# USL W-League (1995–2015)

The USL W-League was a North American amateur women's soccer developmental organization. The league was a semi-professional, 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.
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. Of those 18 teams, eight went on to found United Women's Soccer (though the two Canadian teams were denied entry) and another seven joined the WPSL.
The revival of the W-League as the USL W League was announced on June 8, 2021, with eight founding teams due to begin play in 2022, 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.
Sortable full original team list :
| Name | State/Prov. | First year | Last year | Other names | Notes |
| Alabama Angels | AL | 1996 | 1998 | | |
| Albuquerque Crush | NM | 2002 | 2002 | | |
| Arizona Heatwave | AZ | 1995 | 2005 | | founding team; inactive 1996–2000 |
| Arizona Strikers FC | AZ | 2014 | 2015 | Sedona FC Strikers (2014) | final team |
| Asheville Splash | NC | 2002 | 2004 | | |
| Atlanta Classics | GA | 1997 | 2000 | | |
| Atlanta Silverbacks Women | GA | 2005 | 2015 | | final team; left to Women's Premier Soccer League |
| Austin Lady Lone Stars | TX | 1999 | 2000 | | |
| Bay Area Breeze | CA | 2013 | 2014 | | arrived from Women's Premier Soccer League |
| Braddock Road Stars Elite | VA | 2014 | 2015 | | final team; left to Women's Premier Soccer League |
| Bradenton Athletics | FL | 2004 | 2008 | | |
| Boston Renegades | MA | 1995 | 2009 | Boston Tornado (1995) | founding team |
| Buffalo FFillies | NY | 1996 | 1998 | | |
| Buffalo Flash | NY | 2009 | 2010 | | left to Women's Professional Soccer |
| Calgary Wildfire | AB | 2004 | 2004 | | |
| Carolina Elite Cobras | SC | 2012 | 2015 | Central SC Cobras (2012) | final team; left to Women's Premier Soccer League |
| Cary Lady Clarets | NC | 2008 | 2009 | Carolina RailHawks Women (2008) | |
| Central Jersey Splash | NJ | 1997 | 1999 | | |
| Central Florida Krush | FL | 2005 | 2006 | | |
| Charlotte Speed | NC | 1997 | 1999 | Carolina Speed (1997) | |
| Charlotte Lady Eagles | NC | 2000 | 2015 | | final team |
| Chicago Cobras | IL | 1996 | 2010 | Chicago Gaels (2005–2008) Chicago Red Eleven (2009–2010) | |
| Cincinnati Ladyhawks | OH | 2000 | 2006 | | |
| Cincinnati Leopards | OH | 1995 | 1995 | | founding team |
| Cleveland Eclipse | OH | 1996 | 2001 | | |
| Cleveland Internationals Women | OH | 2004 | 2010 | | left to Women's League Soccer |
| Cocoa Expos Women | FL | 2006 | 2007 | | left to Women's Premier Soccer League |
| Colorado Pride | CO | 2014 | 2015 | | final team; left to United Women's Soccer |
| Colorado Rush Women | CO | 2010 | 2015 | | final team |
| Colorado Storm | CO | 2014 | 2015 | | final team; left to United Women's Soccer |
| Columbus Lady Shooting Stars | OH | 2003 | 2004 | | |
| Columbus Ziggx | OH | 1995 | 1998 | | founding team |
| Connecticut Lady Wolves | CT | 1995 | 1998 | | founding team |
| Connecticut Passion | CT | 2008 | 2009 | | |
| Dallas Lightning | TX | 1995 | 1997 | Texas Lightning (1995) | founding team |
| Dayton Dutch Lions WFC | OH | 2011 | 2015 | | final team; left to Women's Premier Soccer League |
| D.C. United Women | DC | 2011 | 2012 | | left to National Women's Soccer League; spun off Washington Spirit Reserves |
