Strykers Bring Women’s Pro Soccer to the IE with Empire Pulse
Ontario, Calif. — The Empire Strykers today announced the launch of Empire Pulse, a new professional women’s indoor soccer team that will operate alongside the organization’s men’s side, which has been a member of the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) since its founding in 2013. After the Empire Pulse roster is built in coming weeks and months, the new team will prepare to start competing in 2027.
While the MASLW gives opportunities to elite amateur players throughout the United States, there is currently no fully professional competition the Pulse could join. Club and league officials have expressed optimism that could soon change, as well as hope that other MASL outfits could follow suit and also field women’s teams.
The Strykers have introduced the Inland Empire, its home region, to professional women’s indoor soccer over the course of the past few seasons, highlighting standout players from Southern California through several showcase events that helped gauge the viability of establishing a permanent team. The response gave the organization the confidence to move forward.
On March 29 of this year, a doubleheader featuring Strykers men’s and women’s sides drew 7,861 fans at Ontario’s Toyota Arena, setting a new club attendance record and the highest attendance posted by any MASL side during the 2025-26 campaign.
“These last few seasons have given us an opportunity to put women’s indoor soccer in front of our fans and see what was possible,” said Empire Strykers Managing Partner Jeff Burum. “Now, we’re ready to build something that truly belongs to our region and that will play a major part in helping continue the impressive growth of women’s pro sports in the U.S. and around the world.”
Burum continued, “We’re blessed with an incredible amount of women’s soccer talent throughout Southern California, and we need more professional opportunities for those players here at home. Empire Pulse allows us to create one such opportunity and to build something that young girls, along with young boys and local sports fans of all ages, can cheer for and aspire to be a part of.”
With its nearly 4.8 million residents, the Inland Empire is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country and has been among a few population centers without a major professional women’s sports franchise. Empire Pulse changes that while also aiming to set trends as a lifestyle and community brand reflecting the energy and diversity of the local community.
The Strykers’ sister team will look to reach various parts of society through elite sports, entertainment, events, community initiatives and local collaborations.
Notably, Empire Pulse is meant to create opportunities for women as athletes, coaches, employees, entrepreneurs, partners, volunteers and community leaders. As part of the broader vision, club officials are weighing a player-ownership model that would give players a meaningful stake in the team they represent.
Both the Empire Strykers and the Empire Pulse are committed to treating all individuals with dignity and respect. Player eligibility details for the women’s side are currently being finalized and will be made accessible once the roster building process begins.
Outdoor soccer fans unfamiliar with professional indoor soccer can look forward to an even more exciting and action-packed version of the sport they love. The smaller field, enclosed by boards, creates an extremely fast-paced game featuring end-to-end action. Combined with players’ willingness to interact with fans, the close proximity between arena seating and the field makes for an intensely intimate and memorable experience for all involved.
Anyone interested in trying out for Empire Pulse, exploring partnership or investment opportunities, volunteering, or becoming otherwise involved may learn more by clicking here or contact EmpirePulseSoccer@gmail.com.