USL W-League (1995–2015)
{{Short description|Former soccer league}}
{{About|the former league that existed from 1995 to 2015|the league starting in 2022|USL W League}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}}{{Use American English|date=November 2023}}
{{infobox football league
| name = USL W-League
| logo = Wleaguelogo.svg
| pixels = 250
| country = United States
Canada
| confed = CONCACAF
| founded = 1995
| folded = 2015
| divisions =
| teams = 8
| promotion = None
| relegation = None
| levels = 2
| domest_cup =
| confed_cup =
| champions = Washington Spirit Reserves
| season =
| most successful club = Los Angeles Blues
(4 titles)
| tv =
| website =
| current =
}}
The USL W-League was a North American amateur women's soccer developmental organization.{{cite web | url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2000/06/22/women-play-on-with-little-fanfare/ | title=Women play on with little fanfare }} The league was a semi-professional,{{Cite web |title=not found |url=https://allwhitekit.com/page_not_found |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=allwhitekit.com}}{{cite news |last=Kassouf |first=Jeff |url=https://equalizersoccer.com/2015/11/06/usl-w-league-folds-21-seasons/ |title=USL W-League, once top flight, folds after 21 seasons |work=The Equalizer |date=November 6, 2015 |access-date=July 21, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314193002/https://equalizersoccer.com/2015/11/06/usl-w-league-folds-21-seasons/ |archive-date=March 14, 2020 |quote=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.}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://wleaguesoccer.com/home/899334.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119110213/http://wleaguesoccer.com/home/899334.html|title=W-League|archive-date=19 November 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://equalizersoccer.com/2015/11/06/usl-w-league-folds-21-seasons/|title=Equalizer Soccer – USL W-League, once top flight, folds after 21 seasons|date=November 6, 2015 }}
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.
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.
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.wleaguesoccer.com/teamdirectory/wleague/index_E.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908033037/http://www.wleaguesoccer.com/teamdirectory/wleague/index_E.html|title=United Soccer Leagues (USL)|archive-date=8 September 2015}} Of those 18 teams, eight went on to found United Women's Soccer{{cite web|url=http://www.uwssoccer.com.prod.sportngin.com/news_article/show/598758?referrer_id=2311518&_ga=1.188883433.372738371.1453606905|title=UWS To Form National Pro-Am Women's Soccer League In 2016|work=United Women's Soccer|date=2015-12-16}} (though the two Canadian teams were denied entry) and another seven joined the WPSL.{{cite web|url=http://wpsl.info/news/index.php?cat=1&id=2358|title=WOMEN'S PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE – THE LARGEST NATIONAL WOMEN'S SOCCER LEAGUE IN THE WORLD|date=April 8, 2021 }}{{cite web|url=http://wpsl.info/news/index.php?cat=1&id=2363|title=NEW TEAMS, NEW CITIES, NEW STATES|date=April 8, 2021 }}
The revival of the W-League as the USL W League was announced on June 8, 2021,{{Cite web|url=https://www.uslwleague.com/news_article/show/1168117|title = United Soccer League to Launch W League in 2022| date=June 8, 2021 }} with eight founding teams due to begin play in 2022,{{Cite web|url=https://www.uslwleague.com/news_article/show/1168476|title = USL W League Unveils Eight Inaugural Member Clubs| date=June 8, 2021 }} 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
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.
| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="border:none" | |||||
| scope="col"|Sortable full original team list | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| style="padding:0;border:none"|
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:0;width:100%" | |||||
| scope="col"|Name | scope="col"|State/Prov. | scope="col"|First year | scope="col"|Last year | scope="col"|Other names | scope="col"|Notes |
| Alabama Angels | {{flag|Alabama|name=AL}} | align="center"|1996 | align="center"|1998 | ||
| Albuquerque Crush | {{flag|New Mexico|name=NM}} | colspan=2 align="center"|2002 | |||
| Arizona Heatwave | {{flag|Arizona|name=AZ}} | align="center"|1995 | align="center"|2005 | founding team; inactive 1996–2000 | |
| Arizona Strikers FC | {{flag|Arizona|name=AZ}} | align="center"|2014 | align="center"|2015 | Sedona FC Strikers (2014) | final team |
| Asheville Splash | {{flag|North Carolina|name=NC}} | align="center"|2002 | align="center"|2004 | ||
