W-League

The USL W-League is a national women's soccer league in the United States and Canada on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the Women's Premier Soccer League and below Women's Professional Soccer.

The W-League is recognized as North America’s main women’s developmental organization ^[1].The W-League is also an open league, giving college players the opportunity to play alongside established international players while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. The league is administered by the United Soccer Leagues system (the USL), which also oversees the men's USL Pro and USL Premier Development League.

History

The W-League's inaugural season was in 1995. Originally called the United States Interregional Women's League, it later changed its name to the W-League. Although at its inception some of the league's franchises were barely above amateur level, it provided a professional outlet for many of the top female soccer players in the country. With professionals driving the level of play, the league made a very strong debut performance.

From 1995 through the 1997 season the W-League was a single tier format (all teams at the same division). This changed before the 1998 season when the W-League became a two tier league. The top tier/division was called W-1 and lower division, W-2. This division was in effect through the 2001 season - the first year of the new US Women's first division league WUSA. The W-League returned to a single tier format in the 2002 season, and remains as such.

2011 Teams

Eastern Conference

Northeast Division

• D.C. United Women  DC (2011- )
• Long Island Rough Riders  NY (1995-)
• New Jersey Rangers  NJ (2010-)
• New Jersey Wildcats  NJ (1996-)
• New York Magic  NY (1997-)
• North Jersey Valkyries  NJ (2010-)

Atlantic Division

• Atlanta Silverbacks Women  GA (2005-)
• Charlotte Lady Eagles  NC (2000-)
• Dayton Dutch Lions WFC  OH (2011-)
• Fredericksburg Impact  VA (2011-)
• Hampton Roads Piranhas  VA (1995-)
• Northern Virginia Majestics  VA (1999-)

Central Conference

Great Lakes Division

• Hamilton FC Rage  ON (2011- , Hamilton Avalanche 2006-2010)
• Laval Comets  QC (2006-)
• London Gryphons  ON (2004-)
• Ottawa Fury Women  ON (2003-)
• Quebec City Amiral SC  QC (2009-)
• Rochester Ravens  NY (2009-, Rochester Rhinos Women 2004-2008, Rochester Ravens 1996-2003)
• Toronto Lady Lynx  ON (2005-)

Western Conference

• Colorado Force  CO (2009-, Fort Collins Force 1997-2008)
• Colorado Rush  CO (2010- , Real Colorado Cougars 2006-2009, Denver Lady Cougars 2001-2005, Colorado Gold 2000)
• LA Strikers  CA (2011-)
• Pali Blues  CA (2008-)
• Santa Clarita Blue Heat  CA (2010, Ventura County Fusion 2008-2009)
• Seattle Sounders Women  WA (2001-)
• Vancouver Whitecaps Women  BC (2001-)
• Victoria Highlanders Women  BC (2011-)