| Delaware Genies | DE | 1997 | 2000 | | |
| Denver Diamonds | CO | 1996 | 2000 | | left to Women's Premier Soccer League |
| Edmonton Aviators Women | AB | 2004 | 2004 | | |
| FC Indiana | IN | 2008 | 2009 | | arrived from Women's Premier Soccer League; left to Women's League Soccer |
| Finger Lakes Heartbreakers | NY | 1998 | 1998 | | |
| Fort Wayne Fever | IN | 2004 | 2009 | | |
| Fredericksburg Impact | VA | 2011 | 2013 | | |
| Fredericksburg Lady Gunners | VA | 2007 | 2008 | | |
| Gulf Coast Chaos | MS | 1997 | 1997 | | |
| Gulf Coast Texans | FL | 2014 | 2014 | | arrived from Women's Premier Soccer League |
| Hamilton Avalanche | ON | 2006 | 2014 | Hamilton FC Rage (2011–2012) K-W United FC (2013–2014) | |
| Hampton Road Piranhas | VA | 1995 | 2013 | Virginia Beach Piranhas (2011–2013) | founding team |
| Houston Tornadoes | TX | 1999 | 2001 | | |
| Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues | NY | 2007 | 2010 | Jersey Sky Blue (2007–2008) | |
| Indiana Blaze | IN | 1997 | 2001 | | |
| Jackson Chargers | MS | 1997 | 1999 | Jackson Calypso (1997–1998) | |
| Jacksonville Jade | FL | 1999 | 2002 | | |
| Kalamazoo Quest | MI | 1998 | 1999 | | |
| Kalamazoo Outrage | MI | 2008 | 2010 | | |
| Kansas City Mystics | KS | 2001 | 2002 | | |
| Kentucky Fillies | KY | 2000 | 2002 | | |
| Laval Comets | QC | 2006 | 2015 | | final team; left to United Women's Soccer |
| Laval Dynamites | QC | 1999 | 2001 | | |
| Lehigh Valley Cougars | PA | 1996 | 1996 | | |
| London Gryphons | ON | 2004 | 2014 | | |
| Long Island Rough Riders | NY | 1995 | 2015 | | founding team; final team; left to United Women's Soccer |
| Los Angeles Legends | CA | 2008 | 2009 | | |
| Los Angeles Strikers | CA | 2011 | 2013 | | merged with Pali Blues (2014) |
| Madison Freeze | WI | 1996 | 1997 | | |
| Maryland Pride | MD | 1995 | 2002 | Baltimore Bays (1995) | founding team; left to Women's Premier Soccer League |
| Mass Bay Crusaders | MA | 1995 | 1995 | | founding team |
| Memphis Mercury | TN | 2001 | 2002 | | |
| Miami Gliders | FL | 1998 | 1999 | | |
| Michigan Hawks | MI | 2004 | 2008 | Detroit Jaguars (2004–2005) | |
| Mile High Mustangs | CO | 2001 | 2007 | Mile High Edge (2001–2004) | |
| Minnesota Lightning | MN | 2006 | 2009 | | |
| Montreal Xtreme | QC | 2004 | 2004 | | |
| New Brunswick Power | NJ | 2000 | 2000 | | |
| New Hampshire Lady Phantoms | NH | 1998 | 2006 | | |
| New Jersey Lady Stallions | NJ | 1998 | 2004 | | |
| New Jersey Rangers | NJ | 2008 | 2012 | | |
| New Jersey Wildcats | NJ | 1996 | 2015 | | final team; left to Women's Premier Soccer League |
| New York Magic | NY | 1997 | 2015 | | final team; left to United Women's Soccer |
| Norcal Shockwaves | CA | 1996 | 1997 | | left to Women's Premier Soccer League |
| North Texas Heat | TX | 1999 | 2000 | | |
| Northern Kentucky TC Stars | KY | 2002 | 2003 | | |
| Northern Virginia Majestics | VA | 1999 | 2012 | | |
| North Jersey Valkyries | NJ | 2010 | 2015 | | final team; left to United Women's Soccer |
| Oklahoma Outrage | OK | 2000 | 2002 | | |
| Orlando Ladyhawks | FL | 1998 | 1998 | | |
| Ottawa Fury FC | ON | 2000 | 2014 | | |
| Piedmont Spark | NC | 1999 | 2008 | Greensboro Twisters (2002–2003) Carolina Dynamo (2004–2006, 2008) | inactive 2007 |
