FORT MYERS, Fla. - Florida Gulf Coast University women's soccer legend Julia Roddar has helped her London City Lionesses team earn promotion from the Barclay's Women's Championship to the Barclay's Women's Super League, the highest division of the English women's soccer pyramid.

The final game of the 20-match Championship season proved to be the most important as London City traveled to face Birmingham City with first place in the league and automatic promotion to the Super League on the line. A pair of goals staked the Lionesses to a 2-0 lead, then the guests held on to earn a 2-2 draw and win the league with 43 points - two better than their rivals from Birmingham.

Roddar signed a two-year contract with London City prior to the start of the 2024-25 campaign. Included in her debut season with London City was her first appearance in the Women's FA Cup.

An Olympic silver medalist with Sweden in the 2020 Olympics, Roddar played for four seasons in Sweden before playing for the Washington Spirit of the National Women's Soccer League in 2021 and 2022. She then returned to her native land, playing in Sweden before joining London City in the Women's Championship.

London City is owned by philanthropist and businesswoman Michelle Kang. She purchased the Washington Spirit of the National Women's Soccer League in 202 before buying London City in 2023. She has also added Lyon to her portfolio of women's teams. She has also pledged $30 million to US Soccer for the purpose of transforming women's and girl's soccer in America.