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| Countries |  United States Canada |
|---|---|
| Confederation | US Soccer |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Divisions | 5 |
| Number of teams | 37 |
| Promotion to | None |
| Relegation to | None |
| Levels on pyramid | Level 2 |
| Current champions | Pali Blues (2009) |
| 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 2009 |
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The USL W-League is currently the second highest level of professional women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid.
The W-League and is recognized as North America’s main women’s developmental organization.[who?] 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 First Division, USL Second Division and USL Premier Development League.
Contents |
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, and remains as such.
2010 Teams
Eastern Conference
Northeast Division
- Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues
NY (2009-, Jersey Sky Blue 2007-08) - Long Island Rough Riders NY (1995-)
- New Jersey Rangers (2010-)
- New Jersey Wildcats
NJ (1996-) - New York Magic NY (1997-)
- North Jersey Valkyries NJ (2010-)
- Washington Freedom Futures
DC (2010-, Washington Freedom Reserves 2009, Washington Freedom 2008)
Atlantic Division
- Atlanta Silverbacks Women
GA (2005-) - Charlotte Lady Eagles
NC (2000-) - Hampton Roads Piranhas
VA (1995-) - Northern Virginia Majestics VA (1999-)
- Tampa Bay Hellenic
FL (2008-)
Central Conference
Midwest Division
- Buffalo Flash NY (2009-)
- Chicago Red Eleven
IL (2009-, Chicago Gaels 2005-08, Chicago Cobras 1996-2004) - Cleveland Internationals Women
OH (2004-) - Kalamazoo Outrage
MI (2008-) - West Michigan Firewomen MI (2004-)
Great Lakes Division
- Hamilton Avalanche
ON (2006-) - Laval Comets
QC (2006-) - Ottawa Fury Women ON (2000-)
- Quebec City Amiral SC QC (2009-)
- Rochester Ravens NY (2009-, Rochester Rhinos Women 2004-08, Rochester Ravens 1996-2003)
- Toronto Lady Lynx ON (2005-)
Western Conference
- Colorado Force
CO (2009-, Fort Collins Force 1997-2008) - Colorado Rush CO (2010-)
- Pali Blues
CA (2008-) - Santa Clarita Blue Heat CA (2010, Ventura County Fusion 2008-09)
- Seattle Sounders Women
WA (2001-) - Vancouver Whitecaps Women
BC (2001-)
Former Members
- Alabama Angels
AL (1996-98) - Albuquerque Crush
NM (2002) - Arizona Heatwave
AZ (1995, 2001-05) - Asheville Splash NC (2002-04)
- Atlanta Classics GA (1997-2000)
- Austin Lady Lone Stars
TX (1999-2000) - Bradenton Athletics FL (2004-08)
- Boston Renegades
MA (1996-2009, Boston Tornado 1995) - Buffalo Fillies NY (1996-98)
- Calgary Wildfire
AB (2004) - California Storm CA (1997, Sacramento Storm 1995-96)
- Carolina Dynamo NC (2004-06, 2008, Greensboro Twisters 2002-03, Piedmont Spark 1999-2001)
- Cary Lady Clarets NC (2009, Carolina RailHawks Women 2008)
- Central Jersey Splash NJ (1997-99)
- Central Florida Krush FL (2005-06)
- Charlotte Speed NC (1998-99, Carolina Speed 1997)
- Cincinnati Ladyhawks OH (2000-06)
- Cincinnati Leopards OH (1995)
- Cleveland Eclipse OH (1996-01)
- Cocoa Expos Women FL (2006-07)
- Columbus Lady Shooting Stars OH (2003-04)
- Columbus Ziggx OH (1995-98)
- Connecticut Lady Wolves
CT (1995-98) - Connecticut Passion CT (2008-09)
- Dallas Lightning TX (1996-97, Texas Lightning 1995)
- Delaware Genies
DE (1997-2000) - Denver Diamonds CO (1996-2000)
- Edmonton Aviators Women AB (2004)
- FC Indiana
IN (2008-09) - Finger Lakes Heartbreakers NY (1998)
- Fort Wayne Fever IN (2004-09)
- Fredericksburg Lady Gunners VA (2007-08)
- Gulf Coast Chaos
MS (1997) - Houston Tornadoes TX (1999-2001)
- Indiana Blaze IN (1997-01)
- Jackson Chargers MS (1998-99, Jackson Calypso 1997)
- Jacksonville Jade FL (1999-2002)
- Kalamazoo Quest MI (1998-99)
- Kansas City Mystics
MO (2001-02) - Kentucky Fillies
KY (2000-02) - Laval Dynamites QC (1997-01)
- Lehigh Valley Cougars
PA (1996) - London Gryphons ON (2004-09)
- Los Angeles Legends CA (2008-09)
- Madison Freeze
WI (1996-97) - Maryland Pride
MD (1996-02, Baltimore Bays 1995) - Mass Bay Crusaders MA (1995)
- Memphis Mercury
TN (2001-02) - Miami Gliders FL (1998-99)
- Michigan Hawks MI (2006-08, Detroit Jaguars 2004-05)
- Mile High Edge CO (2005-07, 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 (1998-2003)
- Norcal Shockwaves CA (1996-97)
- North Texas Heat TX (1999-2000)
- Northern Kentucky TC Stars KY (2002-03)
- Oklahoma Outrage
OK (2000-02) - Orlando Ladyhawks FL (1998)
- Philadelphia Frenzy PA (1996-97, Pennsylvania Freedom 1995)
- Portland Rain
OR (2001) - Raleigh Wings NC (1998-2000)
- Real Colorado Cougars CO (2005-09, Denver Lady Cougars 2001-04, Colorado Gold 2000)
- Rhode Island Lady Stingrays
RI (1996, 2004, Rhode Island Rays 1997-02, Rhode Island Stingrays 2005) - Richmond Kickers Destiny VA (2004-09)
- Rockford Dactyls IL (1995-2000)
- San Diego Sunwaves CA (2007, San Diego Gauchos Women 2005-06)
- San Diego Top Guns CA (1995)
- San Francisco Night Hawks CA (1996-97, San Francisco Vikings 1995)
- Silicon Valley Red Devils CA (1996-97)
- South Jersey Banshees NJ (2001-06)
- Southern California Nitemares CA (1995-96)
- Springfield Sirens MA (1999-01)
- St. Louis Archers MO (2004)
- Sudbury Canadians ON (2004-06)
- Tampa Bay Xtreme FL (1997-02)
- Texas Odyssey TX (2001)
- Toronto Inferno ON (1999-2004)
- Tulsa Roughnecks OK (1995)
- Vermont Lady Voltage
VT (2005-08) - Western Mass Lady Pioneers MA (2004-09)
- West Virginia Illusion
WV (2008) - Wichita Lady Blues
KS (1995) - Windy City Bluez IL (2001-04)
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
- 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
External links
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