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EXPANSION NEWS: International Affiliate Joins UWS East Conference

02/27/2025, 9:45am EST
By Jonathan Ward

BALTIMORE, MD- United Women’s Soccer (UWS) is proud to announce the addition of Racing Power FC USA to the league’s Eastern Conference for the upcoming 2025 Summer of Soccer. A well-respected name in European women’s soccer, Racing Power FC is expanding its footprint into the United States with a new team based in Baltimore, Maryland.

Originally established in 2020, Racing Power FC has quickly risen to prominence in LIGA BPI, Portugal’s top-tier women’s professional league. The club recently finished third in the 2023/2024 season, narrowly missing a berth in the FIFA Women’s Champions League. Racing Power FC has demonstrated its commitment to excellence by securing multiple national titles, including unbeaten championships in both the 2nd and 3rd Divisions and the AF Setúbal Women’s Cup in 2023.

The expansion into the U.S. reflects the club’s mission to foster player development and create a direct pipeline for American talent to compete at the highest levels of professional women’s soccer in Portugal.

Building Bridges Between the U.S. and Portugal

Racing Power FC USA will be led by Head Coach and General Manager Val Teixeira, who sees this international expansion as a crucial step in developing elite talent in the U.S.

“I have watched the tremendous growth of women’s soccer, from youth to professional levels, in the United States over the last two decades,” said Teixeira. “This type of international expansion is exactly what we need to help domestic players continue competing at the highest levels of soccer. We are excited to create a direct pathway for talented players to gain professional opportunities in Portugal.”

Echoing Teixeira’s enthusiasm, Ismael Duarte, Executive Director of Racing Power FC, emphasized the club’s commitment to strengthening its ties to the U.S. market.

“The connection to the United States through participation in a league within the number-one ranked country in women’s football presents a unique opportunity to expand our international presence and create synergies that will benefit both our players and our emigrant communities,” said Duarte. “We are convinced that this partnership will mark a new stage of success and growth.”

UWS Welcomes a Global Powerhouse

UWS Commissioner Joe Ferrara expressed his excitement about welcoming Racing Power FC USA to the league, highlighting the importance of bringing in high-quality clubs with strong leadership.

“Our mission at UWS has always been to elevate women’s soccer by providing a competitive and professional environment for top-tier athletes,” said Ferrara. “Adding Racing Power FC—a club with a proven track record of success in Portugal—reinforces our commitment to expanding opportunities for players and growing the women’s game on an international scale. The leadership and vision of Racing Power FC align perfectly with UWS, and we look forward to seeing their impact on the field.”

Racing Power FC USA will debut in Summer 2025 and will also launch a U20 Women’s Team to further enhance player development.

Join the Movement

Players interested in competing for Racing Power FC USA in the upcoming UWS season can contact the club at racingpowerusa@gmail.com.

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