2023 USL W League season#Awards
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox football league season
| image =
| competition = USL W League
| season = 2023
| dates = May 6 - July 2
(regular season)
July 6 - July 22
(playoffs)
| winners = Indy Eleven
| shieldtitle = Regular Season title
| shield = Minnesota Aurora FC
| continentalcup1 =
| continentalcup1 qualifiers =
| continentalcup2 =
| continentalcup2 qualifiers =
| matches = 375
| total goals = 1464
| biggest home win = IND 16, STC 0 (June 30)
| biggest away win = PFA 0, CHR 9 (May 21)
| highest scoring = IND 16, STC 0 (June 30)
| longest wins = 12 games
Minnesota Aurora FC
Tampa Bay United
| longest unbeaten = 12 games
Minnesota Aurora FC
{{nowrap|North Carolina Courage U23}}
Flint City AFC
Tampa Bay United
| longest winless = 11 games
Patuxent Football Athletics
| longest losses = 11 games
Patuxent Football Athletics
| prevseason = 2022
| nextseason = 2024
| updated = July 2, 2023
}}
The 2023 USL W League season is the 2nd season for the league. The regular season began on May 6 and ended on July 2.{{cite web |title=W League unveils full 2023 season schedule |url=https://www.uslwleague.com/news_article/show/1261080 |access-date=February 21, 2023 |publisher=USL W League|website=uslwleague.com |date=February 21, 2023}}{{cite web |title=USL W League announces 2023 Divisional Alignment |url=https://www.uslwleague.com/news_article/show/1259591 |access-date=February 24, 2023 |publisher=USL W League|website=uslwleague.com |date=February 14, 2023}} 16 teams qualified for the league playoffs, which began on July 6.{{cite web |title=W League announces expanded playoff structure for the 2023 season |url=https://www.uslwleague.com/news_article/show/1269245 |access-date=April 17, 2023 |publisher=USL W League|website=uslwleague.com |date=April 17, 2023}}
Team changes
=New teams=
{{columns-start|num=3}}
- Academica SC (Turlock, CA){{cite web|url=https://www.uslwleague.com/news_article/show/1249601 |title=USL W League unveils NorCal Division; includes six new expansion clubs to compete in 2023 season |website=USL W League |access-date=December 1, 2022}}{{cite web|url=http://www.academicasc.com/ac-joins-usl/ |title=Academica SC Joins USL |publisher=Academica Soccer Club |date=December 1, 2022 |access-date=December 1, 2022}}
- Bavarian United SC (Milwaukee, WI){{cite web|url=https://www.uslwleague.com/news_article/show/1258975|title=Bavarian United SC set to join USL League Two and USL W League|publisher=USL Communications staff|date=February 7, 2023|access-date=February 7, 2023}}
- Birmingham Legion WFC{{cite web|url=https://www.uslwleague.com/news_article/show/1259369|title=Birmingham Legion announced as latest expansion side to compete in 2023 season|publisher=USL Communications staff|date=February 9, 2023|access-date=February 9, 2023}}
- California Storm (Sacramento, CA){{cite web|url=https://www.calstormsoccer.com/storm-blog/2022/11/30/california-storm-announces-usl-w-expansion-team |title=California Storm Announces USL W League Expansion Team |publisher=California Storm |date=December 1, 2022 |access-date=December 1, 2022}}
- Capital FC Atletica (Salem, OR){{cite web|url=https://www.uslwleague.com/news_article/show/1241359 |title=USL W League solidifies westward expansion with creation of Northwest Division |website=USL W League |access-date=September 30, 2022}}
- Cleveland Force SC{{cite web|url=https://www.uslwleague.com/news_article/show/1243079|title=Cleveland Force SC joins USL W League for the 2023 season|publisher=USL Communications staff|date=October 13, 2022|access-date=October 13, 2022}}
- FC Carolinas (Waxhaws, NC){{cite web|url=https://www.uslwleague.com/news_article/show/1228727|title=FC Carolinas joins USL W League and USL League Two as expansion side for 2023|publisher=USL Communications staff|date=June 9, 2022|access-date=August 5, 2022}}
- Lane United FC (Eugene, OR)
