# USL W League

The USL W League (USLW) is a women's soccer league in the United States. It began play in May 2022 and follows the USL W-League, a similar league that existed from 1995 to 2015. It is currently not sanctioned by the US Soccer Federation, meaning that it does not have a position in the US soccer pyramid.

## History

The league was originally announced in 2021 by the United Soccer League with eight clubs, six of which would be women's sides for existing men's USL teams, and two of which would be entirely new franchises. At launch, the USL said the inaugural season would include at least 30 teams. The inaugural season began on May 6, 2022 with 44 teams across 20 states. By the 2023 season the league had grown to 65 teams. The growth of the league resulted in the development of a four-conference system, which is broken down into 10 divisions. Each team plays its divisional opponents to qualify for regional play-offs.

## Teams
### Current teams

Overview of USL W League teams :
| Conference | Division | Team | City | Stadium | Capacity | Founded | Joining | Head coach | Affiliate team |
| Eastern Conference | Chesapeake Division | Annapolis Blues FC | Annapolis, Maryland | Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium | 34,000 | 2024 | 2025 | TBD | Annapolis Blues FC (NPSL) |
| Eastern Conference | Chesapeake Division | Charlottesville Blues FC | Charlottesville, Virginia | TBD | | 2023 | 2024 | TBD | Charlottesville Blues FC (USL2) |
| Eastern Conference | Chesapeake Division | Richmond Ivy SC | Richmond, Virginia | City Stadium | 6,000 | 2023 | 2024 | Kimmy Cummings | Richmond Kickers (USL1) |
| Eastern Conference | Chesapeake Division | USL Norfolk | Norfolk, Virginia | | | | 2025 | | |
| Eastern Conference | Chesapeake Division | Virginia Beach United FC | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Virginia Beach Sportsplex | 6,000 | 2019 | 2025 | TBD | Virginia Beach United FC (USL2) |
| Eastern Conference | Metropolitan Division | AC Connecticut women | Newtown, Connecticut | Trinity Health Stadium | 5,500 | 2011 | 2022 | vacant | AC Connecticut (USL 2) Hartford Athletic (USL Championship) |
| Eastern Conference | Metropolitan Division | Cedar Stars Academy women | Teaneck, New Jersey | Capelli Sport Complex | 500 | 2021 | 2022 | vacant | Cedar Stars Rush (USL 2) |
| Eastern Conference | Metropolitan Division | Hudson Valley Crusaders | Newburgh, New York | TBD | | 2021 | 2025 | TBD | |
| Eastern Conference | Metropolitan Division | Long Island Rough Riders women | Uniondale, New York | Mitchel Athletic Complex | 1,000 | 1995 | 2022 | Matt Lannon | Long Island Rough Riders (USL 2) |
| Eastern Conference | Metropolitan Division | Manhattan SC women | New York, New York | Icahn Stadium | 5,000 | 2021 | 2022 | vacant | Manhattan SC (USL 2) |
| Eastern Conference | Metropolitan Division | Morris Elite SC women | Union, New Jersey | Union High School | unknown | 2021 | 2022 | Stephanie Savino | Morris Elite SC (USL 2) |
| Eastern Conference | Metropolitan Division | New Jersey Copa FC | Metuchen, New Jersey | St. Joseph High School | | 2004 | 2025 | TBD | New Jersey Copa FC (USL League Two) |
| Eastern Conference | Metropolitan Division | Paisley Athletic FC | Kearny, New Jersey | Harvey Field Complex | | 2021 | 2023 | vacant | |
| Eastern Conference | Mid Atlantic Division | Eagle FC women | Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania | Mountain View High School | | 1976 | 2022 | vacant | Eagle FC |
| Eastern Conference | Mid Atlantic Division | Lancaster Inferno FC | Lancaster, Pennsylvania | Pucillo Field | 700 | 2008 | 2024 | Stephanie Cleaves | |
| Eastern Conference | Mid Atlantic Division | Northern Virginia FC women | Leesburg, Virginia | Evergreen Sportsplex | 1,500 | 2021 | 2022 | Vacant | Northern Virginia FC (USL 2) |
| Eastern Conference | Mid Atlantic Division | Patuxent Football Athletics women | Patuxent, Maryland | Calverton School | | 2018 | 2022 | vacant | Patuxent Football Athletics (USL 2) |