| Atlanta Classics | {{flag|Georgia (U.S. state)|name=GA}} | align="center"|1997 | align="center"|2000 | ||
| Atlanta Silverbacks Women | {{flag|Georgia (U.S. state)|name=GA}} | align="center"|2005 | align="center"|2015 | final team; left to Women's Premier Soccer League | |
| Austin Lady Lone Stars | {{flag|Texas|name=TX}} | align="center"|1999 | align="center"|2000 | ||
| Bay Area Breeze | {{flag|California|name=CA}} | align="center"|2013 | align="center"|2014 | arrived from Women's Premier Soccer League | |
| Braddock Road Stars Elite | {{flag|Virginia|name=VA}} | align="center"|2014 | align="center"|2015 | final team; left to Women's Premier Soccer League | |
| Bradenton Athletics | {{flag|Florida|name=FL}} | align="center"|2004 | align="center"|2008 | ||
| Boston Renegades | {{flag|Massachusetts|name=MA}} | align="center"|1995 | align="center"|2009 | Boston Tornado (1995) | founding team |
| Buffalo FFillies | {{flag|New York|name=NY}} | align="center"|1996 | align="center"|1998 | ||
| Buffalo Flash | {{flag|New York|name=NY}} | align="center"|2009 | align="center"|2010 | left to Women's Professional Soccer | |
| Calgary Wildfire | {{flag|Alberta|name=AB}} | colspan=2 align="center"|2004 | |||
| Carolina Elite Cobras | {{flag|South Carolina|name=SC}} | align="center"|2012 | align="center"|2015 | Central SC Cobras (2012) | final team; left to Women's Premier Soccer League |
| Cary Lady Clarets | {{flag|North Carolina|name=NC}} | align="center"|2008 | align="center"|2009 | Carolina RailHawks Women (2008) | |
| Central Jersey Splash | {{flag|New Jersey|name=NJ}} | align="center"|1997 | align="center"|1999 | ||
| Central Florida Krush | {{flag|Florida|name=FL}} | align="center"|2005 | align="center"|2006 | ||
| Charlotte Speed | {{flag|North Carolina|name=NC}} | align="center"|1997 | align="center"|1999 | Carolina Speed (1997) | |
| Charlotte Lady Eagles | {{flag|North Carolina|name=NC}} | align="center"|2000 | align="center"|2015 | final team | |
| Chicago Cobras | {{flag|Illinois|name=IL}} | align="center"|1996 | align="center"|2010 | Chicago Gaels (2005–2008) Chicago Red Eleven (2009–2010) | |
| Cincinnati Ladyhawks | {{flag|Ohio|name=OH}} | align="center"|2000 | align="center"|2006 | ||
| Cincinnati Leopards | {{flag|Ohio|name=OH}} | colspan=2 align="center"|1995 | founding team | ||
| Cleveland Eclipse | {{flag|Ohio|name=OH}} | align="center"|1996 | align="center"|2001 | ||
| Cleveland Internationals Women | {{flag|Ohio|name=OH}} | align="center"|2004 | align="center"|2010 | left to Women's League Soccer | |
| Cocoa Expos Women | {{flag|Florida|name=FL}} | align="center"|2006 | align="center"|2007 | left to Women's Premier Soccer League | |
| Colorado Pride | {{flag|Colorado|name=CO}} | align="center"|2014 | align="center"|2015 | final team; left to United Women's Soccer | |
| Colorado Rush Women | {{flag|Colorado|name=CO}} | align="center"|2010 | align="center"|2015 | final team | |
| Colorado Storm | {{flag|Colorado|name=CO}} | align="center"|2014 | align="center"|2015 | final team; left to United Women's Soccer | |
| Columbus Lady Shooting Stars | {{flag|Ohio|name=OH}} | align="center"|2003 | align="center"|2004 | ||
| Columbus Ziggx | {{flag|Ohio|name=OH}} | align="center"|1995 | align="center"|1998 | founding team | |
| Connecticut Lady Wolves | {{flag|Connecticut|name=CT}} | align="center"|1995 | align="center"|1998 | founding team | |
| Connecticut Passion | {{flag|Connecticut|name=CT}} | align="center"|2008 | align="center"|2009 | ||
| Dallas Lightning | {{flag|Texas|name=TX}} | align="center"|1995 | align="center"|1997 | Texas Lightning (1995) | founding team |
| Dayton Dutch Lions WFC | {{flag|Ohio|name=OH}} | align="center"|2011 | align="center"|2015 | final team; left to Women's Premier Soccer League | |
| D.C. United Women | {{flag|District of Columbia|name=DC}} | align="center"|2011 | align="center"|2012 | left to National Women's Soccer League; spun off Washington Spirit Reserves | |
| Delaware Genies | {{flag|Delaware|name=DE}} | align="center"|1997 | align="center"|2000 | ||
| Denver Diamonds | {{flag|Colorado|name=CO}} | align="center"|1996 | align="center"|2000 | left to Women's Premier Soccer League | |
| Edmonton Aviators Women | {{flag|Alberta|name=AB}} | colspan=2 align="center"|2004 | |||
| FC Indiana | {{flag|Indiana|name=IN}} | align="center"|2008 | align="center"|2009 | arrived from Women's Premier Soccer League; left to Women's League Soccer | |
| Finger Lakes Heartbreakers | {{flag|New York|name=NY}} | colspan=2 align="center"|1998 | |||
| Fort Wayne Fever | {{flag|Indiana|name=IN}} | align="center"|2004 | align="center"|2009 | ||
