. Lawrence addressed the players ahead of their inaugural season, offering encouragement and support. His visit was seen as a gesture of solidarity between Jacksonville's professional sports teams, with Lawrence telling the players, “Represent the city well — we’re all rooting for you.” The team presented Lawrence with a personalized Sporting JAX jersey bearing the number 16.
On July 22, ahead of their first closed-door scrimmage against the Orlando Pride of the NWSL, head coach Stacey Balaam announced that Sophie Jones had been named team captain, with Parker Roberts serving as vice-captain.
As part of their preseason schedule, Sporting JAX is set to participate in three closed-door scrimmages against the aforementioned Orlando Pride, the University of Florida, and fellow USL Super League side Lexington SC.
The club will then host its first public preseason matches against Hibernian W.F.C., the 2025 Scottish Women's Premier League champions, and Welsh side Wrexham A.F.C. Women, widely known for their association with actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, through the Emmy Award-winning FX docuseries Welcome to Wrexham. These matches will mark Sporting JAX's first appearances in international competition.
On August 1, the club announced the postponement of its preseason match against Wrexham AFC Women, originally scheduled for August 10. The postponement was attributed to a number of injuries and limited player availability within the Wrexham squad, making it impossible for the team to travel and field a competitive side. Both clubs stated they are working to identify a new date for the fixture. Wrexham AFC Chairman Michael Williamson expressed disappointment and apologized to fans, while Sporting JAX President and CEO Steve Livingstone voiced support for Wrexham's decision and emphasized the club's commitment to player well-being and a strong inaugural season. As compensation, Sporting JAX announced plans to add a 16th home fixture for the 2025–26 season and offered refunds or ticket exchanges to fans affected by the postponement.
The preseason friendly between Sporting JAX and Hibernian W.F.C., originally scheduled for August 2, was canceled due to inclement weather, including heavy thunderstorms, and an unplayable field. The decision was made following a weather assessment prior to kickoff and forecasts of continued storms throughout the evening. Club officials expressed disappointment at the cancellation, citing safety concerns and unfavorable field conditions. Both teams explored the possibility of holding a closed-door scrimmage later the same night, weather permitting. Sporting JAX announced plans to schedule a replacement home fixture during the 2025–26 Gainbridge Super League season to maintain their 16-match slate and offered affected ticket holders a full refund or exchange.
On August 7, 2025, Sporting JAX hosted a free open training session at Veterans Park in St. Johns, Florida, for youth soccer players, coaches, and families across the First Coast. The event, presented by Ascension St. Vincent's, was organized following the cancellation of preseason matches against Hibernian FC and Wrexham AFC Women, and offered fans the opportunity to watch training, meet players, and collect autographs.
In mid-August 2025, vice-captain Parker Roberts sustained a right ACL injury, ruling her out for most of the season. In an interview, she stated that she hopes to return to play later in the season.
The full schedule for the 2025–26 USL Super League season was released on May 6, 2025. Sporting JAX opened their inaugural campaign at home against DC Power FC on August 23, 2025. The regular season will run through May 16, 2026, with matches primarily held on weekends.
Regular season Jade Pennock scored the first goal in club history during the season opener against DC Power FC. Sporting JAX ultimately lost 3 to 1. The club announced the number of total ticket sales for the inaugural match as 9,783.
On August 26, Sporting JAX announced a friendly against Kansas City Current II to replace the canceled friendly against Hibernian W.F.C. The new match was scheduled for September 19, 2025. They won the match 1–0.
In the club's second match on August 30, 2025, Ashlyn Puerta scored the team's first brace in a 3–2 victory over Tampa Bay Sun FC, earning Sporting JAX their first win. She would go on to score the club's first Hat-trick on September 28, 2025, in a 4–3 victory over Carolina Ascent FC.
On September 16, Jacksonville Jaguars placekicker Cam Little visited a Sporting JAX training session. During the visit, he participated in various soccer-related activities, including juggling and accuracy challenges. In recognition of his participation, the club presented him with a personalized No. 39 jersey. Prior to his transition to American football, Little had a background in soccer.
For her outstanding performances in September 2025, Ashlyn Puerta was named USL Super League Player of the Month—marking the first time a player from the club has received this honor. Puerta, along with teammate Julia Lester, was also named to the USL Super League Team of the Month for September.
On October 14, Kaitlyn Parks recorded the club's first clean sheet in a 1–0 victory over DC Power FC. On November 6, she won the USL Super League Save of the Month for a high-rising save made during the match.
Two days later, on October 16, Sporting JAX academy player, Sydney Schmidt, was signed to a professional contract by North Carolina Courage of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
Sporting JAX secured their first official home win, a 2–0 victory over Fort Lauderdale United FC, on November 22, 2025. During the match, Ashlyn Puerta scored her tenth goal of the season in her eleventh match, setting a USL Super League record for the fastest player to reach ten goals.
In December, the club earned its second USL Super League Player of the Month honor in three months when Paige Kenton was recognized for November 2025, having recorded two goals and one assist on six shots during the month.
Although an expansion team, a 3–1 victory over Tampa Bay Sun FC on December 20, 2025, placed Sporting JAX atop the USL Super League standings at the winter break. With her 11th goal at the season's midpoint, Ashlyn Puerta moved within two of the 13 goals that secured the previous season's Golden Boot.
For her coaching efforts in December 2025, Balaam was named USL Super League Coach of the Month. The team went 2–0–1 and took the lead in the league standings over Lexington SC.
In March 2026, goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks was named USL Super League Player of the Month for her contributions made during the month of February. She allowed only one goal and the team won three of four matches.
Sporting JAX clinched a playoff berth in its inaugural season on April 6, following Fort Lauderdale United's 3–1 victory over DC Power, which mathematically eliminated DC Power from surpassing Jacksonville in the standings. The club, at the time of clinching the playoff spot, was in first place with 44 points and had six regular-season matches remaining, including two home fixtures.
Uniforms During the 2025–26 season, Sporting JAX used two variations of their away kit: one featuring white socks and another featuring blue socks.
In October 2025, for a match against Tampa Bay Sun FC, the team wore pink socks in tribute to Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Broadcasting In August 2025, Sporting JAX announced a broadcast partnership ahead of its inaugural season. The agreement includes local television coverage of most home matches through partnerships with First Coast News (WTLV NBC 12/WJXX ABC 25) and News4Jax (WJXT 4), making matches accessible to viewers across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. Select Saturday home games will air on WJXT Channel 4, while additional matches will be broadcast on WJXX ABC 25, WTLV NBC 12, and QUEST 25.3. The season opener, along with all home and away fixtures, will also stream on Peacock, in line with league broadcasting regulations. The club's leadership emphasized the importance of regional accessibility and community engagement through local media partnerships.
Competitions Friendlies
USL Super League
League table
Results summary
Match results
Playoffs
Statistics Appearances