Speaking at an open supporters forum Wednesday, Portland Timbers and Thorns owner Merritt Paulson admitted that he has “commitments” from three new ownership groups to expand the NWSL over the next few years. One of those teams is reportedly Atlanta United.

Merritt Paulson spoke on Wednesday night about three groups committed to joining the #NWSL over the next two years. A source says they are Sacramento Republic, Louisville City FC and Atlanta United FC, with Sac/L'ville being the most advanced discussions.https://t.co/BVoZafiG72 — Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) August 23, 2019

Equalizer Soccer says timelines for the teams to join the league are not finalized, and that Atlanta is likely in the most preliminary discussions of the groups involved.

Earlier this summer, Darren Eales admitted in an interview with the Atlanta Business Chronicle that a women’s team would be coming “sooner rather than later.”

From our perspective, we haven’t considered a women’s team – yet...As we look to the future, given the continued growth of the women’s game and women’s soccer, it clearly is going to be on our radar.

In March, Atlanta United purchased 17 acres of land located adjacent to its training facility for $9.6 million (thank you Miguel Almirón) as first reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.