| Eastern Conference | Mid Atlantic Division | Virginia Marauders FC women | Winchester, Virginia | Winchester Sportsplex | | 2023 | 2023 | Jane Dawber | Virginia Marauders FC (USL 2) |
| Eastern Conference | South Atlantic Division | Carolina Ascent FC (W League) | Charlotte, North Carolina | American Legion Memorial Stadium | 10,500 | 2023 | 2024 | TBD | Carolina Ascent FC (USL Super League) |
| Eastern Conference | South Atlantic Division | Charlotte Eagles women | Charlotte, North Carolina | Matthews Sportsplex | 5,000 | 2000 | 2024 | vacant | Charlotte Eagles (USL 2) |
| Eastern Conference | South Atlantic Division | North Carolina Courage U23 | Cary, North Carolina | WakeMed Soccer Park | | 2022 | 2022 | vacant | North Carolina Courage (NWSL) |
| Eastern Conference | South Atlantic Division | North Carolina Fusion U23 women | Browns Summit, North Carolina | Macpherson Stadium | 3,000 | 2018 | 2022 | vacant | Salem City FC (USL 2) |
| Eastern Conference | South Atlantic Division | South Carolina United Bantams women | Columbia, South Carolina | Southeastern Freight Lines Soccer Center | 2,000 | 2012 | 2022 | Sandy Burris | South Carolina United Bantams (USL 2) |
| Eastern Conference | South Atlantic Division | South Georgia Tormenta FC | Statesboro, Georgia | Optim Sports Medicine Field | 5,300 | 2021 | 2022 | Jim Robbins | Tormenta FC (USL 1) |
| Eastern Conference | South Atlantic Division | Wake FC women | Holly Springs, North Carolina | Ting Stadium | 1,800 | 2021 | 2022 | vacant | Wake FC (USL 2) |
| Central Conference | Great Forest Division | FC Buffalo | Buffalo, New York | All-High Stadium | 5000 | 2021 | 2025 | Nikki Bartholomew | FC Buffalo (USL2) |
| Central Conference | Great Forest Division | Cleveland Force SC women | Cleveland, Ohio | DiSanto Field | 2,400 | 2018 | 2023 | vacant | Cleveland Force SC (USL 2) |
| Central Conference | Great Forest Division | Erie Sport Center | Erie, Pennsylvania | Erie Sports Center | | 2025 | 2025 | TBD | Erie (USL2) |
| Central Conference | Great Forest Division | Flower City 1872 | Rochester, New York | Rochester Community Sports Complex Stadium | 13,768 | 2023 | 2025 | Antonio La Gamba | Flower City Union (NPSL) |
| Central Conference | Great Forest Division | Pittsburgh Riveters SC | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Highmark Stadium | 5,000 | 2024 | 2025 | | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL Championship) |
| Central Conference | Great Forest Division | Steel City FC | Cheswick, Pennsylvania | Founders Field | | 2014 | 2025 | Tom 'Tommo' Ovenden | Steel City FC (USL2) |
| Central Conference | Great Lakes Division | AFC Ann Arbor women | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Hollway Field | 1,300 | 2014 | 2022 | vacant | AFC Ann Arbor (USL 2) |
| Central Conference | Great Lakes Division | Detroit City FC women | Hamtramck, Michigan | Keyworth Stadium | 7,933 | 2012 | 2022 | Sam Piraine | Detroit City FC (USL Championship) |
| Central Conference | Great Lakes Division | Kalamazoo FC women | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Mayors Riverfront Park | | 2016 | 2022 | vacant | Kalamazoo FC (USL 2) |
| Central Conference | Great Lakes Division | Midwest United FC women | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Aquinas College | 1,500 | 2016 | 2022 | vacant | Midwest United FC (USL 2) |
| Central Conference | Great Lakes Division | Toledo Villa FC | Toledo, Ohio | Paul Hotmer Field | | 2024 | 2025 | TBD | Toledo Villa FC (USL2) |
| Central Conference | Great Lakes Division | Union FC Macomb | Utica, Michigan | TBD | | 2024 | 2025 | TBD | Union FC Macomb (USL2) |
| Central Conference | Heartland Division | Chicago Dutch Lions FC women | Lisle, Illinois | Benedictine University Stadium | 3,000 | 2020 | 2022 | vacant | Chicago Dutch Lions FC (USL 2) |
| Central Conference | Heartland Division | Minnesota Aurora FC | Eagan, Minnesota | TCO Stadium | 5,600 | 2021 | 2022 | vacant | |
| Central Conference | Heartland Division | River Light FC women | Aurora, Illinois | TBD | | 2020 | 2024 | TBD | River Light FC (USL 2) |
