W-League

The USL W-League is a North American women's developmental organization. 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
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.

Former members

 * Alabama Angels Alabama (1996–1998)
 * Albuquerque Crush New Mexico (2002)
 * Arizona Heatwave Arizona (1995, 2001–2005)
 * Asheville Splash North Carolina (2002–2004)
 * Atlanta Classics Georgia (U.S. state) (1997–2000)
 * Austin Lady Lone Stars Texas (1999–2000)
 * Bradenton Athletics Florida (2004–2008)
 * Boston Renegades Massachusetts (1996–2009, Boston Tornado 1995)
 * Buffalo Fillies New York (1996–1998)
 * Buffalo Flash New York (2009–2010) - (left to Women's Professional Soccer)
 * Calgary Wildfire Alberta (2004)
 * California Storm California (1997, Sacramento Storm 1995-1996) - (left to Women's Premier Soccer League)
 * Carolina Dynamo North Carolina (2004–2006, 2008, Greensboro Twisters 2002-2003, Piedmont Spark 1999-2001)
 * Cary Lady Clarets North Carolina (2009, Carolina RailHawks Women 2008)
 * Central Jersey Splash New Jersey (1997–1999)
 * Central Florida Krush Florida (2005–2006)
 * Charlotte Speed North Carolina (1998–1999, Carolina Speed 1997)
 * Chicago Red Eleven Illinois (2009–2010), Chicago Gaels 2005-2008, Chicago Cobras 1996-2004)
 * Cincinnati Ladyhawks Ohio (2000–2006)
 * Cincinnati Leopards Ohio (1995)
 * Cleveland Eclipse Ohio (1996–2001)
 * Cleveland Internationals Women Ohio (2004–2010) - (left to Women's League Soccer)
 * Cocoa Expos Women Florida (2006–2007) - (left to Women's Premier Soccer League)
 * Columbus Lady Shooting Stars Ohio (2003–2004)
 * Columbus Ziggx Ohio (1995–1998)
 * Connecticut Lady Wolves  Connecticut (1995–1998)
 * Connecticut Passion Connecticut (2008–2009)
 * Dallas Lightning  Texas (1996–1997, Texas Lightning 1995)
 * D.C. United Women District of Columbia (2011-2012) - (left to National Women's Soccer League)
 * Delaware Genies Delaware (1997–2000)
 * Denver Diamonds Colorado (1996–2000) - (left to Women's Premier Soccer League)
 * Edmonton Aviators Women Alberta (2004)
 * FC Indiana Indiana (2008–2009) - (left to Women's League Soccer)
 * Finger Lakes Heartbreakers New York (1998)
 * Fort Wayne Fever Indiana (2004–2009)
 * Fredericksburg Lady Gunners Virginia (2007–2008)
 * Gulf Coast Chaos Mississippi (1997)
 * Houston Tornadoes Texas (1999–2001)
 * Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues New York (2009–2010), Jersey Sky Blue 2007-2008)
 * Indiana Blaze Indiana (1997–2001)
 * Jackson Chargers Mississippi (1998–1999, Jackson Calypso 1997)
 * Jacksonville Jade Florida (1999–2002)
 * Kalamazoo Quest Michigan (1998–1999)
 * Kalamazoo Outrage Michigan (2008–2010)
 * Kansas City Mystics Kansas (2001–2002)
 * Kentucky Fillies Kentucky (2000–2002)
 * Laval Dynamites Quebec (1997–2001)
 * Lehigh Valley Cougars Pennsylvania (1996)
 * Los Angeles Legends California (2008–2009)
 * Madison Freeze Wisconsin (1996–1997)
 * Maryland Pride Maryland (1996–2002, Baltimore Bays 1995) - (left to Women's Premier Soccer League)
 * Mass Bay Crusaders Massachusetts (1995)
 * Memphis Mercury Tennessee (2001–2002)
 * Miami Gliders Florida (1998–1999)
 * Michigan Hawks Michigan (2006–2008, Detroit Jaguars 2004-2005)
 * Mile High Edge Colorado (2005–2007, Mile High Mustangs 2001-2004)
 * Minnesota Lightning Minnesota (2006–2009)
 * Montreal Xtreme Quebec (2004)
 * New Brunswick Power New Jersey (2000)
 * New Hampshire Lady Phantoms New Hampshire (1998–2006)
 * New Jersey Lady Stallions New Jersey (1998–2004)
 * New Jersey Rangers New Jersey (2008-2012)
 * Norcal Shockwaves California (1996–1997)
 * North Texas Heat Texas (1999–2000)
 * Northern Kentucky TC Stars Kentucky (2002–2003)
 * Northern Virginia Majestics Virginia (1999-2012)
 * Oklahoma Outrage Oklahoma (2000–2002)
 * Orlando Ladyhawks Florida (1998)
 * Philadelphia Frenzy Pennsylvania (1996–97, Pennsylvania Freedom 1995)
 * Portland Rain Oregon (2001) - (left to Women's Premier Soccer League)
 * Raleigh Wings North Carolina (1998–2000)
 * Rhode Island Lady Stingrays Rhode Island (1996, 2004, Rhode Island Rays 1997-02, Rhode Island Stingrays 2005)
 * Richmond Kickers Destiny Virginia (2004–2009)
 * Rockford Dactyls Illinois (1995–2000)
 * San Diego Sunwaves California (2007, San Diego Gauchos Women 2005-2006)
 * San Diego Top Guns California (1995–1996)
 * San Francisco Night Hawks California (1996–97, San Francisco Vikings 1995)
 * Silicon Valley Red Devils California (1996–1997)
 * South Jersey Banshees New Jersey (2001–2006)
 * Southern California Nitemares California (1995–1996)
 * Springfield Sirens Massachusetts (1999–2001)
 * St. Louis Archers Missouri (2004) - (left to Women's Premier Soccer League)
 * Sudbury Canadians Ontario (2004–2006)
 * Tampa Bay Hellenic Florida (2008–2010) - (left to Women's Premier Soccer League)
 * Tampa Bay Xtreme Florida (1997–2002)
 * Texas Odyssey Texas (2001)
 * Toronto Inferno Ontario (1999–2004)
 * Tulsa Roughnecks Oklahoma (1995)
 * Vancouver Whitecaps Women British Columbia (2003-2012)
 * Vermont Lady Voltage Vermont (2005–2008)
 * Victoria Highlanders Women British Columbia (2011-2012)
 * Washington Freedom Futures District of Columbia (2010), Washington Freedom Reserves 2009, Washington Freedom 2006-2008)
 * Western Mass Lady Pioneers Massachusetts (2004–2009)
 * West Virginia Illusion West Virginia (2008)
 * Wichita Lady Blues Kansas (1995)
 * Windy City Bluez Illinois (2001–2004)

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.
 * 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