| Fredericksburg Impact | {{flag|Virginia|name=VA}} | align="center"|2011 | align="center"|2013 | ||
| Fredericksburg Lady Gunners | {{flag|Virginia|name=VA}} | align="center"|2007 | align="center"|2008 | ||
| Gulf Coast Chaos | {{flag|Mississippi|name=MS}} | colspan=2 align="center"|1997 | |||
| Gulf Coast Texans | {{flag|Florida|name=FL}} | colspan=2 align="center"|2014 | arrived from Women's Premier Soccer League | ||
| Hamilton Avalanche | {{flag|Ontario|name=ON}} | align="center"|2006 | align="center"|2014 | Hamilton FC Rage (2011–2012) K-W United FC (2013–2014) | |
| Hampton Road Piranhas | {{flag|Virginia|name=VA}} | align="center"|1995 | align="center"|2013 | Virginia Beach Piranhas (2011–2013) | founding team |
| Houston Tornadoes | {{flag|Texas|name=TX}} | align="center"|1999 | align="center"|2001 | ||
| Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues | {{flag|New York|name=NY}} | align="center"|2007 | align="center"|2010 | Jersey Sky Blue (2007–2008) | |
| Indiana Blaze | {{flag|Indiana|name=IN}} | align="center"|1997 | align="center"|2001 | ||
| Jackson Chargers | {{flag|Mississippi|name=MS}} | align="center"|1997 | align="center"|1999 | Jackson Calypso (1997–1998) | |
| Jacksonville Jade | {{flag|Florida|name=FL}} | align="center"|1999 | align="center"|2002 | ||
| Kalamazoo Quest | {{flag|Michigan|name=MI}} | align="center"|1998 | align="center"|1999 | ||
| Kalamazoo Outrage | {{flag|Michigan|name=MI}} | align="center"|2008 | align="center"|2010 | ||
| Kansas City Mystics | {{flag|Kansas|name=KS}} | align="center"|2001 | align="center"|2002 | ||
| Kentucky Fillies | {{flag|Kentucky|name=KY}} | align="center"|2000 | align="center"|2002 | ||
| Laval Comets | {{flag|Quebec|name=QC}} | align="center"|2006 | align="center"|2015 | final team; left to United Women's Soccer | |
| Laval Dynamites | {{flag|Quebec|name=QC}} | align="center"|1999 | align="center"|2001 | ||
| Lehigh Valley Cougars | {{flag|Pennsylvania|name=PA}} | colspan=2 align="center"|1996 | |||
| London Gryphons | {{flag|Ontario|name=ON}} | align="center"|2004 | align="center"|2014 | ||
| Long Island Rough Riders | {{flag|New York|name=NY}} | align="center"|1995 | align="center"|2015 | founding team; final team; left to United Women's Soccer | |
| Los Angeles Legends | {{flag|California|name=CA}} | align="center"|2008 | align="center"|2009 | ||
| Los Angeles Strikers | {{flag|California|name=CA}} | align="center"|2011 | align="center"|2013 | merged with Pali Blues (2014) | |
| Madison Freeze | {{flag|Wisconsin|name=WI}} | align="center"|1996 | align="center"|1997 | ||
| Maryland Pride | {{flag|Maryland|name=MD}} | align="center"|1995 | align="center"|2002 | Baltimore Bays (1995) | founding team; left to Women's Premier Soccer League |
| Mass Bay Crusaders | {{flag|Massachusetts|name=MA}} | colspan=2 align="center"|1995 | founding team | ||
| Memphis Mercury | {{flag|Tennessee|name=TN}} | align="center"|2001 | align="center"|2002 | ||
| Miami Gliders | {{flag|Florida|name=FL}} | align="center"|1998 | align="center"|1999 | ||
| Michigan Hawks | {{flag|Michigan|name=MI}} | align="center"|2004 | align="center"|2008 | Detroit Jaguars (2004–2005) | |
| Mile High Mustangs | {{flag|Colorado|name=CO}} | align="center"|2001 | align="center"|2007 | Mile High Edge (2001–2004) | |
| Minnesota Lightning | {{flag|Minnesota|name=MN}} | align="center"|2006 | align="center"|2009 | ||
| Montreal Xtreme | {{flag|Quebec|name=QC}} | colspan=2 align="center"|2004 | |||
| New Brunswick Power | {{flag|New Jersey|name=NJ}} | colspan=2 align="center"|2000 | |||
| New Hampshire Lady Phantoms | {{flag|New Hampshire|name=NH}} | align="center"|1998 | align="center"|2006 | ||
| New Jersey Lady Stallions | {{flag|New Jersey|name=NJ}} | align="center"|1998 | align="center"|2004 | ||
| New Jersey Rangers | {{flag|New Jersey|name=NJ}} | align="center"|2008 | align="center"|2012 | ||
| New Jersey Wildcats | {{flag|New Jersey|name=NJ}} | align="center"|1996 | align="center"|2015 | final team; left to Women's Premier Soccer League | |
| New York Magic | {{flag|New York|name=NY}} | align="center"|1997 | align="center"|2015 | final team; left to United Women's Soccer | |
| Norcal Shockwaves | {{flag|California|name=CA}} | align="center"|1996 | align="center"|1997 | left to Women's Premier Soccer League | |
| North Texas Heat | {{flag|Texas|name=TX}} | align="center"|1999 | align="center"|2000 | ||
| Northern Kentucky TC Stars | {{flag|Kentucky|name=KY}} | align="center"|2002 | align="center"|2003 | ||
| Northern Virginia Majestics | {{flag|Virginia|name=VA}} | align="center"|1999 | align="center"|2012 | ||
