JACKSONVILLE— Twenty-four soccer players from around the world are making their local historical debut.

Sporting Club Jacksonville has introduced the city’s first women’s professional soccer team, which will go head-to-head with Dallas Trinity FC for its second match on Saturday, Sept. 6.

The club was founded back in 2020 by a local ownership group led by Ricky Caplin, Tim Tebow, Fred Taylor, professional soccer executive Steve Livingstone and community innovator Tony Allegretti. Sporting Club Jax also operates a men’s professional USL Championship club and USL Youth Academy with their 15,000-capacity Hodges Stadium and training facilities.

The team hosted an exclusive open practice on Aug. 7 at Veterans Park, where community youth players were invited to watch the team practice and obtain autographs.

STAFF PHOTO BY KYLA WOODARD

University of Florida women's soccer coach Becky Burleigh acts as a consultant to the women's team.

The club, which represents Clay, Duval, Baker, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties, participates in the Gainbridge Super League, a Division One professional women's soccer league that began in August last year. The league aims to "be a global leader on and off the field, providing more opportunities for more women in more communities than ever before," according to Sporting Jax.

Sporting Club Jax had their first win with the Super League on Aug. 23, propelled by midfielder Ashlyn Puerta. 

Jacksonville's first women's professional soccer team consists of 24 players from around the globe.

PHOTO COURTESY OF COLE PEPPER

At 18, Puerta was the first player to sign to play with the burgeoning powerhouse team. 

"We may be new, but we're a good city. We have a solid foundation," she said. 

Puerta, who grew up in San Diego, said she's been playing soccer ever since she could remember. She played at Florida State University, where she was ranked as the fifth-best freshman by TopDrawerSoccer, and helped the school win its fifth consecutive midseason ACC tournament.

She also played for professional teams abroad, including in Spain and Portugal.

"There's so many good things that I heard about this program. One of the big things was I played for the [USL] W league team last season for the summer leg, and I really liked the coaches, and so they reached out to me."

Stacey Balaam, previously the associate head coach for Vanderbilt University, was hired as the team's head coach earlier this year. Although the team is thriving in their intense, fun and educational practices, she said there is some added pressure.

Sporting Club Jacksonville was founded back in 2020.

STAFF PHOTO BY KYLA WOODARD

"It's going to get people's attention. I think there's a lot of excitement around it, and we've recruited intentionally in terms of both talent level and the right characters to represent. Because we want to make sure that they inspire along the way, as well, for the young girls who also have the dream to be professionals."

With local backing and even some across the pond, Balaam said she hopes the future of the inaugural season continues to bolster their impact.

"We just want to make sure that we're putting on a good product," Balaam said, "not only to represent Jacksonville, but to entertain. To be a team that's going to compete every year for championships."

To view the team's upcoming schedule or to buy tickets, visit sportingjax.com.