W-League
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| USL W-League |
|---|
 2008 W-League Season |
 |
| Founded |
| 1995 |
| Nations |
 United States  Canada |
| Higher Division |
| none |
| Lower Division |
| Women's Premier Soccer League |
| Number of Teams |
| 41 |
| Current Champions |
| Washington Freedom |
| Website |
| Official site |
The USL W-League is currently the highest level of professional women's soccer in the United States pyramid, and will continue to be so until the launch of the WPS (Women's Professional Soccer) in 2009.
The W-League currently provides the most complete women’s player pool in the world, and is recognized as North America’s best 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 First Division, USL Second Division and USL Premier Development League.
Contents |
[edit] 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 Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA). The W-League returned to a single tier format in the 2002 season, and remains as such.
[edit] 2008 Teams
[edit] Eastern Conference
[edit] Northeast Division
- Boston Renegades
MA - Connecticut Passion
CT - Fredericksburg Lady Gunners
VA - Jersey Sky Blue
NJ - Long Island Rough Riders
NY - New Jersey Wildcats NJ
- New York Magic NY
- Northern Virginia Majestics VA
- Washington Freedom
DC
[edit] Atlantic Division
- Atlanta Silverbacks Women
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GA - Bradenton Athletics
FL - Carolina Dynamo
NC - Carolina RailHawks NC
- Charlotte Lady Eagles NC
- Hampton Roads Piranhas VA
- Richmond Kickers Destiny VA
- Tampa Bay Hellenic FL
- West Virginia Illusion
WV
[edit] Central Conference
[edit] Midwest Division
- Chicago Gaels
IL - Cleveland Internationals Women
OH - FC Indiana
IN - Fort Wayne Fever IN
- Kalamazoo Outrage
MI - Michigan Hawks MI
- Minnesota Lightning
MN - West Michigan Firewomen MI
[edit] Northern Division
- Hamilton Avalanche
ON - Laval Comets
QC - London Gryphons ON
- Ottawa Fury Women ON
- Rochester Rhinos Women NY
- Toronto Lady Lynx ON
- Vermont Lady Voltage
VT - Western Mass Lady Pioneers MA
[edit] Western Conference
- Fort Collins Force
CO - Los Angeles Legends
CA - Pali Blues CA
- Real Colorado Cougars CO
- Seattle Sounders Women
WA - Vancouver Whitecaps Women
BC - Ventura County Fusion CA
[edit] Former Members
- Cincinnati Ladyhawks
- Cocoa Expos
- Indiana Blaze
- Mile High Edge
- San Diego Sunwaves
- St. Louis Archers
- Sudbury Canadians
- Suffern Wildcats
[edit] Past Champions
For 1998 through 2001 the W-League was divided into two divisions: W-1 (the top division) W-2 (the lower division).
- 2007 Washington Freedom 3-1 Atlanta Silverbacks Women
- 2006 Vancouver Whitecaps Women 3-0 Ottawa Fury
- 2005 New Jersey Wildcats 3-0 Ottawa Fury
- 2004 Vancouver Whitecaps Women 0-0 New Jersey Wildcats (Vancouver wins on penalty kicks 4-2)
- 2003 Hampton Roads Piranhas 1-0 Chicago Cobras
- 2002 Boston Renegades 3-0 Charlotte Lady Eagles
- 2001
- W-1: Boston Renegades 5-1 Vancouver Whitecaps Women
- W-2: Charlotte Lady Eagles 3-1 Memphis
- 2000
- W-1: Chicago Cobras 1-1 Raleigh Wings (Chicago wins on penalty kicks 4-2)
- W-2: Springfield Sirens 2-1 Charlotte Lady Eagles
- 1999
- W-1: Raleigh Wings 3 -2 Chicago Cobras (OT)
- W-2: North Texas 5-1 Springfield Sirens
- 1998
- W-1: Raleigh Wings 4-3 Boston Renegades
- W-2: Ft. Collins Force 3-1 Hampton Roads Piranhas
- 1997 Long Island Lady Riders 2-1 Chicago Cobras (OT)
- 1996 Maryland Pride 3-0 Dallas Lightning
- 1995 Long Island Lady Riders 3-0 Southern California Nitemares