| North Jersey Valkyries | {{flag|New Jersey|name=NJ}} | align="center"|2010 | align="center"|2015 | final team; left to United Women's Soccer | |
| Oklahoma Outrage | {{flag|Oklahoma|name=OK}} | align="center"|2000 | align="center"|2002 | ||
| Orlando Ladyhawks | {{flag|Florida|name=FL}} | colspan=2 align="center"|1998 | |||
| Ottawa Fury FC | {{flag|Ontario|name=ON}} | align="center"|2000 | align="center"|2014 | ||
| Piedmont Spark | {{flag|North Carolina|name=NC}} | align="center"|1999 | align="center"|2008 | Greensboro Twisters (2002–2003) Carolina Dynamo (2004–2006, 2008) | inactive 2007 |
| Pali Blues | {{flag|California|name=CA}} | align="center"|2008 | align="center"|2014 | Los Angeles Blues (2014) | merged with Los Angeles Strikers (2014) |
| Philadelphia Frenzy | {{flag|Pennsylvania|name=PA}} | align="center"|1995 | align="center"|1997 | Pennsylvania Freedom (1995) | founding team |
| Portland Rain | {{flag|Oregon|name=OR}} | colspan=2 align="center"|2001 | left to Women's Premier Soccer League | ||
| Quebec City Amiral SC | {{flag|Quebec|name=QC}} | align="center"|2009 | align="center"|2015 | Quebec Dynamo ARSQ (2014–2015) | final team; left to United Women's Soccer |
| Raleigh Wings | {{flag|North Carolina|name=NC}} | align="center"|1998 | align="center"|2000 | ||
| Real Colorado Cougars | {{flag|Colorado|name=CO}} | {{center|2000}} | {{center|2010}} | Colorado Gold (2000) Denver Lady Cougars (2001–2005){{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/usadave/soccerclub.html |title=THE GRAND LIST, A - G |date=February 25, 2010 |access-date=June 7, 2023 |work=RSSSF |first=Kris |last=Rizakis}} | |
| Rhode Island Rays | {{flag|Rhode Island|name=RI}} | align="center"|1995 | align="center"|2004 | Rhode Island Lady Stingrays (1996, 2004) Rhode Island Stingrays (1995) | founding team; left to Women's Premier Soccer League |
| Richmond Kickers Destiny | {{flag|Virginia|name=VA}} | align="center"|2004 | align="center"|2009 | ||
| Rochester Ravens | {{flag|New York|name=NY}} | align="center"|1996 | align="center"|2012 | ||
| Rockford Dactyls | {{flag|Illinois|name=IL}} | align="center"|1995 | align="center"|2000 | founding team | |
| Sacramento Storm | {{flag|California|name=CA}} | align="center"|1995 | align="center"|1997 | California Storm (1997) | founding team; left to Women's Premier Soccer League |
| San Diego Gauchos Women | {{flag|California|name=CA}} | align="center"|2005 | align="center"|2007 | San Diego Sunwaves (2007) | |
| San Diego Top Guns | {{flag|California|name=CA}} | colspan=2 align="center"|1995 | founding team | ||
| San Francisco Nighthawks | {{flag|California|name=CA}} | align="center"|1995 | align="center"|1997 | San Francisco Vikings (1995) | founding team; left to Women's Premier Soccer League |
| Santa Clarita Blue Heat | {{flag|California|name=CA}} | align="center"|2008 | align="center"|2015 | Ventura County Fusion (2008–2009) | final team; left to United Women's Soccer |
| Seattle Sounders Women | {{flag|Washington|name=WA}} | align="center"|2001 | align="center"|2015 | final team; left to Women's Premier Soccer League | |
| Silicon Valley Red Devils | {{flag|California|name=CA}} | align="center"|1996 | align="center"|1997 | left to Women's Premier Soccer League | |
| South Jersey Banshees | {{flag|New Jersey|name=NJ}} | align="center"|2001 | align="center"|2006 | ||
| Southern California Nitemares | {{flag|California|name=CA}} | align="center"|1995 | align="center"|1996 | founding team | |
| Springfield Sirens | {{flag|Massachusetts|name=MA}} | align="center"|1999 | align="center"|2001 | left to Women's Premier Soccer League | |
| St. Louis Archers | {{flag|Missouri|name=MO}} | colspan=2 align="center"|2004 | left to Women's Premier Soccer League | ||
| Sudbury Canadians | {{flag|Ontario|name=ON}} | align="center"|2004 | align="center"|2006 | ||
| Tampa Bay Hellenic | {{flag|Florida|name=FL}} | align="center"|2008 | align="center"|2010 | left to Women's Premier Soccer League; merged with VSI Tampa Bay FC (2013) | |
| Tampa Bay Xtreme | {{flag|Florida|name=FL}} | align="center"|1997 | align="center"|2002 | ||
| Texas Odyssey | {{flag|Texas|name=TX}} | colspan=2 align="center"|2001 | |||
| Toronto Inferno | {{flag|Ontario|name=ON}} | align="center"|1999 | align="center"|2004 | ||
| Toronto Lady Lynx | {{flag|Ontario|name=ON}} | align="center"|2005 | align="center"|2014 | ||
| Tulsa Roughnecks | {{flag|Oklahoma|name=OK}} | colspan=2 align="center"|1995 | founding team | ||
| Vancouver Whitecaps Women | {{flag|British Columbia|name=BC}} | align="center"|2001 | align="center"|2012 | Vancouver Breakers (2001-2002) | |
| Vermont Lady Voltage | {{flag|Vermont|name=VT}} | align="center"|2005 | align="center"|2008 | ||
