Report: NWSL considering expansion team in Los Angeles

The National Women's Soccer League is contemplating expansion out west, and the specific city they're thinking of placing a team may be perfect for the sport moving forward.

According to The Athletic's Meg Linehan, the NWSL is currently in expansion talks to add a team based in Los Angeles.

The plan to add a Los Angeles team has not yet been finalized, but WFC LA Inc. has been established as a limited liability company, Linehan adds. Julie Uhrman is listed as the company's CEO and president, but the expansion team's ownership group will reportedly consist of multiple other parties.

“We’re committed to growing our league and expanding our reach into every region in the country,” a spokesperson for the NWSL said in a statement on Wednesday, according to Linehan. “We continue to have meaningful discussions with a number of potential expansion markets and look forward to sharing more when it’s the appropriate time.”

An NWSL team in Los Angeles would complement nicely with the two current Major League Soccer teams in the city -- LAFC and the LA Galaxy.

There currently are nine teams in the NWSL, but none in California. Louisville will boast the league's 10th team in 2021 and Sacramento has been floated as another possible expansion site. Atlanta, Cincinnati and Austin, Texas also have been discussed as possible cities for expansion. 

The NWSL will become the first professional sports league in the United States to return to action amid the coronavirus pandemic next weekend. They'll be competing in a Challenge Cup tournament in Utah on June 27.