FA WSL Cup

FA WSL Continental Cup
Founded 2011
Region  England
Number of teams 19
Current champions Arsenal
Most successful club(s) Arsenal
(4 times)
2015 WSL Cup

The FA WSL Cup is a league cup competition in English women's association football. The competition was originally open to the eight teams in the FA WSL, but since the WSL's expansion to two divisions, it has featured 18 teams. The sponsor Continental AG was announced on 19 August 2011, meaning the competition is referred to as the FA WSL Continental Cup for sponsorship reasons.[1]

Five editions have been played with Arsenal appearing in every final, only being beaten by Manchester City in the 2014 competition.

History

The first edition was played after the inaugural FA WSL season. Arsenal, having already won the WSL and the FA Women's Cup, completed the national treble after a 4–1 win over Birmingham City.[2][3]

The 2012 cup saw a change of format. The straight knock-out was abolished and group-stage with two groups was created. The top two of each group advance to the semi-finals.[4]

2014 saw 18 teams enter, with the new WSL 2 teams joining the WSL teams. There are three groups of six teams. In 2015 for the first time a quarter-final stage was played.

For 2016 the cup changed to a true knock-out format and abolished the group stage. A move which was made in agreement with the clubs to increase excitement and competitiveness.[5] With 19 teams, the bottom six teams play a preliminary round. The round of 16 following that is seeded, so that WSL 1 teams meet WSL 2 teams, who have home advantage.

List of finals

Year Winner Result Runners-up
2011 Arsenal 4–1 Birmingham City
2012 Arsenal 1–0 Birmingham City
2013 Arsenal 2–0 Lincoln Ladies
2014 Manchester City 1–0 Arsenal
2015 Arsenal 3–0 Notts County
Titles Team
4 Arsenal
1 Manchester City

References

  1. ↑ "FA WSL goes Continental". The FA. 19 August 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  2. ↑ "VIDEO: Gunners lift Continental Cup". The FA. 25 September 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  3. ↑ "Arsenal and Tavagnacco take first-leg leads". UEFA. 29 September 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  4. ↑ "FA WSL Conti Cup draw announced". fawsl.com. 21 February 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  5. ↑ "FA WSL Continental Cup is knockout!". shekicks.net. 10 December 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2015.

External links

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