Midfielder Taylor Aylmer, who won a NWSL Championship while with the Washington Spirit in 2021, is heading west like the wind to join Spokane Zephyr FC for its inaugural season.
Aylmer, whose singing is pending league and federation approval, grew up in New York state and played soccer at Rutgers University in New Jersey. She was named to the Big 10 All Freshman team in 2016, and won the Big 10 Sportsmanship Award after her senior season. She appeared in 85 matches for the Scarlet Knights, and was captain her junior and senior years.
“Taylor is an incredible addition to help anchor this historic new club,” said Katie Harnetiaux, President of USL Spokane and co-owner of Aequus Sports. “She will bring experience to this team having played in Gotham, with Washington Spirit, and Racing Louisville, along with some time overseas in Finland. She will be key on and off the field and we can’t wait to bring her talent home to Spokane.
“As a high quality holding midfielder, Taylor knows how to make herself available to her teammates and connect passes forward.”
Aylmer made her professional debut in 2021 for the NJ/NY Gotham FC before signing with the Washington Spirit, where she appeared in 32 matches across two seasons.
In 2023, she added international play to her résumé when she signed with Åland United of the premiere Finnish women’s league, Kansallinen Liga. Aylmer appeared in 12 matches, scoring one goal and one assist, before returning to the U.S. and signing with NWSL club Racing Louisville FC.
It’s that variety of experience that makes Aylmer such an attractive player for Spokane Zephyr FC, which will begin play in August in the United Soccer League’s Super League, a new league sanctioned by the U.S. Soccer Federation as Division One – the top of the women’s soccer pyramid in the United States. .
“As a high quality holding midfielder, Taylor knows how to make herself available to her teammates and connect passes forward,” said Harnetiaux. “This critical ability will spark all kinds of opportunities.”
Aylmer said she was drawn to Spokane after learning about Zephyr’s vision.
“The club’s mindset and culture aligns with my values and I am so excited to be a part of something new and joining a club that is invested in promoting growth for women’s soccer,” she said.
The inaugural season of the USL Super League will include Brooklyn FC, Carolina Ascent FC, Dallas Trinity FC, Fort Lauderdale United FC, Lexington FC, Tampa Bay Sun FC, and Washington, D.C., with eight more clubs joining in 2025 and beyond.
Spokane Zephyr FC will play their first match this August in ONE Spokane Stadium in downtown Spokane, Wash. The home opener date and season schedule will be announced in the coming weeks. Season tickets are now on sale for this historic season that will change the landscape of women’s professional soccer in Spokane, America, and worldwide.
See Aylmer play live this August at ONE Spokane Stadium! Zephyr FC Season Tickets are now on sale!
