JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (May 21, 2025) – Sporting Club Jacksonville, the United Soccer League’s expansion franchise, has announced its first two player signings — Georgia Brown and Ashlyn Puerta — as the club prepares for its debut season in the newly launched Division One USL Super League. These standout athletes will form the foundation of Sporting JAX’s inaugural roster as the team makes history by bringing professional women’s soccer to the First Coast.
“These exceptional players set the tone for the type of team we want to be – competitive, disciplined and proud to represent Jacksonville,” said Sporting JAX Head Coach Stacey Balaam. “We’re building something special for this club and this community. Each of these players brings leadership, a relentless work ethic and a genuine commitment to the game.”
The center back from Highworth, England, and a standout at the University of South Florida, Georgia Brown set a school record by scoring four goals in a single game and earned First Team All-American Athletic Conference honors in 2024. A two-time Academic All-America selection, she most recently starred for Florida Elite, where she was named USL W League Defender of the Year, led her team to a #1 national ranking, and scored 11 goals. Brown also played for Oxford United Women’s First Team for three years in the FA Women’s National League.
From San Diego, CA, midfielder/forward Ashlyn Puerta made an immediate impact at Florida State University, playing in all 21 games and scoring four goals and five assists during her freshman season, which included a goal and an assist in FSU’s NCAA Tournament victory over Samford. A former U.S. U-15 National Team player, Puerta has received invitations to U-16 and U-17 camps and was recently selected for the 2025 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship.
The Sporting JAX pro team will take the field for its home opener against DC Power FC on Saturday, Aug. 23, at 7 p.m. at the University of North Florida’s Hodges Stadium, with all regular and postseason soccer matches streaming live on Peacock. The club will announce its preseason home schedule and local broadcast schedule in the coming weeks.
The 2025-26 season marks a historic milestone, not just for the club but also for the city and region, as it introduces professional women’s team sports to the First Coast for the first time. Sporting JAX will play a 28-match regular season from August 2025 through May 2026, divided into a Fall and Spring schedule with a mid-season Winter break, while competing in the nine-team USL Super League.
This announcement follows the club’s recent unveiling of its home and away kits last week. The complete 2025–26 women’s team schedule was also released to provide fans with the full slate of matchups to mark on their calendars.
Season ticket packages and group ticket deposits are now on sale, starting at just $10 per match. Group ticket deposits are also now accepted. Fans can also receive a complimentary inaugural season scarf (while supplies last). Visit www.sportingjax.com/tickets or call (904) 863-KICK to be part of this historic season from the beginning.
For the latest Sporting JAX news, matchday updates and behind-the-scenes access, follow @Sporting_JAX across all social media platforms.