| Victoria Highlanders Women | {{flag|British Columbia|name=BC}} | align="center"|2011 | align="center"|2012 | ||
| VSI Tampa Bay FC | {{flag|Florida|name=FL}} | align="center"|2012 | align="center"|2013 | VSI Tampa Flames (2012) | merged with Tampa Bay Hellenic (2013) |
| Washington Freedom | {{flag|District of Columbia|name=DC}} | align="center"|2006 | align="center"|2008 | left to Women's Professional Soccer, spun off Washington Freedom Futures | |
| Washington Freedom Futures | {{flag|District of Columbia|name=DC}} | align="center"|2009 | align="center"|2010 | Washington Freedom Reserves (2009) | |
| Washington Spirit Reserves | {{flag|District of Columbia|name=DC}} | align="center"|2013 | align="center"|2015 | final team; left to Women's Premier Soccer League | |
| Western Mass Lady Pioneers | {{flag|Massachusetts|name=MA}} | align="center"|2004 | align="center"|2009 | ||
| West Virginia Illusion | {{flag|West Virginia|name=WV}} | colspan=2 align="center"|2008 | |||
| Wichita Lady Blues | {{flag|Kansas|name=KS}} | colspan=2 align="center"|1995 | founding team | ||
| Windy City Bluez | {{flag|Illinois|name=IL}} | align="center"|2001 | align="center"|2004 |
|}
DateFormat = yyyy
ImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:20
Period = from:1995 till:2021
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal
PlotArea = right:20 left:0 bottom:20 top:5 #> to display a count on left side of graph, use "left:20" to suppress the count, use "left:20"<#
Colors = id:barcolor value:rgb(0.99,0.7,0.7)
id:line value:black
id:lightline value:rgb(0.5,0.5,0.5)
id:bg value:white
id:Member value:rgb(0.740,0.740,0.940) # Use this color to denote a team that was a W-League member
id:MemberN value:rgb(0.740,0.840,0.940) # Use this color to denote a team that was a W-League member under a different name
id:Pro value:rgb(0.980,0.700,0.700) # Use this color to denote a team that was in a professional league (WUSA/WPS/NWSL)
id:WPSL value:rgb(0.988,0.703,0.383) # Use this color to denote a team that was in WPSL
id:WLS value:rgb(0.996,0.996,0.699) # Use this color to denote a team that was in WLS
id:UWS value:rgb(0.740,0.940,0.740) # Use this color to denote a team that was in UWS
id:inactive value:rgb(0.940,0.940,0.940)
PlotData=
width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:s
bar:1 color:Member from:1995 till:1996 text:Cincinnati Leopards
bar:2 color:Member from:1995 till:1996 text:Mass Bay Crusaders
bar:3 color:Member from:1995 till:1996 text:San Diego Top Guns
bar:4 color:Member from:1995 till:1996 text:Tulsa Roughnecks
bar:5 color:Member from:1995 till:1996 text:Wichita Lady Blues
bar:6 color:Member from:1995 till:1997 text:Southern California Nitemares
bar:7 color:MemberN from:1995 till:1996 text:Dallas Lightning
bar:7 color:Member from:1996 till:1998
bar:8 color:MemberN from:1995 till:1996 text:Philadelphia Frenzy
bar:8 color:Member from:1996 till:1998
bar:9 color:Member from:1995 till:1997 text:Sacramento (California) Storm
bar:9 color:MemberN from:1997 till:1998
bar:9 color:WPSL from:1998 till:2020
bar:9 color:WPSL from:1999 till:2000 text: *
bar:9 color:WPSL from:2002 till:2003 text: *
bar:9 color:WPSL from:2004 till:2005 text: *
bar:9 color:Pro from:2020 till:2021
bar:10 color:MemberN from:1995 till:1996 text:San Francisco Nighthawks
bar:10 color:Member from:1996 till:1998
bar:10 color:WPSL from:1998 till:2021
bar:11 color:Member from:1995 till:1999 text:Columbus Ziggx
bar:12 color:Member from:1995 till:1999 text:Connecticut Lady Wolves
bar:13 color:Member from:1995 till:2001 text:Rockford Dactyls
bar:14 color:MemberN from:1995 till:1996 text:Maryland * Pride
bar:14 color:Member from:1996 till:2003
bar:14 color:WPSL from:2003 till:2011
bar:14 color:inactive from:2008 till:2009
bar:15 color:Member from:1995 till:2005 text:Rhode Island Rays
bar:15 color:MemberN from:1996 till:1997
bar:15 color:WPSL from:2003 till:2007
bar:15 color:Member from:2004 till:2005 text:(also WPSL)
bar:16 color:Member from:1995 till:2006 text:Arizona Heatwave
bar:16 color:inactive from:1996 till:2001
bar:17 color:MemberN from:1995 till:1996 text:Boston Renegades
bar:17 color:Member from:1996 till:2010
bar:17 color:Member from:2001 till:2002 text: *
bar:17 color:Member from:2002 till:2003 text: *
bar:18 color:Member from:1995 till:2011 text:Hampton Road Piranhas
bar:18 color:Member from:2003 till:2004 text: *
bar:18 color:MemberN from:2011 till:2014 text:(Virginia Beach Piranhas)
bar:19 color:Member from:1995 till:2016 text:* Long Island Rough * Riders
bar:19 color:UWS from:2016 till:2021
bar:20 color:Member from:1996 till:1997 text:Lehigh Valley Cougars
bar:21 color:Member from:1996 till:1998 text:Madison Freeze