Former members

• Alabama Angels  AL (1996–1998)
• Albuquerque Crush  NM (2002)
• Arizona Heatwave  AZ (1995, 2001–2005)
• Asheville Splash  NC (2002–2004)
• Atlanta Classics  GA (1997–2000)
• Austin Lady Lone Stars  TX (1999–2000)
• Bradenton Athletics  FL (2004–2008)
• Boston Renegades  MA (1996–2009, Boston Tornado 1995)
• Buffalo Fillies  NY (1996–1998)
• Buffalo Flash  NY (2009-2010) - (left to Women's Professional Soccer)
• Calgary Wildfire  AB (2004)
• California Storm  CA (1997, Sacramento Storm 1995-1996) - (left to Women's Premier Soccer League)
• Carolina Dynamo  NC (2004–2006, 2008, Greensboro Twisters 2002-2003, Piedmont Spark 1999-2001)
• Cary Lady Clarets  NC (2009, Carolina RailHawks Women 2008)
• Central Jersey Splash  NJ (1997–1999)
• Central Florida Krush  FL (2005–2006)
• Charlotte Speed  NC (1998–1999, Carolina Speed 1997)
• Chicago Red Eleven  IL (2009-2010), Chicago Gaels 2005-2008, Chicago Cobras 1996-2004)
• Cincinnati Ladyhawks  OH (2000–2006)
• Cincinnati Leopards  OH (1995)
• Cleveland Eclipse  OH (1996-2001)
• Cleveland Internationals Women  OH (2004-2010) - (left to Women's League Soccer)
• Cocoa Expos Women  FL (2006–2007) - (left to Women's Premier Soccer League)
• Columbus Lady Shooting Stars  OH (2003–2004)
• Columbus Ziggx  OH (1995–1998)
• Connecticut Lady Wolves  CT (1995–1998)
• Connecticut Passion  CT (2008–2009)
• Dallas Lightning  TX (1996–1997, Texas Lightning 1995)
• Delaware Genies  DE (1997–2000)
• Denver Diamonds  CO (1996–2000) - (left to Women's Premier Soccer League)
• Edmonton Aviators Women  AB (2004)
• FC Indiana  IN (2008–2009) - (left to Women's League Soccer)
• Finger Lakes Heartbreakers  NY (1998)
• Fort Wayne Fever  IN (2004–2009)
• Fredericksburg Lady Gunners  VA (2007–2008)
• Gulf Coast Chaos  MS (1997)
• Houston Tornadoes  TX (1999–2001)
• Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues  NY (2009-2010), Jersey Sky Blue 2007-2008)
• Indiana Blaze  IN (1997-2001)
• Jackson Chargers  MS (1998–1999, Jackson Calypso 1997)
• Jacksonville Jade  FL (1999–2002)
• Kalamazoo Quest  MI (1998–1999)
• Kalamazoo Outrage  MI (2008-2010)
• Kansas City Mystics  KS (2001–2002)
• Kentucky Fillies  KY (2000–2002)
• Laval Dynamites  QC (1997-2001)
• Lehigh Valley Cougars  PA (1996)
• Los Angeles Legends  CA (2008–2009)
• Madison Freeze  WI (1996–1997)
• Maryland Pride  MD (1996-2002, Baltimore Bays 1995) - (left to Women's Premier Soccer League)
• Mass Bay Crusaders  MA (1995)
• Memphis Mercury  TN (2001–2002)
• Miami Gliders  FL (1998–1999)
• Michigan Hawks  MI (2006–2008, Detroit Jaguars 2004-2005)
• Mile High Edge  CO (2005–2007, Mile High Mustangs 2001-2004)
• Minnesota Lightning  MN (2006–2009)
• Montreal Xtreme  QC (2004)
• New Brunswick Power  NJ (2000)
• New Hampshire Lady Phantoms  NH (1998–2006)
• New Jersey Lady Stallions  NJ (1998–2004)
• Norcal Shockwaves  CA (1996–1997)
• North Texas Heat  TX (1999–2000)
• Northern Kentucky TC Stars  KY (2002–2003)
• Oklahoma Outrage  OK (2000–2002)
• Orlando Ladyhawks  FL (1998)
• Philadelphia Frenzy  PA (1996–97, Pennsylvania Freedom 1995)
• Portland Rain  OR (2001) - (left to Women's Premier Soccer League)
• Raleigh Wings  NC (1998–2000)
• Rhode Island Lady Stingrays  RI (1996, 2004, Rhode Island Rays 1997-02, Rhode Island Stingrays 2005)
• Richmond Kickers Destiny  VA (2004–2009)
• Rockford Dactyls  IL (1995–2000)
• San Diego Sunwaves  CA (2007, San Diego Gauchos Women 2005-2006)
• San Diego Top Guns  CA (1995-1996)
• San Francisco Night Hawks  CA (1996–97, San Francisco Vikings 1995)
• Silicon Valley Red Devils  CA (1996–1997)
• South Jersey Banshees  NJ (2001–2006)
• Southern California Nitemares  CA (1995–1996)
• Springfield Sirens  MA (1999-2001)
• St. Louis Archers  MO (2004) - (left to Women's Premier Soccer League)
• Sudbury Canadians  ON (2004–2006)
• Tampa Bay Hellenic  FL (2008-2010) - (left to Women's Premier Soccer League)
• Tampa Bay Xtreme  FL (1997-2002)
• Texas Odyssey  TX (2001)
• Toronto Inferno  ON (1999–2004)
• Tulsa Roughnecks  OK (1995)
• Vermont Lady Voltage  VT (2005–2008)
• Washington Freedom Futures  DC (2010), Washington Freedom Reserves 2009, Washington Freedom 2006-2008)
• Western Mass Lady Pioneers  MA (2004–2009)
• West Virginia Illusion  WV (2008)
• Wichita Lady Blues  KS (1995)
• Windy City Bluez  IL (2001–2004)

Past Champions

For 1998 through 2001 the W-League was divided into two divisions: W-1 (the top division) W-2 (the lower division). The numbers in parentheses indicate the number of titles a club has won if they have won multiple titles

• 2011 Atlanta Silverbacks Women 6-1 Ottawa Fury
• 2010 Buffalo Flash 3-1 Vancouver Whitecaps Women
• 2009 Pali Blues (2) 2-1 Washington Freedom Reserves
• 2008 Pali Blues 2-1 FC Indiana
• 2007 Washington Freedom 3-1 Atlanta Silverbacks Women
• 2006 Vancouver Whitecaps Women (2) 3-0 Ottawa Fury Women
• 2005 New Jersey Wildcats 3-0 Ottawa Fury Women
• 2004 Vancouver Whitecaps Women 0-0 (4-2 PSO) New Jersey Wildcats
• 2003 Hampton Roads Piranhas 1-0 Chicago Cobras
• 2002 Boston Renegades (2) 3-0 Charlotte Lady Eagles

• 2001
  • W-1: Boston Renegades 5-1 Vancouver Whitecaps Women
  • W-2: Charlotte Lady Eagles 3-1 Memphis Mercury

• 2000
  • W-1: Chicago Cobras 1-1 (4-2 PSO) Raleigh Wings
  • W-2: Springfield Sirens 2-1 Charlotte Lady Eagles

• 1999
  • W-1: Raleigh Wings (2) 3 -2 Chicago Cobras (OT)
  • W-2: North Texas 5-1 Springfield Sirens

• 1998
  • W-1: Raleigh Wings 4-3 Boston Renegades
  • W-2: Fort Collins Force 3-1 Hampton Roads Piranhas

• 1997 Long Island Lady Riders (2) 2-1 Chicago Cobras (OT)
• 1996 Maryland Pride 3-0 Dallas Lightning
• 1995 Long Island Lady Riders 3-0 Southern California Nitemares

Reference

External link

• W-League website