This article is about the North American women's soccer league. For the Australian women's soccer league, see
W-League (Australia) .
The USL W-League is a North American women's soccer 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 United Soccer League and Premier Development League .
History [ edit ]
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.
Team
Country
City/area
Stadium
Founded
Head coach
Northeastern Conference
Laval Comets
CAN
Laval, Quebec
Centre Sportif Bois-de-Boulogne
2006
Cindy Walsh
Long Island Rough Riders
USA
South Huntington, New York
Cy Donnelly Stadium
1995
Steve Cadet
New Jersey Wildcats
USA
West Windsor, New Jersey
Saint John Vianney High School
1996
Tommie Boykin
New York Magic
USA
New Rochelle, New York
Mazzella Field
1997
Nino DePasquale
North Jersey Valkyries
USA
Wayne, New Jersey
DePaul Catholic High School
2009
Mark White
Quebec Dynamo ARSQ
CAN
Quebec City, Quebec
Complexe de Soccer Honco de Lévis
2014
Marc Mounicot
Southeastern Conference
Atlanta Silverbacks Women
USA
Chamblee, Georgia
Atlanta Silverbacks Park
1998
Iggy Moleka
Braddock Road Stars Elite
USA
Fairfax, Virginia
Samuel J. Coffey Stadium
2014
Larry Best
Carolina Elite Cobras
USA
Greenville, South Carolina
Kroc Community Center
2010
Andrew Hyslop
Charlotte Lady Eagles
USA
Charlotte, North Carolina
Dickson Field
2003
Mitch Sanford
Dayton Dutch Lions WFC
USA
West Carrollton, Ohio
DOC Stadium
2011
Gavin MacLeod
Washington Spirit Reserves
USA
Washington, D.C.
Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart
2013
Kati Jo Spisak
Western Conference
Arizona Strikers FC
USA
Yuma, Arizona
Desert Sun Stadium
2013
Manny Arias
Calgary Foothills WFC
CAN
Calgary, Alberta
Hellard Field
2015
TBD
Colorado Pride
USA
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Washburn Field
2013
Sian Hudson
Colorado Storm
USA
Parker, Colorado
Sports Authority Stadium
2014
Mike Haas
Colorado Rush Women
USA
Arvada, Colorado
North Area Athletic Complex
2010
Erik Bushey
Santa Clarita Blue Heat
USA
Santa Clarita, California
The Master's College
2008
Guilherme Mitrovich
Seattle Sounders Women
USA
Tukwila, Washington
Starfire Sports Complex
2001
Hubert Busby, Jr.
Former members [ edit ]
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)
Bay Area Breeze CA (2013–2014)
Bradenton Athletics FL (2004–2008)
Boston Renegades MA (1996–2009, Boston Tornado 1995)
Buffalo FFillies 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)
D.C. United Women DC (2011-2012) - (left to National Women's Soccer League )
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 Impact VA (2011–2013)
Fredericksburg Lady Gunners VA (2007–2008)
Gulf Coast Chaos MS (1997)
Gulf Coast Texans FL (2014)
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)
K-W United FC ON (2006–2014, Hamilton Avalanche 2006-2010, Hamilton FC Rage 2011-2012)
Laval Dynamites QC (1997–2001)
Lehigh Valley Cougars PA (1996)
London Gryphons ON (2004-2014)
Los Angeles Blues CA (2008–2014, Pali Blues 2008-2013)
Los Angeles Legends CA (2008–2009)
Los Angeles Strikers CA (2011–2013)
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)
New Jersey Rangers NJ (2008-2012)
Norcal Shockwaves CA (1996–1997)
North Texas Heat TX (1999–2000)
Northern Kentucky TC Stars KY (2002–2003)
Northern Virginia Majestics VA (1999-2012)
Oklahoma Outrage OK (2000–2002)
Orlando Ladyhawks FL (1998)
Ottawa Fury FC ON (2000-2014)
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 Nighthawks 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)
Toronto Lady Lynx ON (2005-2014)
Tulsa Roughnecks OK (1995)
Vancouver Whitecaps Women BC (2003-2012)
Vermont Lady Voltage VT (2005–2008)
Victoria Highlanders Women BC (2011-2012)
Virginia Beach Piranhas VA (2011–2013, Hampton Beach Piranhas 2001-2010)
VSI Tampa Bay FC FL (2013)
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 [ edit ]
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. Click on year for W-League season summaries.
References [ edit ]
Overview
Leagues
Defunct Leagues
Cups
International
Overview
Men's national teams
Outdoor leagues
Indoor leagues
Cup competitions
Men's college soccer
Women's national teams
Women's leagues
Women's college soccer
Defunct men's outdoor leagues
Defunct men's indoor leagues
Defunct women's leagues
Overview
National teams
Leagues
CIS
CCAA
Cup competitions
Men's college soccer
Women's national teams
Women's leagues
Women's college soccer
Defunct leagues