This article is about the former league that existed from 1995 to 2015. For the league starting in 2022, see USL W League.
The USL W-League was a North American amateurwomen's soccer developmental organization. The league was a semi-professional,[1][2] 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.[3][4]
After the popularity of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, though, USL began considerations for a new professional women's league; this effort eventually returned to the re-establishing of the league as the USL W League.
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.
The W-League grew to a maximum of 41 teams for the 2008 season, but then began contracting rapidly. By the time the league suspended operations in 2015, there were three, six-team conferences.[5] Of those 18 teams, eight went on to found United Women's Soccer[6] (though the two Canadian teams were denied entry) and another seven joined the WPSL.[7][8]
The revival of the W-League as the USL W League was announced on June 8, 2021,[9] with eight founding teams due to begin play in 2022,[10] none of which were revivals of teams from the original iteration of the W-League. Instead, many were associate with USL League One organizations.
Teamsedit
127 unique teams participated in the W-League over the course of its history. Fifteen still existed (at varying levels of activity) as of 2019.
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.
^"not found". allwhitekit.com. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
^Kassouf, Jeff (November 6, 2015). "USL W-League, once top flight, folds after 21 seasons". The Equalizer. from the original on March 14, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2020. From its formation in 1995 until the start of the Women's United Soccer Association — the first U.S. professional league — in 2001, the USL W-League was the top flight of soccer in the United States. It returned to that status upon the folding of the WUSA following the 2003 season, and remained the top flight — all as a semi-professional league — until Women's Professional Soccer began in 2009.
^. Archived from the original on November 19, 2015.
^"Equalizer Soccer – USL W-League, once top flight, folds after 21 seasons". November 6, 2015.
^. Archived from the original on September 8, 2015.
^"UWS To Form National Pro-Am Women's Soccer League In 2016". United Women's Soccer. December 16, 2015.
^"WOMEN'S PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE – THE LARGEST NATIONAL WOMEN'S SOCCER LEAGUE IN THE WORLD".
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This article is about the former league that existed from 1995 to 2015 For the league starting in 2022 see USL W League The USL W League was a North American amateur women s soccer developmental organization The league was a semi professional 1 2 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 3 4 USL W LeagueFounded1995Folded2015CountryUnited StatesCanadaConfederationCONCACAFNumber of teams8Level on pyramid2Promotion toNoneRelegation toNoneLast championsWashington Spirit ReservesMost championshipsLos Angeles Blues 4 titles After the popularity of the 2019 FIFA Women s World Cup though USL began considerations for a new professional women s league this effort eventually returned to the re establishing of the league as the USL W League Contents 1 History 2 Teams 3 Past champions 4 ReferencesHistory editThe 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 The W League grew to a maximum of 41 teams for the 2008 season but then began contracting rapidly By the time the league suspended operations in 2015 there were three six team conferences 5 Of those 18 teams eight went on to found United Women s Soccer 6 though the two Canadian teams were denied entry and another seven joined the WPSL 7 8 The revival of the W League as the USL W League was announced on June 8 2021 9 with eight founding teams due to begin play in 2022 10 none of which were revivals of teams from the original iteration of the W League Instead many were associate with USL League One organizations Teams edit127 unique teams participated in the W League over the course of its history Fifteen still existed at varying levels of activity as of 2019 Sortable full original team listName State Prov First year Last year Other names NotesAlabama Angels nbsp AL 1996 1998Albuquerque Crush nbsp NM 2002Arizona Heatwave nbsp AZ 1995 2005 founding team inactive 1996 2000Arizona Strikers