- Lexington SC{{cite web|url=https://www.uslwleague.com/news_article/show/1245241 |title=USL W League welcomes Lexington Sporting Club as expansion side for 2023 |publisher=USLWLeague.com Staff |date=October 27, 2022 |access-date=October 27, 2022}}
- Marin FC Siren (Greenbrae, CA)
- North Alabama SC (Huntsville, AL){{cite web|url=https://www.uslwleague.com/news_article/show/1250587|title=North Alabama SC joins USL W League and USL League Two as expansion side for 2023|publisher=USL Communications staff|date=December 8, 2022|access-date=December 8, 2022}}
- Oakland Soul SC{{cite news |last1= USLWLeague.com Staff |title=USL W League Welcomes Oakland Soul as 2023 Expansion Team |url=https://www.uslwleague.com/news_article/show/1226784 |access-date=24 May 2022 |work=USWLeague.com |publisher=USWLeague.com |date=24 May 2022}}
- Olympic Club SC (San Francisco, CA)
{{column}}
- Oly Town FC (Olympia, WA)
- Paisley Athletic FC (Kearny, NJ){{cite web|url=https://www.uslwleague.com/news_article/show/1254700|title=USL W League welcomes Paisley Athletic FC as expansion side for 2023|publisher=USL Communications staff|date=January 11, 2023|access-date=January 11, 2023}}
- Palm City Americanas (Palm City, FL){{cite web|url=https://www.uslwleague.com/news_article/show/1252433|title=USL W League welcomes Palm City Americanas as expansion side for 2023|publisher=USL Communications staff|date=December 22, 2022|access-date=December 22, 2022}}
- PDX FC (Portland, OR){{cite web|url=https://www.uslwleague.com/news_article/show/1259921|title=PDX FC announced as final expansion side for the 2023 W League season|publisher=USL Communications staff|date=February 13, 2023|access-date=February 13, 2023}}
- Pleasanton RAGE (Pleasanton, CA)
- RKC Third Coast (Racine & Kenosha, WI){{cite web|url=https://www.uslwleague.com/news_article/show/1259177|title=RKC Soccer Club to join USL League Two and USL W League|publisher=USL Communications staff|date=February 8, 2023|access-date=February 8, 2023}}
- Rochester FC (Rochester, MN){{cite web|url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/news_article/show/1234181|title=Rochester FC joins W League and USL League Two as expansion side|publisher=USL Communications staff|date=July 29, 2022|access-date=August 1, 2022}}
- St. Charles FC (St. Charles, MO){{cite news |last1= USLWLeague.com Staff |title=St. Charles FC joining USL League Two and W League |url=https://www.uslwleague.com/news_article/show/1229234 |access-date=14 June 2022 |work=USWLeague.com |publisher=USWLeague.com |date=14 June 2022}}
- San Francisco Glens{{cite web|title=SF Glens To Join USL W League For 2023 Season |url=https://www.sfglens.com/news_article/show/1249646 |work=SFGlens.com |publisher=San Francisco Glens |date=December 1, 2022 |access-date=December 1, 2022}}
- Stockton Cargo SC (Stockton, CA){{cite news |last1=Belt |first1=Shannon Mia |title=A league of their own: SC Stockton becomes first West Coast team in United Soccer’s Women’s League |url=https://news.yahoo.com/league-own-sc-stockton-becomes-214610755.html |access-date=May 19, 2022 |work=news.yahoo.com |publisher=Yahoo.com |date=April 25, 2022}}{{cite news |title=USL W League 2023 Expansion Side Stockton Cargo Soccer Club unveil identity and crest |url=https://www.uslwleague.com/news_article/show/1235432 |publisher=USLWLeague.com Staff |access-date=August 12, 2022 |date=August 12, 2022}}
- Swan City SC (Lakeland, FL){{cite web|url=https://www.uslwleague.com/news_article/show/1258966|title=Swan City SC joining USL League Two and W League in 2023|publisher=USL Communications staff|date=February 7, 2023|access-date=February 7, 2023}}
- United PDX (Portland, OR){{cite web|url=https://www.uslwleague.com/news_article/show/1251538 |title=United PDX to join League Two and W League in 2023 |publisher=USL W League |date=December 14, 2022 |access-date=December 15, 2022}}
- Virginia Marauders FC (Winchester, VA){{cite web|url=https://www.uslwleague.com/news_article/show/1255568|title=Virginia Marauders FC joining USL League Two and W League in 2023|publisher=USL Communications staff|date=January 17, 2023|access-date=January 17, 2023}}