| Central Conference | Heartland Division | RKC Third Coast women | Racine, Wisconsin | Pritchard Park Multi-Purpose Field | 1,534 | 2023 | 2023 | John Burke | RKC Third Coast (USL 2) |
| Central Conference | Heartland Division | Rochester FC women | Rochester, Minnesota | Rochester Regional Stadium | 5,000 | 2018 | 2023 | vacant | Rochester FC (USL 2) |
| Central Conference | Heartland Division | Sioux Falls City FC | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | Bob Young Field | 5,000 | 2022 | 2025 | TBD | |
| Central Conference | Valley Division | Dayton Dutch Lions FC | Dayton, Ohio | DOC Stadium | 3,500 | 2009 | 2025 | TBD | Dayton Dutch Lions FC (USL2) |
| Central Conference | Valley Division | Indy Eleven women | Indianapolis, Indiana | Grand Park | 1,000 | 2021 | 2022 | Paul Dolinsky | Indy Eleven (USL Championship) |
| Central Conference | Valley Division | Lexington SC women | Lexington, Kentucky | Bell Soccer Complex | 3,370 | 2022 | 2023 | vacant | Lexington SC (USL Championship) |
| Central Conference | Valley Division | Kings Hammer FC women | Cincinnati, Ohio | Bishop Brossart High School | | 2021 | 2022 | vacant | Kings Hammer FC (USL 2) |
| Central Conference | Valley Division | Racing Louisville FC Academy | Louisville, Kentucky | Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center | | 2020 | 2022 | vacant | Racing Louisville FC (NWSL) |
| Southern Conference | Lone Star Division | AHFC Royals women | Houston, Texas | Campbell Road Sports Park | | 2017 | 2024 | vacant | AHFC Royals (USL2) |
| Southern Conference | Lone Star Division | Challenge SC women | Tomball, Texas | TBD | | 1987 | 2024 | vacant | |
| Southern Conference | Lone Star Division | Lonestar SC women | Austin, Texas | TBD | | 2004 | 2024 | vacant | Lonestar SC (USL2) |
| Southern Conference | Lone Star Division | Lonestar San Antonio | San Antonio, Texas | TBD | | 2025 | 2025 | TBD | Lonestar SC (USL2) |
| Southern Conference | Lone Star Division | San Antonio Athenians SC | San Antonio, Texas | Soccer Central | | 2016 | 2024 | vacant | |
| Southern Conference | South Central Division | Asheville City SC women | Asheville, North Carolina | Greenwood Field | 3,000 | 2021 | 2022 | vacant | Asheville City SC (USL 2) |
| Southern Conference | South Central Division | Birmingham Legion WFC | Birmingham, Alabama | Dunnavant Valley Fields – Field Four | | 2023 | 2023 | vacant | Birmingham Legion FC (USL Championship) |
| Southern Conference | South Central Division | Chattanooga Red Wolves SC women | Chattanooga, Tennessee | CHI Memorial Stadium | 5,500 | 2019 | 2022 | Luke Winter | Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL 1) |
| Southern Conference | South Central Division | Greenville Liberty SC | Greenville, South Carolina | Paladin Stadium | 10,000 | 2021 | 2022 | Julie Carlson | Greenville Triumph SC (USL 1) |
| Southern Conference | South Central Division | Southern Soccer Academy women | Marietta, Georgia | Marathon Soccer Park | 1,000 | 2021 | 2022 | vacant | Southern Soccer Academy (USL 2) |
| Southern Conference | South Central Division | Tennessee SC women | Brentwood, Tennessee | Ravenwood High School | | 2012 | 2022 | Dalton Kaufman | Tennessee SC (USL 2) |
| Southern Conference | South Central Division | One Knoxville SC women | Knoxville, Tennessee | Covenant Health Park | 7,000 | | 2025 | | One Knoxville SC (USL 1) |
| Southern Conference | Southeast Division | Brevard SC Riptide | Melbourne, Florida | Melbourne Central Catholic High School | | 2023 | 2024 | Christofer Felber | Brevard SC (USL2) |
| Southern Conference | Southeast Division | Brooke House FC | Maitland, Florida | TBD | | 2022 | 2024 | Lawrie Dudfield | Brooke House FC (USL2) |
| Southern Conference | Southeast Division | FC Miami City | Miami, Florida | | | | 2025 | | FC Miami City (USL2) |
| Southern Conference | Southeast Division | Fort Lauderdale United FC | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Beyond Bancard Field at NSU Florida | | 2023 | 2025 | TBD | Fort Lauderdale United FC (USL Super League) |
| Southern Conference | Southeast Division | Kings Hammer FC Sun City | Sun City, Florida | | | | 2025 | TBD | Kings Hammer FC Sun City (USL2) |