FC nbsp AZ 2014 2015 Sedona FC Strikers 2014 final teamAsheville Splash nbsp NC 2002 2004Atlanta Classics nbsp GA 1997 2000Atlanta Silverbacks Women nbsp GA 2005 2015 final team left to Women s Premier Soccer LeagueAustin Lady Lone Stars nbsp TX 1999 2000Bay Area Breeze nbsp CA 2013 2014 arrived from Women s Premier Soccer LeagueBraddock Road Stars Elite nbsp VA 2014 2015 final team left to Women s Premier Soccer LeagueBradenton Athletics nbsp FL 2004 2008Boston Renegades nbsp MA 1995 2009 Boston Tornado 1995 founding teamBuffalo FFillies nbsp NY 1996 1998Buffalo Flash nbsp NY 2009 2010 left to Women s Professional SoccerCalgary Wildfire nbsp AB 2004Carolina Elite Cobras nbsp SC 2012 2015 Central SC Cobras 2012 final team left to Women s Premier Soccer LeagueCary Lady Clarets nbsp NC 2008 2009 Carolina RailHawks Women 2008 Central Jersey Splash nbsp NJ 1997 1999Central Florida Krush nbsp FL 2005 2006Charlotte Speed nbsp NC 1997 1999 Carolina Speed 1997 Charlotte Lady Eagles nbsp NC 2000 2015 final teamChicago Cobras nbsp IL 1996 2010 Chicago Gaels 2005 2008 Chicago Red Eleven 2009 2010 Cincinnati Ladyhawks nbsp OH 2000 2006Cincinnati Leopards nbsp OH 1995 founding teamCleveland Eclipse nbsp OH 1996 2001Cleveland Internationals Women nbsp OH 2004 2010 left to Women s League SoccerCocoa Expos Women nbsp FL 2006 2007 left to Women s Premier Soccer LeagueColorado Pride nbsp CO 2014 2015 final team left to United Women s SoccerColorado Rush Women nbsp CO 2010 2015 final teamColorado Storm nbsp CO 2014 2015 final team left to United Women s SoccerColumbus Lady Shooting Stars nbsp OH 2003 2004Columbus Ziggx nbsp OH 1995 1998 founding teamConnecticut Lady Wolves nbsp CT 1995 1998 founding teamConnecticut Passion nbsp CT 2008 2009Dallas Lightning nbsp TX 1995 1997 Texas Lightning 1995 founding teamDayton Dutch Lions WFC nbsp OH 2011 2015 final team left to Women s Premier Soccer LeagueD C United Women nbsp DC 2011 2012 left to National Women s Soccer League spun off Washington Spirit ReservesDelaware Genies nbsp DE 1997 2000Denver Diamonds nbsp CO 1996 2000 left to Women s Premier Soccer LeagueEdmonton Aviators Women nbsp AB 2004FC Indiana nbsp IN 2008 2009 arrived from Women s Premier Soccer League left to Women s League SoccerFinger Lakes Heartbreakers nbsp NY 1998Fort Wayne Fever nbsp IN 2004 2009Fredericksburg Impact nbsp VA 2011 2013Fredericksburg Lady Gunners nbsp VA 2007 2008Gulf Coast Chaos nbsp MS 1997Gulf Coast Texans nbsp FL 2014 arrived from Women s Premier Soccer LeagueHamilton Avalanche nbsp ON 2006 2014 Hamilton FC Rage 2011 2012 K W United FC 2013 2014 Hampton Road Piranhas nbsp VA 1995 2013 Virginia Beach Piranhas 2011 2013 founding teamHouston Tornadoes nbsp TX 1999 2001Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues nbsp NY 2007 2010 Jersey Sky Blue 2007 2008 Indiana Blaze nbsp IN 1997 2001Jackson Chargers nbsp MS 1997 1999 Jackson Calypso 1997 1998 Jacksonville Jade nbsp FL 1999 2002Kalamazoo Quest nbsp MI 1998 1999Kalamazoo Outrage nbsp MI 2008 2010Kansas City Mystics nbsp KS 2001 2002Kentucky Fillies nbsp KY 2000 2002Laval Comets nbsp QC 2006 2015 final team left to United Women s SoccerLaval Dynamites nbsp QC 1999 2001Lehigh Valley Cougars nbsp PA 1996London Gryphons nbsp ON 2004 2014Long Island Rough Riders nbsp NY 1995 2015 founding team final team left to United Women s SoccerLos Angeles Legends nbsp CA 2008 2009Los Angeles Strikers nbsp CA 2011 2013 merged with Pali Blues 2014 Madison Freeze nbsp WI 1996 1997Maryland Pride nbsp MD 1995 2002 Baltimore Bays 1995 founding team left to Women s Premier Soccer LeagueMass Bay Crusaders nbsp MA 1995 founding teamMemphis Mercury nbsp TN 2001 2002Miami Gliders nbsp FL 1998 1999Michigan Hawks nbsp MI 2004 2008 Detroit Jaguars 2004 2005 Mile High Mustangs nbsp CO 2001 2007 Mile High Edge 2001 2004 Minnesota Lightning nbsp MN 2006 2009Montreal Xtreme nbsp QC 2004New Brunswick Power nbsp NJ 2000New Hampshire Lady Phantoms nbsp NH 1998 2006New Jersey Lady Stallions nbsp NJ 1998 2004New Jersey Rangers nbsp NJ 2008 2012New Jersey Wildcats nbsp NJ 1996 2015 final team left to Women s Premier Soccer LeagueNew York Magic nbsp NY 1997 2015 final team left to United Women s SoccerNorcal Shockwaves nbsp CA 1996 1997 left to Women s Premier Soccer LeagueNorth Texas Heat nbsp TX 1999 2000Northern Kentucky TC Stars nbsp KY 2002 2003Northern Virginia Majestics nbsp VA 1999 2012North Jersey Valkyries nbsp NJ 2010 2015 final team left to United Women s SoccerOklahoma