{{column}}
=Departing teams=
- Caledonia SC
- Kaw Valley FC
- Peachtree City MOBA
- Queensboro FC
- St. Louis Lions
{{columns-end}}
Standings
=Eastern Conference=
==Metropolitan Division==
{{2023 USL W League group tables|Metropolitan Division|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}
==Mid Atlantic Division==
{{2023 USL W League group tables|Mid Atlantic Division|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}
=Central Conference=
==Great Lakes Division==
{{2023 USL W League group tables|Great Lakes Division|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}
==Heartland Division==
{{2023 USL W League group tables|Heartland Division|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}
==Valley Division==
{{2023 USL W League group tables|Valley Division|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}
=Southern Conference=
==South Atlantic Division==
{{2023 USL W League group tables|South Atlantic Division|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}
==South Central Division==
{{2023 USL W League group tables|South Central Division|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}
==Southeast Division==
{{2023 USL W League group tables|Southeast Division|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}
=Western Conference=
==Northwest Division==
{{2023 USL W League group tables|Northwest Division|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}
==Nor Cal Division==
{{2023 USL W League group tables|Nor Cal Division|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}
Playoffs
=Bracket=
{{16TeamBracket
| nowrap = yes
| seeds = no
| byes = 0
| boldwinner = high
| RD1 = Conference Semifinals
| RD2 = Conference Finals
| RD3 = Semifinals
| RD4 = Final
| team-width = 175
| subgroup1= Eastern Conference
| subgroup2= Southern Conference
| subgroup3= Central Conference
| subgroup4= Western Conference
| RD1-seed01 =
| RD1-team01 = Long Island Rough Riders
| RD1-score01= 2
| RD1-seed02 =
| RD1-team02 = Morris Elite SC
| RD1-score02= 3
| RD1-seed03 =
| RD1-team03 = Eagle FC
| RD1-score03= 2
| RD1-seed04 =
| RD1-team04 = Christos FC
| RD1-score04= 1
| RD1-seed05 =
| RD1-team05 = Tampa Bay United
| RD1-score05= 3
| RD1-seed06 =
| RD1-team06 = Tennessee SC
| RD1-score06= 2
| RD1-seed07 =
| RD1-team07 = North Carolina Courage U23
| RD1-score07= 3
| RD1-seed08 =
| RD1-team08 = FC Miami City
| RD1-score08= 0
| RD1-seed09 =
| RD1-team09 = Minnesota Aurora FC
| RD1-score09= 1
| RD1-seed10 =
| RD1-team10 = Chicago City SC
| RD1-score10= 0
| RD1-seed11 =
| RD1-team11 = Flint City AFC
| RD1-score11= 0
| RD1-seed12 =
| RD1-team12 = Indy Eleven
| RD1-score12= 3
| RD1-seed13 =
| RD1-team13 = San Francisco Glens SC
| RD1-score13= 5
| RD1-seed14 =
| RD1-team14 = Oakland Soul SC
| RD1-score14= 1
| RD1-seed15 =
| RD1-team15 = California Storm
| RD1-score15= 1
| RD1-seed16 =
| RD1-team16 = Oly Town FC
| RD1-score16= 0
| RD2-seed01 =
| RD2-team01 = Morris Elite SC
| RD2-score01= 0
| RD2-seed02 =
| RD2-team02 = Eagle FC
| RD2-score02= 6
| RD2-seed03 =
| RD2-team03 = Tampa Bay United
| RD2-score03= 0
| RD2-seed04 =
| RD2-team04 = North Carolina Courage U23
| RD2-score04= 3
| RD2-seed05 =
| RD2-team05 = Minnesota Aurora FC
| RD2-score05= 0
| RD2-seed06 =
| RD2-team06 = Indy Eleven
| RD2-score06= 1
| RD2-seed07 =
| RD2-team07 = San Francisco Glens SC
| RD2-score07= 2
| RD2-seed08 =
| RD2-team08 = California Storm
| RD2-score08= 1
| RD3-seed01 =
| RD3-team01 = Eagle FC
| RD3-score01= 1
| RD3-seed02 =
| RD3-team02 = North Carolina Courage U23
| RD3-score02= 4
| RD3-seed03 =
| RD3-team03 = Indy Eleven
| RD3-score03= 3
| RD3-seed04 =
| RD3-team04 = San Francisco Glens SC
| RD3-score04= 2
| RD4-seed01 =
| RD4-team01 = North Carolina Courage U23
| RD4-score01= 1
| RD4-seed02 =
| RD4-team02 = Indy Eleven {{aet}}
| RD4-score02= 2
}}
=Conference semifinals=
{{football box collapsible
|date = July 6