bar:22 color:Member from:1996 till:1998 text:Norcal Shockwaves
bar:22 color:WPSL from:1998 till:2000
bar:23 color:Member from:1996 till:1998 text:Silicon Valley Red * Devils
bar:23 color:WPSL from:1998 till:2001
bar:24 color:Member from:1996 till:1999 text:Alabama Angels
bar:25 color:Member from:1996 till:1999 text:Buffalo FFillies
bar:26 color:Member from:1996 till:2001 text:Denver Diamonds
bar:26 color:WPSL from:2002 till:2009
bar:26 color:inactive from:2001 till:2002
bar:26 color:inactive from:2005 till:2006
bar:27 color:Member from:1996 till:2002 text:Cleveland Eclipse
bar:28 color:Member from:1996 till:2011 text:Chicago Cobras
bar:28 color:Member from:2000 till:2001 text: *
bar:28 color:MemberN from:2005 till:2009 text:(Chicago Gaels)
bar:28 color:Member from:2009 till:2011 text:(Chicago Red Eleven)
bar:29 color:Member from:1996 till:2013 text:Rochester Ravens
bar:30 color:Member from:1996 till:2016 text:New Jersey Wildcats
bar:30 color:Member from:2005 till:2006 text: *
bar:30 color:WPSL from:2016 till:2021
bar:31 color:Member from:1997 till:1998 text:Gulf Coast Chaos
bar:32 color:Member from:1997 till:2000 text:Central Jersey Splash
bar:33 color:MemberN from:1997 till:1998 text:Charlotte Speed
bar:33 color:Member from:1998 till:2000
bar:34 color:MemberN from:1997 till:1998 text:Jackson Chargers
bar:34 color:Member from:1998 till:2000
bar:35 color:Member from:1997 till:2001 text:Atlanta Classics
bar:36 color:Member from:1997 till:2001 text:Delaware Genies
bar:37 color:Member from:1997 till:2002 text:Indiana Blaze
bar:38 color:Member from:1997 till:2002 text:Laval Dynamites
bar:39 color:Member from:1997 till:2003 text:Tampa Bay Xtreme
bar:40 color:Member from:1998 till:1999 text:Finger Lakes Heartbreakers
bar:41 color:Member from:1998 till:1999 text:Orlando Ladyhawks
bar:42 color:Member from:1998 till:2000 text:Kalamazoo Quest
bar:43 color:Member from:1998 till:2000 text:Miami Gliders
bar:44 color:Member from:1998 till:2001 text:* Raleigh * Wings
bar:45 color:Member from:1998 till:2005 text:New Jersey Lady Stallions
bar:46 color:Member from:1998 till:2007 text:New Hampshire Lady Phantoms
bar:47 color:Member from:1998 till:2016 text:New York Magic
bar:47 color:UWS from:2016 till:2018
bar:48 color:Member from:1999 till:2001 text:Austin Lady Lone Stars
bar:49 color:Member from:1999 till:2001 text:North Texas Heat
bar:50 color:Member from:1999 till:2002 text:Houston Tornadoes
bar:51 color:Member from:1999 till:2002 text:Springfield Sirens
bar:51 color:WPSL from:2002 till:2016 text:(New England Mutiny)
bar:51 color:UWS from:2016 till:2021
bar:52 color:Member from:1999 till:2003 text:Jacksonville Jade
bar:53 color:Member from:1999 till:2005 text:Toronto Inferno
bar:54 color:Member from:1999 till:2007 text:Piedmont Spark
bar:54 color:MemberN from:2002 till:2004 text:(Greensboro Twisters, Carolina Dynamo)
bar:54 color:inactive from:2007 till:2016
bar:54 color:Member from:2008 till:2009
bar:54 color:WPSL from:2016 till:2021
bar:55 color:Member from:1999 till:2013 text:Northern Virginia Majestics
bar:56 color:Member from:2000 till:2001 text:New Brunswick Power
bar:57 color:Member from:2000 till:2003 text:Kentucky Fillies
bar:58 color:Member from:2000 till:2003 text:Oklahoma Outrage
bar:59 color:Member from:2000 till:2007 text:Cincinnati Ladyhawks
bar:60 color:Member from:2000 till:2011
bar:60 color:MemberN from:2000 till:2001 text:C. Gold
bar:60 color:MemberN from:2001 till:2005 text:Den. Lady Cougars
bar:60 color:Member from:2005 till:2010 text:Real Colorado Cougars
bar:61 color:Member from:2000 till:2015 text:Ottawa Fury FC
bar:61 color:Member from:2012 till:2013 text: *
bar:62 color:Member from:2000 till:2016 text:Charlotte Lady Eagles
bar:62 color:inactive from:2016 till:2019
bar:62 color:WPSL from:2019 till:2021
ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:1 start:1995
TextData =
fontsize:L
textcolor:black
pos:(0,30) tabs:(400-center)
text:
- > If the chart uses more than one bar color, add a legend by selecting the appropriate fields from the following six options (use only the colors that are used in the graphic.) Leave a blank line after the end of the timeline, then add a line with the selected values from the list, separated by a space. – <#
DateFormat = yyyy
ImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:20
Period = from:1995 till:2021
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal
PlotArea = right:20 left:0 bottom:50 top:5 #> to display a count on left side of graph, use "left:20" to suppress the count, use "left:20"<#
Colors = id:barcolor value:rgb(0.99,0.7,0.7)
id:line value:black
id:lightline value:rgb(0.5,0.5,0.5)