| Southern Conference | Southeast Division | Miami AC women | Miami, Florida | Miami Dade College | | 2021 | 2022 | vacant | Miami AC |
| Southern Conference | Southeast Division | Sporting JAX | Jacksonville, Florida | | | | 2025 | | Sporting JAX (USL2) |
| Southern Conference | Southeast Division | TLH Reckoning | Tallahassee, Florida | Gene Cox Stadium | 5,500 | 2023 | 2024 | TBD | None |
| Western Conference | Mountain Division | Albion SC Colorado | Lafayette, Colorado | TBD | | 2021 | 2024 | vacant | Albion SC Boulder County (USL2) |
| Western Conference | Mountain Division | Colorado International Soccer Academy | Parker, Colorado | TBD | | 2012 | 2024 | vacant | Colorado International Soccer Academy (USL2) |
| Western Conference | Mountain Division | Colorado Storm | Denver, Colorado | | | 1967 | 2024 | TBD | |
| Western Conference | Mountain Division | Flatirons Rush | Arvada, Colorado | TBD | | 2019 | 2024 | vacant | Flatirons Rush (USL2) |
| Western Conference | Mountain Division | Utah United | Orem, Utah | Clyde Field | | 2022 | 2025 | TBD | Utah United (USL2) |
| Western Conference | Nor Cal Division | Academica SC women | Turlock, California | Academica Field | 600 | 2022 | 2023 | vacant | Academica SC (USL2) |
| Western Conference | Nor Cal Division | California Storm (W League) | Sacramento, California | Davis Legacy Soccer Club | TBA | 2022 | 2023 | vacant | California Storm (WPSL) |
| Western Conference | Nor Cal Division | Marin FC Siren | Greenbrae, California | San Rafael High School | TBA | 2022 | 2023 | vacant | Marin FC (USL2) |
| Western Conference | Nor Cal Division | Oakland Soul SC | Oakland, California | Oakland Coliseum | 15,000 | 2022 | 2023 | Jessica Clinton | Oakland Roots SC (USL Championship) |
| Western Conference | Nor Cal Division | Olympic Club SC women | San Francisco, California | | | 2022 | 2023 | vacant | Olympic Club |
| Western Conference | Nor Cal Division | Pleasanton RAGE | Pleasanton, California | Stanford Medicine Sports Complex | TBA | 2022 | 2023 | vacant | |
| Western Conference | Nor Cal Division | San Francisco Glens women | San Francisco, California | Skyline College | 1,000 | 2022 | 2023 | Mike Sharabi | San Francisco Glens (USL2) |
| Western Conference | Nor Cal Division | San Juan SC | Rancho Cordova, California | TBD | | 1978 | 2025 | TBD | San Juan SC (USL League Two) |
| Western Conference | Nor Cal Division | Stockton Cargo SC | Stockton, California | San Joaquin Delta College Soccer Field | TBA | 2021 | 2023 | vacant | |
| Western Conference | Northwest Division | Bigfoot FC | Maple Valley, Washington | TBD | | 2024 | 2025 | TBD | Bigfoot FC (USL League Two) |
| Western Conference | Northwest Division | Lane United FC women | Eugene, Oregon | New Civic Stadium | 2,500 | 2013 | 2023 | vacant | Lane United FC (USL2) |
| Western Conference | Northwest Division | FC Olympia women | Olympia, Washington | A G West Black Hills High School | 1,000 | 2021 | 2023 | vacant | FC Olympia (USL2) |
| Western Conference | Northwest Division | Salmon Bay FC | Seattle, Washington | Interbay Stadium | | 2024 | 2025 | | Ballard FC (USL2) |
| Western Conference | Northwest Division | Tacoma Galaxy | Tacoma, Washington | Bellarmine Preparatory School | | 2024 | 2024 | TBD | Tacoma Stars (USL2) |
| Western Conference | Northwest Division | West Seattle Rhodies FC | Seattle, Washington | Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex | | 2024 | 2025 | | West Seattle Junction FC (USL2) |
| Western Conference | SoCal Division | AMSG FC | Huntington Beach, California | Boswell Stadium | | 2021 | 2025 | TBD | AMSG FC (USL2) |
| Western Conference | SoCal Division | Capo FC | San Juan Capistrano, California | JSerra Catholic High School | | | 2025 | TBD | Capo FC (USL2) |
| Western Conference | SoCal Division | Santa Clarita Blue Heat | Santa Clarita, California | Cougar Stadium | | 2010 | 2025 | Carlos Marroquin | |
| Western Conference | SoCal Division | Southern California Dutch Lions FC | Carlsbad, California | La Costa Canyon High School | | 2021 | 2025 | TBD | |