|time = 3:00 PM EDT
|team1 = Minnesota Aurora FC
|score = 1–0
|report = https://www.modular11.com/match_details/34509/2
|team2 = Chicago City SC
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
- Jamie {{sent off|2|76|78}}
|stadium = Atwood Stadium
Flint, Michigan
|attendance =
|referee = Taylor Heemstra
}}
{{football box collapsible
|date = July 6
|time = 5:00 PM EDT
|team1 = Tampa Bay United
|score = 3–2
|report = https://www.modular11.com/match_details/34515/2
|team2 = Tennessee SC
|goals1 =
- Nicholson {{goal|20}}
- Boeckmann {{goal|51}}
- Shackelford {{goal|79}}
|goals2 =
- Molenaar {{goal|32||65}}
|stadium = WakeMed Soccer Park Field 2
Cary, North Carolina
|attendance =
|referee = Nicholas Strednak
}}
{{football box collapsible
|date = July 6
|time = 7:00 PM EDT
|team1 = Flint City AFC
|score = 0–3
|report = https://www.modular11.com/match_details/34510/2
|team2 = Indy Eleven
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
- Bahr {{goal|14|pen.}}
- Dewey {{goal|42}}
- Schmidt {{yel|45}}
- Soderstrom {{goal|48}}
- Kugler {{yel|79}}
|stadium = Atwood Stadium
Flint, Michigan
|attendance =
|referee = Taylor Heemstra
}}
{{football box collapsible
|date = July 6
|time = 7:00 PM EDT
|team1 = North Carolina Courage U23
|score = 3–0
|report = https://www.modular11.com/match_details/34516/2
|team2 = FC Miami City
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|stadium = WakeMed Soccer Park Field 2
Cary, North Carolina
|attendance =
|referee = Achal Awasthi
}}
{{football box collapsible
|date = July 7
|time = 12:30 PM PDT
|team1 = San Francisco Glens SC
|score = 5–1
|report = https://www.modular11.com/match_details/34518/2
|team2 = Oakland Soul SC
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
- Geis {{goal|87}}
|stadium = Skyline College
San Bruno, California
|attendance =
|referee = Devlin Creighton
}}
{{football box collapsible
|date = July 7
|time = 3:00 PM EDT
|team1 = Morris Elite SC
|score = 3–2
|report = https://www.modular11.com/match_details/34512/2
|team2 = Long Island Rough Riders
|goals1 =
- Manning {{goal|10||75}}
- Denbleyker {{yel|15}}
- Cross {{goal|90}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Mountain View Middle School
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
|attendance =
|referee =
}}
{{football box collapsible
|date = July 7
|time = 7:00 PM EDT
|team1 = Eagle FC
|score = 2–1
|report = https://www.modular11.com/match_details/34513/2
|team2 = Christos FC
|goals1 =
- Christopher {{goal|24}}
- Tate {{goal|45+1}}
|goals2 =
- Desmit {{goal|39}} {{yel|56}}
|stadium = Mountain View Middle School
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
|attendance =
|referee =
}}
{{football box collapsible
|date = July 7
|time = 7:00 PM PDT
|team1 = California Storm
|score = 1–0
|report = https://www.modular11.com/match_details/34519/2
|team2 = Oly Town FC
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
- Bunnell {{yel|90}}
|stadium = Davis Legacy Field
Davis, California
|attendance =
|referee =
}}
=Conference Finals=
{{football box collapsible
|date = July 8
|time = 3:00 PM EDT
|team1 = Indy Eleven
|score = 1–0
|report = https://www.modular11.com/match_details/34511/2
|team2 = Minnesota Aurora FC
|goals1 =
- Chatterton {{yel|48}}
- Dewey {{goal|57}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Atwood Stadium
Flint, Michigan
|attendance =
|referee =
}}
{{football box collapsible
|date = July 8
|time = 6:45 PM EDT
|team1 = North Carolina Courage U23
|score = 3–0
|report = https://www.modular11.com/match_details/34517/2
|team2 = Tampa Bay United
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|stadium = WakeMed Soccer Park Field 2
Cary, North Carolina
|attendance =
|referee =
}}
{{football box collapsible
|date = July 9
|time = 12:30 PM PDT
|team1 = San Francisco Glens SC
|score = 2–1
|report = https://www.modular11.com/match_details/34520/2
|team2 = California Storm
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|stadium = Skyline College