Outrage nbsp OK 2000 2002Orlando Ladyhawks nbsp FL 1998Ottawa Fury FC nbsp ON 2000 2014Piedmont Spark nbsp NC 1999 2008 Greensboro Twisters 2002 2003 Carolina Dynamo 2004 2006 2008 inactive 2007Pali Blues nbsp CA 2008 2014 Los Angeles Blues 2014 merged with Los Angeles Strikers 2014 Philadelphia Frenzy nbsp PA 1995 1997 Pennsylvania Freedom 1995 founding teamPortland Rain nbsp OR 2001 left to Women s Premier Soccer LeagueQuebec City Amiral SC nbsp QC 2009 2015 Quebec Dynamo ARSQ 2014 2015 final team left to United Women s SoccerRaleigh Wings nbsp NC 1998 2000Real Colorado Cougars nbsp CO 2000 2010 Colorado Gold 2000 Denver Lady Cougars 2001 2005 11 Rhode Island Rays nbsp RI 1995 2004 Rhode Island Lady Stingrays 1996 2004 Rhode Island Stingrays 1995 founding team left to Women s Premier Soccer LeagueRichmond Kickers Destiny nbsp VA 2004 2009Rochester Ravens nbsp NY 1996 2012Rockford Dactyls nbsp IL 1995 2000 founding teamSacramento Storm nbsp CA 1995 1997 California Storm 1997 founding team left to Women s Premier Soccer LeagueSan Diego Gauchos Women nbsp CA 2005 2007 San Diego Sunwaves 2007 San Diego Top Guns nbsp CA 1995 founding teamSan Francisco Nighthawks nbsp CA 1995 1997 San Francisco Vikings 1995 founding team left to Women s Premier Soccer LeagueSanta Clarita Blue Heat nbsp CA 2008 2015 Ventura County Fusion 2008 2009 final team left to United Women s SoccerSeattle Sounders Women nbsp WA 2001 2015 final team left to Women s Premier Soccer LeagueSilicon Valley Red Devils nbsp CA 1996 1997 left to Women s Premier Soccer LeagueSouth Jersey Banshees nbsp NJ 2001 2006Southern California Nitemares nbsp CA 1995 1996 founding teamSpringfield Sirens nbsp MA 1999 2001 left to Women s Premier Soccer LeagueSt Louis Archers nbsp MO 2004 left to Women s Premier Soccer LeagueSudbury Canadians nbsp ON 2004 2006Tampa Bay Hellenic nbsp FL 2008 2010 left to Women s Premier Soccer League merged with VSI Tampa Bay FC 2013 Tampa Bay Xtreme nbsp FL 1997 2002Texas Odyssey nbsp TX 2001Toronto Inferno nbsp ON 1999 2004Toronto Lady Lynx nbsp ON 2005 2014Tulsa Roughnecks nbsp OK 1995 founding teamVancouver Whitecaps Women nbsp BC 2001 2012 Vancouver Breakers 2001 2002 Vermont Lady Voltage nbsp VT 2005 2008Victoria Highlanders Women nbsp BC 2011 2012VSI Tampa Bay FC nbsp FL 2012 2013 VSI Tampa Flames 2012 merged with Tampa Bay Hellenic 2013 Washington Freedom nbsp DC 2006 2008 left to Women s Professional Soccer spun off Washington Freedom FuturesWashington Freedom Futures nbsp DC 2009 2010 Washington Freedom Reserves 2009 Washington Spirit Reserves nbsp DC 2013 2015 final team left to Women s Premier Soccer LeagueWestern Mass Lady Pioneers nbsp MA 2004 2009West Virginia Illusion nbsp WV 2008Wichita Lady Blues nbsp KS 1995 founding teamWindy City Bluez nbsp IL 2001 2004 12 W League member alt name merger WUSA WPS NWSL WPSL WLS UWS inactive exhibition other indicates championshipPast champions editFor 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 Heat 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 NitemaresReferences edit not found allwhitekit com Retrieved April 1 2024 Kassouf Jeff November 6 2015 USL W League once top flight folds after 21 seasons The Equalizer Archived from the original on March 14 2020 Retrieved July 21 2020 From its formation in 1995 until the start of the Women s United Soccer Association the first U S professional league in 2001 the USL W League was the top flight of soccer in the United States It returned to that status upon the folding of the WUSA following the 2003 season and remained the top flight all as a semi professional league until Women s Professional Soccer began in 2009 W League Archived from the original on November 19 2015 Equalizer Soccer USL W League once top flight folds after 21 seasons November 6 2015 United Soccer Leagues USL Archived from the original on September 8 2015 UWS To Form National Pro Am Women s Soccer League In 2016 United Women s Soccer December 16 2015 WOMEN S PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE THE LARGEST NATIONAL WOMEN S SOCCER LEAGUE IN THE WORLD NEW TEAMS NEW CITIES NEW STATES United Soccer League to Launch W League in 2022 USL W League Unveils Eight Inaugural Member Clubs Rizakis Kris February 25 2010 THE GRAND LIST A G RSSSF Retrieved June 7 2023 Spectrum homepages sover net Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title USL W League 1995 2015 amp oldid 1216711424, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