### Future clubs

| Team | City | Stadium | Founded | Joining | Head coach | Affiliate |
| NONA FC | Orlando, Florida | TBD | 2024 | 2025 | | NONA FC (USL League Two) |

### Former teams

| Team | City | Stadium | Capacity | Founded | Joining | Last season | Affiliate | Fate |
| AC Houston Sur women | Houston, Texas | The Village School | | 2021 | 2024 | 2024 | AC Houston Sur (USL2) | |
| Athens FC | Athens, Georgia | TBD | | 1972 | 2024 | 2024 | Athens FC (USL2) | |
| Bavarian United SC women | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Heartland Value Fund Stadium | 2,000 | 2011 | 2023 | 2024 | Bavarian United SC (USL 2) | WPSL |
| Capital FC Atletica | Salem, Oregon | John Chambers Field | 500 | 2017 | 2023 | 2024 | Capital FC | |
| Chicago City SC women | Chicago, Illinois | ITW David Speer Academy | | 2013 | 2022 | 2024 | Chicago City SC (USL 2) | |
| Christos FC women | Baltimore, Maryland | Moose Athletic Club | | 1997 | 2022 | 2024 | Christos FC (USL 2) | |
| Fayetteville Fury | Fayetteville, North Carolina | TBD | | 2021 | 2024 | 2024 | Fayetteville Fury (NISL) | |
| Flint City AFC | Flint, Michigan | Atwood Stadium | 11,000 | 2022 | 2022 | 2024 | Flint City Bucks (USL 2) | |
| Florida Elite Soccer Academy women | St. Johns, Florida | Mandarin High School Stadium | 1,000 | 2014 | 2022 | 2024 | Florida Elite Soccer Academy | |
| Michiana FC Lionesses | Granger, Indiana | TBD | | 2019 | 2024 | 2024 | Michiana FC Lions (USL 2) | |
| Northern Colorado Rain FC | Windsor, Colorado | TicketSmarter Stadium | 6,000 | 2023 | 2024 | 2024 | Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USL1) | WPSL |
| Palm City Americanas | Palm City, Florida | Football Farm | | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | | |
| St. Charles FC women | St. Charles, Missouri | Lutheran High School | | 2020 | 2023 | 2024 | St. Charles FC (USL 2) | |
| Swan City SC women | Lakeland, Florida | Lake Myrtle Sports Complex | 1,500 | 2016 | 2023 | 2024 | Swan City SC | |
| Tampa Bay United SC women | Tampa, Florida | Tournament Sportsplex of Tampa Bay | 300 | 2011 | 2022 | 2024 | Tampa Bay United SC | |
| United PDX women | Portland, Oregon | Westside Christian High School | | 2018 | 2023 | 2024 | United PDX | |
| Westchester Flames women | New Rochelle, New York | City Park Stadium | 1,845 | 1999 | 2022 | 2024 | Westchester Flames (USL 2) | |

## Champions

Overview of USL W League champions :
| Season | Playoff champions | Regular season champions |
| 2022 | South Georgia Tormenta FC | Minnesota Aurora FC |
| 2023 | Indy Eleven | Minnesota Aurora FC |
| 2024 | North Carolina Courage U23 | Florida Elite Soccer Academy |

### Finals

Overview of USL W League finals :
| Year | Winner | Score | Runner-up | Venue | Attendance |
| 2022 | South Georgia Tormenta FC | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Minnesota Aurora FC | TCO Stadium | 6,489 |
| 2023 | Indy Eleven | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | North Carolina Courage U23 | IU Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium | 5,419 |
| 2024 | North Carolina Courage U23 | 3–2 | Colorado Storm | WRAL Soccer Park | |

## Awards

| Season | MVP | Golden Boot | Golden Glove | Assist Champion | Coach of the Year | Young Player of the Year | Defensive Player of the Year |
| 2022 | Amy Andrews (Tormenta FC) | Amy Andrews (Tormenta FC) | Sydney Martinez (Tormenta FC) | Treva Aycock (Southern Soccer Academy) | Nicole Lukic (Minnesota Aurora FC) | Christian Brathwaite (Greenville Liberty SC) | |
| 2023 | Nádia Gomes (San Francisco Glens SC) | Baylee DeSmit (Christos FC) | Bailey Herfurth (Tampa Bay United) | Katie Shea Collins (Tennessee SC) | Mia Oliaro (North Carolina Courage U23) | Michele Krzisnik (Flint City AFC) | |
| 2024 | Anna Haddock (Tennessee SC) | Luciana Setteducate (Long Island Rough Riders) | Gabrielle Schriver (Detroit City FC) | | Stephanie Cleaves (Lancaster Inferno) | Abby Droner (Paisley Athletic FC) | Georgia Brown (Florida Elite Soccer Academy) |