Former United Soccer Coaches president and University of Washington women’s coach Lesle Gallimore has been named the commissioner of the new Girls Academy.
The GA League wasrecently formed following the shuttering of the Girls Development Academy, operated by U.S. Soccer.
Gallimore stepped down following the 2019 season after 26 years at UW. She won 270games and led the Huskies to 15 NCAA Tournament appearances, including two trips to the Elite Eight. She earned Pac-12 Coach of the Year awards in 2000 and 2019. Gallimore graduated from Cal,where she was a four-time All-American.
The GA League consists of 67 teams divided into seven conferences. Most of the teams are former DA teams.
They include MidwestUnited FC, the 2019 Girls DA U-18/19 champion, and academy programs of three NWSL teams, OL Reign, the Houston Dash and Utah Royals AZ.
Lesle is an amazing leader and coach. I’m confident she’ll do a great job with this new position. Congratulations, Lesle!