Former UPSL Women Star Kimmi Ascanio Thriving in Second Season with San Diego Wave in NWSL

Former UPSL Women standout Kimmi Ascanio, a native of Orlando, Florida, is making her mark in her second season with San Diego Wave FC in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Ascanio, who signed her first pro contract with the Wave last year at just 16 years old, has played in every match this season so far, consistently coming off the bench for team.  

Ascanio’s journey to the NWSL began in the UPSL Women’s Florida South Conference, where she starred for Florida United. There, she quickly led her team to back-to-back conference titles, demonstrating her potential from an early age. Born in 2008, Ascanio set a NWSL league record at the time as the youngest player to sign a professional contract with the league.  

Reflecting on her transition to the professional stage, Ascanio expressed her gratitude for the opportunity with San Diego Wave. “It’s an honor to sign my first professional contract with the Wave. This is a remarkable opportunity that required a lot of conversations between my family and I, and I can’t thank them enough for being an incredible support system.” 

“I want to thank everyone involved who have allowed me to represent this amazing club. I am looking forward to continuing to develop my skills and train in the best environment every single day with some of the best players in the world.” 

Ascanio’s success story serves as an inspiration for young players across the UPSL Women’s league, proving that success at this level can open doors to professional opportunities. For information about the UPSL Women’s league, please visit https://women.upsl.com. For information on how to join, visit www.upslregistration.com/application/team 

About United Premier Soccer League

The UPSL was formed in 2011 and occupies the unofficial fourth tier of US Soccer. Across its Premier, Division 1, Women and Academy divisions there are more than 600 teams competing nationwide. The UPSL is the largest Pro Development League in North America and is a National Affiliate member of the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF). Each UPSL team is individually owned and operated. UPSL teams are eligible to participate in the U.S. Open Cup Qualifying Rounds through the league’s affiliation with USSF. More information about UPSL can be found at www.upsl.com or by following the league on Facebook (facebook.com/upslsoccer), Instagram (@upslsoccer) and Twitter (@upslsoccer). Contact UPSL: [email protected] / Media: [email protected].