id:bg value:white
id:Member value:rgb(0.740,0.740,0.940) # Use this color to denote a team that was a W-League member
id:MemberN value:rgb(0.740,0.840,0.940) # Use this color to denote a team that was a W-League member under a different name
id:Pro value:rgb(0.980,0.700,0.700) # Use this color to denote a team that was in a professional league (WUSA/WPS/NWSL)
id:WPSL value:rgb(0.988,0.703,0.383) # Use this color to denote a team that was in WPSL
id:WLS value:rgb(0.996,0.996,0.699) # Use this color to denote a team that was in WLS
id:UWS value:rgb(0.740,0.940,0.740) # Use this color to denote a team that was in UWS
id:inactive value:rgb(0.940,0.940,0.940)
PlotData=
width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:s
bar:62 color:Member from:2001 till:2002 text:Texas Odyssey
bar:63 color:inactive from:2000 till:2010
bar:63 color:Member from:2001 till:2002 text:Portland Rain
bar:63 color:WPSL from:2010 till:2013
bar:64 color:Member from:2001 till:2003 text:Kansas City Mystics
bar:65 color:Member from:2001 till:2003 text:Memphis Mercury
bar:66 color:Member from:2001 till:2005 text:Windy City Bluez
bar:67 color:Member from:2001 till:2007 text:South Jersey Banshees
bar:68 color:Member from:2001 till:2005 text:Mile High Edge
bar:68 color:MemberN from:2005 till:2008 text:(Mile High Mustangs)
bar:69 color:Member from:2002 till:2003 text:Albuquerque Crush
bar:70 color:Member from:2002 till:2004 text:Northern Kentucky TC Stars
bar:71 color:Member from:2002 till:2005 text:Asheville Splash
bar:72 color:Member from:2002 till:2016 text:Seattle Sounders Women
bar:72 color:WPSL from:2016 till:2021
bar:73 color:Member from:2003 till:2005 text:Columbus Lady Shooting Stars
bar:74 color:Member from:2003 till:2013 text:Vancouver * Whitecaps Women *
bar:75 color:Member from:2004 till:2005 text:Calgary Wildfire
bar:76 color:Member from:2004 till:2005 text:Edmonton Aviators Women
bar:77 color:Member from:2004 till:2005 text:Montreal Xtreme
bar:78 color:Member from:2004 till:2005 text:St. Louis Archers
bar:78 color:WPSL from:2005 till:2008
bar:78 color:WPSL from:2006 till:2008 text:(River Cities FC)
bar:79 color:Member from:2004 till:2007 text:Sudbury Canadians
bar:80 color:Member from:2004 till:2009 text:Bradenton Athletics
bar:81 color:Member from:2006 till:2009 text:Michigan Hawks
bar:81 color:MemberN from:2004 till:2006 text:(Detroit Jaguars)
bar:82 color:Member from:2004 till:2010 text:Fort Wayne Fever
bar:82 color:inactive from:2013 till:2017 text:Fort Wayne United
bar:82 color:UWS from:2017 till:2021
bar:83 color:Member from:2004 till:2010 text:Richmond Kickers Destiny
bar:84 color:Member from:2004 till:2010 text:Western Mass Lady Pioneers
bar:85 color:Member from:2004 till:2011 text:Cleveland Internationals Women
bar:85 color:WLS from:2011 till:2013
bar:86 color:Member from:2004 till:2015 text:London Gryphons
bar:87 color:Member from:2005 till:2007 text:Central Florida Krush
bar:88 color:Member from:2005 till:2007 text:San Diego Gauchos Women
bar:88 color:MemberN from:2007 till:2008
bar:89 color:Member from:2005 till:2009 text:Vermont Lady Voltage
bar:90 color:Member from:2005 till:2015 text:Toronto Lady Lynx
bar:91 color:Member from:2005 till:2016 text:Atlanta Silverbacks Women
bar:91 color:Member from:2011 till:2012 text: *
bar:91 color:WPSL from:2016 till:2018
bar:92 color:Member from:2006 till:2008 text:Cocoa Expos Women
bar:92 color:WPSL from:2008 till:2009
bar:93 color:Pro from:2001 till:2004
bar:93 color:Pro from:2003 till:2004 text: *
bar:93 color:inactive from:2004 till:2006
bar:93 color:Member from:2006 till:2009 text:Washington * Freedom
bar:93 color:Pro from:2009 till:2011
bar:93 color:Pro from:2011 till:2012 text:(magicJack)
bar:94 color:MemberN from:2009 till:2010 text:Washington Freedom Futures
bar:94 color:Member from:2010 till:2011
bar:95 color:Member from:2006 till:2010 text:Minnesota Lightning
bar:96 color:Member from:2006 till:2011 text:Hamilton Avalanche
bar:96 color:MemberN from:2011 till:2013 text:(Hamilton FC Rage, K-W United FC)
bar:96 color:Member from:2013 till:2015
bar:97 color:Member from:2006 till:2016 text:Laval Comets
bar:97 color:inactive from:2016 till:2018
bar:98 color:Member from:2007 till:2009 text:Fredericksburg Lady Gunners
bar:99 color:MemberN from:2007 till:2009 text:Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues
bar:99 color:Member from:2009 till:2011
bar:100 color:Member from:2008 till:2009 text:West Virginia Illusion
bar:101 color:MemberN from:2008 till:2009 text:Cary Lady Clarets
bar:101 color:Member from:2009 till:2010
bar:102 color:Member from:2008 till:2010 text:Connecticut Passion
bar:103 color:WPSL from:2005 till:2008 text: *