San Bruno, California
|attendance =
|referee =
}}
{{football box collapsible
|date = July 9
|time = 5:30 PM EDT
|team1 = Eagle FC
|score = 6–0
|report = https://www.modular11.com/match_details/34514/2
|team2 = Morris Elite SC
|goals1 =
- Butlion {{goal|45+3}}
- Descary {{goal|48}}
- Tate {{goal|54}}
- Christopher {{goal|64||75}}
- Hollenbach {{goal|87}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Mountain View Middle School
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
|attendance =
|referee =
}}
=National Semifinals=
{{football box collapsible
|date = July 14
|time = 7:00 PM EDT
|team1 = North Carolina Courage U23
|score = 4–1
|report= https://www.modular11.com/match_details/43397/2
|team2 = Eagle FC
|goals1 =
- Oliaro {{goal|22}}
- Bader {{goal|26}}
- Geigle {{goal|45+2}}
- Ayscue {{yel|76}}
- Moxely {{goal|81|pen.}}
- Smith {{yel|90+4}}
|goals2 =
- Christopher {{goal|64}}
- Davis {{yel|80}}
|stadium = WakeMed Soccer Park Field 2
Cary, North Carolina
|attendance =
|referee =
}}
{{football box collapsible
|date = July 14
|time = 7:00 PM EDT
|team1 = Indy Eleven
|score = 3–2
|report= https://www.modular11.com/match_details/43396/2
|team2 = San Francisco Glens SC
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|stadium = Grand Park Soccer Complex
Westfield, Indiana
|attendance =
|referee =
}}
=USL W-League Championship Game=
{{football box collapsible
|date = July 22
|time = 2:00 EDT
|team1 = Indy Eleven
|score = 2–1
|report= https://www.modular11.com/match_details/44704/2
|team2 = North Carolina Courage U23
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|aet = y
|stadium = IU Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium
Indianapolis, Indiana
|attendance = 5,419
|referee = Itzel Ochoa
}}
Championship MVP: Alia Martin (IND)
Awards
=Individual awards=
class="wikitable" |
Award
!Winner !Team !Reason !{{tooltip|Ref.|Reference}} |
---|
Golden Boot
| {{flagicon|USA}} Baylee DeSmit | 21 goals in 11 games |
Golden Glove
| {{flagicon|USA}} Bailey Herfurth | .096 Goals Against Average; 11 Shutouts |
Defender of the Year
| {{flagicon|CAN}} Tianna Harris | 4 goals; 2 assists |
Assists Champion
| {{flagicon|USA}} Katie Shea Collins | Tennessee SC | 7 assists |
Young (U20) Player of the Year
| {{flagicon|USA}} Mia Oliaro | 5 goals; 5 assists |
Coach of the Year
| {{flagicon|USA}} Michele Krzisnik | undefeated regular season |
Player of the Year
| {{flagicon|POR}} Nádia Gomes | 16 goals, 8 assists |
=All-League Teams=
==First Team==
F: Samantha Dewey (IND), Baylee DeSmit (IND), Nádia Gomes (SFG)
M: Bella Gaetino (FCA), Mia Oliaro (NCC), Nia Christopher (EFC), Katie Shea Collins (TEN)
D: Laurel Ansbrow (NCC), Tianna Harris (MNA), Elle Piper (SFG)
G: Bailey Herfurth (TBU)
==Second Team==
F: Claire Manning (MOR), Mariah Lee (OLY), Giana Riley (CAL)
M: Hannah Adler (MNA), Kennedy Barschel (CHI), Alia Martin (IND), Lauren Martinho (NCC)
D: Madison Cox (TBU), Carly Smith (EFC), Grace Bahr (IND)
G: Nona Reason (IND)
class="wikitable" |
colspan=3 align=center|Divisional Players of the Year{{cite web|url=https://www.uslwleague.com/news_article/show/1279955 |title=USL W League announces 2023 Divisional Players of the Year |publisher=USLWLeague.com Staff |date=July 25, 2023 |access-date=July 25, 2023}} |
---|
Division
!Player !Team |
Great Lakes
|{{flagicon|USA}} Bailey Korhorn |
Heartland
|{{flagicon|USA}} Maya Hansen |
Metropolitan
|{{flagicon|USA}} Claire Manning |
Mid Atlantic
|{{flagicon|USA}} Baylee DeSmit |
NorCal
|{{flagicon|POR}} Nádia Gomes |
Northwest
|{{flagicon|USA}} Mariah Lee |
Southeast
|{{flagicon|USA}} Carissa Boeckmann |
South Atlantic
|{{flagicon|USA}} Mia Oliaro |
South Central
|{{flagicon|USA}} Katie Shea Collins |
Valley
|{{flagicon|USA}} Samantha Dewey |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.uslwleague.com/ USL W League website]
{{USL seasons}}
{{2023 in American women's soccer}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:USL W League 2023}}