| Pali Blues | CA | 2008 | 2014 | Los Angeles Blues (2014) | merged with Los Angeles Strikers (2014) |
| Philadelphia Frenzy | PA | 1995 | 1997 | Pennsylvania Freedom (1995) | founding team |
| Portland Rain | OR | 2001 | 2001 | | left to Women's Premier Soccer League |
| Quebec City Amiral SC | QC | 2009 | 2015 | Quebec Dynamo ARSQ (2014–2015) | final team; left to United Women's Soccer |
| Raleigh Wings | NC | 1998 | 2000 | | |
| Real Colorado Cougars | CO | 2000 | 2010 | Colorado Gold (2000) Denver Lady Cougars (2001–2005) | |
| Rhode Island Rays | RI | 1995 | 2004 | Rhode Island Lady Stingrays (1996, 2004) Rhode Island Stingrays (1995) | founding team; left to Women's Premier Soccer League |
| Richmond Kickers Destiny | VA | 2004 | 2009 | | |
| Rochester Ravens | NY | 1996 | 2012 | | |
| Rockford Dactyls | IL | 1995 | 2000 | | founding team |
| Sacramento Storm | CA | 1995 | 1997 | California Storm (1997) | founding team; left to Women's Premier Soccer League |
| San Diego Gauchos Women | CA | 2005 | 2007 | San Diego Sunwaves (2007) | |
| San Diego Top Guns | CA | 1995 | 1995 | | founding team |
| San Francisco Nighthawks | CA | 1995 | 1997 | San Francisco Vikings (1995) | founding team; left to Women's Premier Soccer League |
| Santa Clarita Blue Heat | CA | 2008 | 2015 | Ventura County Fusion (2008–2009) | final team; left to United Women's Soccer |
| Seattle Sounders Women | WA | 2001 | 2015 | | final team; left to Women's Premier Soccer League |
| Silicon Valley Red Devils | CA | 1996 | 1997 | | left to Women's Premier Soccer League |
| South Jersey Banshees | NJ | 2001 | 2006 | | |
| Southern California Nitemares | CA | 1995 | 1996 | | founding team |
| Springfield Sirens | MA | 1999 | 2001 | | left to Women's Premier Soccer League |
| St. Louis Archers | MO | 2004 | 2004 | | left to Women's Premier Soccer League |
| Sudbury Canadians | ON | 2004 | 2006 | | |
| Tampa Bay Hellenic | FL | 2008 | 2010 | | left to Women's Premier Soccer League; merged with VSI Tampa Bay FC (2013) |
| Tampa Bay Xtreme | FL | 1997 | 2002 | | |
| Texas Odyssey | TX | 2001 | 2001 | | |
| Toronto Inferno | ON | 1999 | 2004 | | |
| Toronto Lady Lynx | ON | 2005 | 2014 | | |
| Tulsa Roughnecks | OK | 1995 | 1995 | | founding team |
| Vancouver Whitecaps Women | BC | 2001 | 2012 | Vancouver Breakers (2001-2002) | |
| Vermont Lady Voltage | VT | 2005 | 2008 | | |
| Victoria Highlanders Women | BC | 2011 | 2012 | | |
| VSI Tampa Bay FC | FL | 2012 | 2013 | VSI Tampa Flames (2012) | merged with Tampa Bay Hellenic (2013) |
| Washington Freedom | DC | 2006 | 2008 | | left to Women's Professional Soccer, spun off Washington Freedom Futures |
| Washington Freedom Futures | DC | 2009 | 2010 | Washington Freedom Reserves (2009) | |
| Washington Spirit Reserves | DC | 2013 | 2015 | | final team; left to Women's Premier Soccer League |
| Western Mass Lady Pioneers | MA | 2004 | 2009 | | |
| West Virginia Illusion | WV | 2008 | 2008 | | |
| Wichita Lady Blues | KS | 1995 | 1995 | | founding team |
| Windy City Bluez | IL | 2001 | 2004 | | |
W-League member(alt.name/merger†)  WUSA / WPS / NWSL  WPSL-WLS-UWS  inactive / exhibition / other  (*) indicates championship

## 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