W-League

USL W-League

Country	United States Canada
Confederation	CONCACAF
Founded	1995
Divisions	4
Number of teams	25
Levels on pyramid	2
Promotion to	None
Relegation to	None
Current champions	Ottawa Fury Women
Most championships	Boston Renegades Long Island Lady Riders Pali Blues Raleigh Wings Vancouver Whitecaps Women (2 titles each)
TV partners	Fox Soccer Channel
Website	Official site in English
W-League 2013

The USL W-League is a North American 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 [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.

2013 Teams [edit]

Team	Country	City/Area	Stadium	Founded	Head Coach
Northeastern Conference
Fredericksburg Impact	USA	Fredericksburg, Virginia	Fredericksburg Field House	2011	Rich Stoneman
Long Island Rough Riders	USA	South Huntington, New York	Cy Donnelly Stadium	1995	Steve Cadet
New Jersey Wildcats	USA	West Windsor, New Jersey	Mercer County Community College Stadium	1996	Kevin McDermott
New York Magic-FA Euro	USA	Brooklyn, New York	Old Boys High School Field	1997	Nino DePasquale
North Jersey Valkyries	USA	Wayne, New Jersey	DePaul Catholic High School	2009	TBA
Virginia Beach Piranhas	USA	Virginia Beach, Virginia	Virginia Beach Sportsplex	1995	Wendy Kotwas Waddell
Washington Spirit Reserves	USA	Washington, D.C.	Maryland SoccerPlex	2013	Mark Parsons
Southeastern Conference
Atlanta Silverbacks Women	USA	Chamblee, Georgia	Atlanta Silverbacks Park	1998	Chris Adams
Carolina Elite Cobras	USA	Greenville, South Carolina	MESA Soccer Complex	2000	Sandy Burris
Charlotte Lady Eagles	USA	Charlotte, North Carolina	Dickson Field	2012	Lee Horton
Dayton Dutch Lions WFC	USA	Dayton, Ohio	Beavercreek Stadium	2011	Sid van Druenen
VSI Tampa Bay FC	USA	Tampa, Florida	Plant City Stadium	2011	George Fotopoulos
Central Conference
K-W United FC	CAN	Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario	University Stadium (Waterloo, Ontario)	2006	Ruben Flores
Laval Comets	CAN	Laval, Quebec	Centre Sportif Bois-de-Boulogne	2006	Cindy Walsh
London Gryphons	CAN	London, Ontario	North London Stadium	2004	Abe Hadzic
Ottawa Fury Women	CAN	Ottawa, Ontario	Algonquin College Soccer Complex	2003	Dominic Oliveri
Quebec City Amiral SC	CAN	Quebec City, Quebec	Collège François-Xavier-Garneau	2008	Samir Ghrib
Toronto Lady Lynx	CAN	Toronto, Ontario	Centennial Park Stadium	2005	Danny Stewart
Western Conference
Bay Area Breeze	USA	San Francisco, California	Kezar Stadium [2]	2011	Vicki Linton
Colorado Rapids Women	USA	Denver, Colorado	Dick's Sporting Goods Park	1996	Daniel Clitnovici
Colorado Rush Women	USA	Arvada, Colorado	North Area Athletic Complex	2010	Erik Bushey
Los Angeles Strikers	USA	Los Angeles, California	Jack Kemp Stadium	2011	Tracey Kevins
Pali Blues	USA	Los Angeles, California	Stadium-by-the-Sea	2008	Charlie Naimo
Santa Clarita Blue Heat	USA	Santa Clarita, California	Valencia High School	2008	Anthony Rodwell
Seattle Sounders Women	USA	Tukwila, Washington	Starfire Sports Complex	2001	Hubert Busby

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)
• 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)
• 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 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)
• 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)
• 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)
• Vancouver Whitecaps Women  BC (2003-2012)
• Vermont Lady Voltage  VT (2005–2008)
• Victoria Highlanders Women  BC (2011-2012)
• 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.

• 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

References [edit]

External links [edit]

• W-League website