Tallahassee’s first women’s soccer club surpasses $50,000 milestone in WeFunder campaign, opening doors for the community to become owners of a sports franchise built to last.
TALLAHASSEE, FL – September 9, 2025. A new era is rising in Tallahassee sports. TLH Reckoning, the city’s first women’s pre-professional soccer team, has officially surpassed $50,000 in reservations required to launch in its community ownership campaign on WeFunder. This milestone unlocks the next stage of the club’s mission: giving fans, families, and changemakers the chance to become co-owners of a sports franchise designed to be player-centered, community-driven, and built to last.
What Is TLH Reckoning?
Founded in 2023 by longtime soccer leader Dr. Ashlee Fontes, TLH Reckoning was created to fill a historic gap: generations of talented athletes in Tallahassee needed a pathway for girls and women to advance from youth soccer into the professional ranks.
Today, TLH Reckoning is changing that reality. Through its year-round academy, competitive teams in both the United Soccer League (USL) W League and Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL), and a groundbreaking Professional Player Pathway Alliance with Gotham FC (2023 National Women’s Soccer League Champions), the club is building an ecosystem that allows young women to develop, compete, and dream without limits.
*Note: TLH Reckoning’s W League team finished 1st in the state of Florida and 2nd across the nation for number of goals scored in the season.
Community Ownership: A New Model for All
The $50,000 milestone represents more than just fundraising success—it marks the formal launch of TLH Reckoning’s community ownership campaign. Utilizing WeFunder, an SEC compliant platform that allows anyone 18 or older to invest with as little as $100, the club is leveraging the modern playbook on sports ownership.
“The community doesn’t just deserve a seat in the stands—they deserve a seat at the table,” said Dr. Fontes, who previously helped launch and lead the Washington Spirit of the NWSL, turning it profitable by year three and into a championship contender by year four. “When communities own their teams, they don’t just cheer for a season—they build something that lasts for generations.”
Funds raised through the campaign will directly support:
- Enhance Player Development: Continue to provide specialized training, mentorship, and resources to prepare athletes for collegiate and professional success.
- Support Holistic Growth: Continue to offer nutrition, mental health, and development programs to help players thrive on and off the field.
- Attract, Retain, & Develop Top Talent: Continue to build a premier destination for female athletes with unmatched development opportunities and career pathways on and off the field.
- Community Outreach: Grow our community programs to reach more families and neighborhoods.
- Business Development: Amplify our marketing to engage fans and sponsors, creating sustainable revenue streams.
- Expand Organizational Support: Hire additional staff to sustain and elevate the organization, ensuring the highest quality development, care, and operational excellence for our players and programs.
- Upgrade Training Facilities: Invest in state-of-the-art equipment and spaces to ensure players have the tools to train and perform at their peak.
Why This Matters
TLH Reckoning’s model reflects a powerful global trend: the growth of women’s sports and the rise of innovative ownership structures. In Tallahassee, it’s also a first-of-its-kind movement—the city’s inaugural community-owned sports team.
For local fans, it’s a chance to rally behind a homegrown franchise. For the national conversation, it’s a test case for how equity, inclusion, and community power can reshape professional pathways in women’s soccer.
This is a Tallahassee Story with a Vision Rooted in National Experience
Dr. Fontes’s journey in soccer spans decades:
- Record-setting player at Florida State University
- First in charge of the Washington Spirit, growing the club into profitability and on-field success
- Founder of the Girls Academy league, born after the closure of the U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy
- Former President of United Soccer Coaches, the world’s largest coaching association
- 2025 FSU Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient
“Every step has shown me the same truth,” Dr. Fontes said. “Opportunities don’t happen by chance—they are created. TLH Reckoning exists because of our local youth players who dream to play professionally, and because of this community. Together, we are making that future real.”
Next Steps: Inviting the Community to Join
With the $50,000 benchmark cleared, TLH Reckoning is officially open for thousands of fans, families, and changemakers to join as community owners. Investors will not only help shape the club’s future but will also have influence in key decisions via electing a community board representative. Join the movement at https://wefunder.com/tlh.reckoning.inc
“This is your moment to be more than a fan,” Dr. Fontes emphasized. “It’s your chance to be an owner.”
Learn more at www.tlhreckoning.com or join the movement at https://wefunder.com/tlh.reckoning.inc.
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About TLH Reckoning
Established in 2023, TLH Reckoning is Tallahassee’s first women’s pre-professional soccer club. Built on an impact-driven, player-centered, and community-fueled model, the club is dedicated to creating equitable opportunities for female athletes to grow, compete, and thrive. Through its academy, competitive teams, and national partnerships, TLH Reckoning is shaping the future of women’s soccer in Tallahassee and beyond.
