W-League

This article is about the North American women's soccer league. For the Australian women's soccer league, see W-League (Australia).

USL W-League

Country	United States Canada
Confederation	CONCACAF
Founded	1995
Folded	2015
Level on pyramid	2
Promotion to	None
Relegation to	None
Last champions	Washington Spirit Reserves
Most championships	Los Angeles Blues (4 titles)
Website	W-League Website

The USL W-League was a North American women's soccer developmental organization. The W-League was also an open league, giving college players the opportunity to play alongside established international players while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. The league was administered by the United Soccer Leagues system (the USL), which also oversees the men's United Soccer League and Premier Development League. The W-League announced on November 6, 2015 that the league will cease operation ahead of 2016 season.

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. By the time the league suspended operations in 2015, there were three, six-team conferences.

Teams

• Alabama Angels AL (1996–1998)
• Albuquerque Crush NM (2002)
• Arizona Heatwave AZ (1995, 2001–2005)
• Arizona Strikers FC AZ (2014-2015)
• Asheville Splash NC (2002–2004)
• Atlanta Classics GA (1997–2000)
• Atlanta Silverbacks Women GA (2005–2015)
• Austin Lady Lone Stars TX (1999–2000)
• Bay Area Breeze CA (2013–2014)
• Braddock Road Stars Elite VA (2014–2015)
• 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)
• Carolina Elite Cobras SC (2012-2015)
• 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)
• Charlotte Lady Eagles NC (2000-2015)
• 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)
• Colorado Pride CO (2014–2015)
• Colorado Rush Women CO (2010–2015)
• Colorado Storm CO (2014–2015)
• 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)
• Dayton Dutch Lions WFC OH (2011-2015)
• 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 TornadoesTX (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 Comets QC (2006–2015)
• Laval Dynamites QC (1997–2001)
• Lehigh Valley Cougars PA (1996)
• London Gryphons ON (2004-2014)
• Long Island Rough Riders NY (1995-2015)
• 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)
• New Jersey Wildcats NJ (1996-2015)
• New York Magic NY (1998-2015)
• Norcal Shockwaves CA (1996–1997)
• North Texas Heat TX (1999–2000)
• Northern Kentucky TC Stars KY (2002–2003)
• Northern Virginia Majestics VA (1999-2012)
• North Jersey Valkyries NJ (2010-2015)
• 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)
• Quebec Dynamo ARSQ QC (2009–2015, Quebec City Amiral SC 2009–2013)
• 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)
• Santa Clarita Blue Heat CA (2010-2015)
• Seattle Sounders Women WA (2002–2015)
• 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)
• Washington Spirit Reserves DC (2013-2015)
• 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. Click on year for W-League season summaries.

• 2015 Washington Spirit Reserves 2-1 Colorado Pride
• 2014 Los Angeles Blues (4) 6-1 Washington Spirit Reserves
• 2013 Pali Blues (3) 1-0 Laval Comets
• 2012 Ottawa Fury Women 1-1 (4-3 PSO) Pali Blues
• 2011 Atlanta Silverbacks Women 6-1 Ottawa Fury Women
• 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