bar:103 color:WPSL from:2007 till:2008 text: *
bar:103 color:Member from:2008 till:2010 text:FC Indiana
bar:103 color:inactive from:2010 till:2011
bar:103 color:WLS from:2011 till:2013 text: *(also WPSL)*
bar:103 color:inactive from:2013 till:2014
bar:103 color:WPSL from:2014 till:2017
bar:103 color:UWS from:2017 till:2018
bar:104 color:Member from:2008 till:2010 text:Los Angeles Legends
bar:105 color:Member from:2008 till:2011 text:Kalamazoo Outrage
bar:106 color:Member from:2008 till:2011 text:Tampa Bay Hellenic
bar:106 color:WPSL from:2011 till:2018
bar:106 color:MemberN from:2013 till:2014 text:†
bar:107 color:Member from:2008 till:2013 text:New Jersey Rangers
bar:108 color:Member from:2008 till:2014 text: * Pali Blues *
bar:108 color:Member from:2013 till:2014 text: *
bar:108 color:MemberN from:2014 till:2015 text: * (Los Angeles Blues, SoCal FC)
bar:108 color:WPSL from:2015 till:2019
bar:109 color:Member from:2009 till:2011 text:Buffalo Flash *
bar:109 color:Pro from:2011 till:2017 text: * (Western * New York Flash)
bar:109 color:WPSL from:2012 till:2013
bar:109 color:UWS from:2017 till:2019
bar:110 color:Member from:2009 till:2014 text:Quebec City Amiral SC
bar:110 color:MemberN from:2014 till:2016 text:(Quebec Dynamo ARSQ)
bar:110 color:inactive from:2016 till:2018
bar:111 color:Member from:2010 till:2016 text:Colorado Rush
bar:112 color:Member from:2010 till:2016 text:North Jersey Valkyries
bar:112 color:UWS from:2016 till:2017
bar:113 color:Member from:2010 till:2016 text:Santa Clarita Blue Heat
bar:113 color:UWS from:2016 till:2021
bar:114 color:Member from:2011 till:2013 text:D.C. United Women
bar:114 color:Pro from:2013 till:2021 text: (Washington Spirit)
bar:115 color:Member from:2013 till:2016 text:Washington Spirit * Reserves
bar:115 color:WPSL from:2016 till:2019
bar:115 color:inactive from:2019 till:2021
bar:116 color:Member from:2011 till:2013 text:Victoria Highlanders Women
bar:117 color:Member from:2011 till:2014 text:Fredericksburg Impact
bar:118 color:Member from:2011 till:2014 text:Los Angeles Strikers
bar:118 color:MemberN from:2014 till:2015 text:†
bar:119 color:Member from:2011 till:2016 text:Dayton Dutch Lions WFC
bar:119 color:WPSL from:2016 till:2021
bar:120 color:Member from:2012 till:2016 text:Carolina Elite Cobras
bar:120 color:WPSL from:2016 till:2017
bar:121 color:Member from:2013 till:2014 text:VSI Tampa Bay FC
bar:122 color:WPSL from:2011 till:2013
bar:122 color:Member from:2013 till:2015 text:Bay Area Breeze
bar:123 color:WPSL from:2011 till:2021
bar:123 color:Member from:2014 till:2015 text:Gulf Coast Texans (Pensacola FC)
bar:123 color:inactive from:2015 till:2016
bar:124 color:Member from:2014 till:2016 text:Arizona Strikers FC
bar:125 color:Member from:2014 till:2016 text:Braddock Road Stars Elite
bar:125 color:WPSL from:2016 till:2018
bar:126 color:Member from:2014 till:2016 text:Colorado Pride
bar:126 color:UWS from:2016 till:2021
bar:126 color:inactive from:2017 till:2018
bar:127 color:Member from:2014 till:2016 text:Colorado Storm
bar:127 color:UWS from:2016 till:2017
ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:1 start:1995
TextData =
fontsize:L
textcolor:black
pos:(0,30) tabs:(400-center)
text:^"W-League Membership History"
- > If the chart uses more than one bar color, add a legend by selecting the appropriate fields from the following six options (use only the colors that are used in the graphic.) Leave a blank line after the end of the timeline, then add a line with the selected values from the list, separated by a space. – <#
{{refbegin}}
{{Font color || {{RGB|189|189|241}}|W-League member}}{{Font color || {{RGB|189|215|241}}|(alt.name/merger†)}}
{{Font color || {{RGB|251|179|179}}|WUSA / WPS / NWSL}}
{{Font color || {{RGB|253|180| 98}}|WPSL}}{{Font color || {{RGB|255|255|179}}|-WLS}}{{Font color || {{RGB|189|241|189}}|-UWS}}
{{Font color || {{RGB|241|241|241}}|inactive / exhibition / other}}
(*) indicates championship
{{refend}}
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 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 Nitemares
References
{{reflist}}
{{USL W-League}}
{{United Soccer League}}
{{US Women's soccer}}
{{USDefunctSoccer}}
{{Soccer in the United States}}
{{Soccer in Canada}}
{{Major women's sport leagues in North America}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:USL W-League (1995-2015)}}
Category:Defunct United Soccer League competitions
Category:Defunct women's soccer leagues in the United States
Category:Defunct women's soccer leagues in Canada
Category:Professional sports leagues in the United States
Category:Sports leagues established in 1995
Category:1995 establishments in the United States