“How can you do this because you don’t have a men’s team from which you can draw the equity, the brand power, and the fanbase?” This was exactly the kind of question that many posed to Michele Kang after she acquired WSL 2 side London City Lionesses in 2023. Honestly, not a surprising question, considering to this day, there are certain challenges the women’s game faces. But talk about silencing the critics as 17 months later, Kang proudly says, ‘Anything is possible.’
Yep, you heard it correctly. The Women’s Championship side has achieved promotion to the WSL for the very first time. With this achievement, they will be the only independent club to be competing in the top flight next season. The Hayes, Bromley-based team needed just one point to secure the Championship trophy, and boy did it come perfectly, having played a 2-2 draw against Birmingham City.
Technically, it could have been a dream win for London City Lionesses as after a stalemate opening half, goals from Isobel Goodwin and Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah within the first 15 minutes of the second half gave the away side a perfect lead. But it seemed Birmingham was in no mood to lose at their home ground. Courtesy of Emily van Egmond and Cho So-Hyun in the 63rd and 86th minutes, the Brum ladies were able to reduce the deficit.
Not to mention, the Tom Brady-owned side had been London City’s arch-rivals throughout the campaign, pushing them closely in the standings and trailing the Championship leaders by just a couple of points. Yet, it was Michele Kang’s team that fate favored, securing a historic promotion to England’s top women’s division with a nail-biting game.
https://twiter.com/AttackingThird/status/1919049327999107277
Describing the four-goal thriller as “not good” for her heart, Kang emphasized that this was only a glimpse of the spectacle that fans and women’s soccer truly deserve. “This is a great day for London City Lionesses—the players, coaching staff, and everyone involved. We’re going up to the WSL!” she declared during the post-trophy celebration interview with Sky Sports.
The post Washington Spirit Owner Michele Kang Breaks Major Glass Ceiling for WSL appeared first on EssentiallySports.
