The USL W League (USLW) is a pre-professional women's soccer league in the United States which began play in May 2022. It follows the USL W-League, a similar league that existed from 1995 to 2015.[1]
 | |
| Organizing body | United Soccer League |
|---|---|
| Founded | June 8, 2021 |
| First season | 2022 |
| Country | United States |
| Confederation | CONCACAF |
| Divisions | 10 divisions |
| Number of teams | 81 |
| Level on pyramid | 4 (effective) |
| Current champion(s) | Indy Eleven (2023) |
| Most championships | Indy Eleven Tormenta FC (1 title) |
| TV partners | SportsEngine Play YouTube |
| Website | www |
| Current: 2024 USL W League season | |
History
editThe league was originally announced 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.[2][3] At launch, the USL said the inaugural season would include at least 30 teams.[4] The inaugural season began on May 6, 2022 with 44 teams across 20 states.[5][6] 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 it divisional opponents to qualify for regional play-offs.[7]
Teams
edit
Location map
edit
Cedar Stars Academy women
Charlottesville Blues FC
Christos FC women
Eagle FC women
Lancaster Inferno
Patuxent Football Athletics women
USL W Richmond
Kalamazoo FC women
Michiana Lions
RKC Third Coast women
River Light FC
Kings Hammer FC women
Racing Louisville FC Academy
Fayetteville Fury
Asheville City SC women
Athens United
Tennessee SC
Brevard SC Riptide
Brooke House FC
Miami AC women
TLH Reckoning
Capital FC Atletica
Tacoma Galaxy
AC Houston Sur Women
AHFC Royals Women
Challenge SC Women
Lonestar SC Women
Athenians SC
Northern Colorado Rain FC
Boulder County United
Colorado International Soccer Academy
Flatirons Rush
USL W League clubs
Metropolitan Division; 
Mid-Atlantic Division; 
Great Lakes Division; 
Heartland Division; 
Valley Division; 
South Atlantic Division; 
South Central Division; 
Southeast Division; 
Northwest Division; 
Nor Cal Division; 
Lone Star Division; 
Mountain Division
Metropolitan Division; 
Mid-Atlantic Division; 
Great Lakes Division; 
Heartland Division; 
Valley Division; 
South Atlantic Division; 
South Central Division; 
Southeast Division; 
Northwest Division; 
Nor Cal Division; 
Lone Star Division; 
Mountain DivisionFuture clubs
edit| Team | City | Stadium | Founded | Joining | Head coach | Affiliate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NONA FC[91] | Orlando, Florida | TBD | 2024 | 2025 | NONA FC (USL League Two) | |
| Pittsburgh Riverhounds[92] | Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania | Highmark Stadium | 2024 | 2025 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL Championship) |
Champions
edit| Season | Playoff champions | Regular season champions |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | South Georgia Tormenta FC[93] | Minnesota Aurora FC |
| 2023 | Indy Eleven[94] | Minnesota Aurora FC |
Finals
edit| Year | Winner | Score | Runner-up | Venue | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | South Georgia Tormenta FC[95] | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Minnesota Aurora FC[96] | TCO Stadium | 6,489[95] |
| 2023 | Indy Eleven[97] | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | North Carolina Courage U23[98] | IU Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium | 5,419 |
Awards
edit| Season | MVP | Golden Boot | Golden Glove | Assist Champion | Coach of the Year | Young Player of the Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 |  Amy Andrews(Tormenta FC)[99] | Amy Andrews (Tormenta FC)[100] |  Sydney Martinez(Tormenta FC)[100] | Treva Aycock (Southern Soccer Academy)[101] | Nicole Lukic (Minnesota Aurora FC)[102] |  Christian Brathwaite(Greenville Liberty SC)[103] |
| 2023 |  Nádia Gomes(San Francisco Glens SC)[104] | Baylee DeSmit (Christos FC)[105] | Bailey Herfurth (Tampa Bay United)[105] | Katie Shea Collins (Tennessee SC)[106] | Mia Oliaro (North Carolina Courage U23)[107] | Michele Krzisnik (Flint City AFC)[107] |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "About the W League". USL W League. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
- ^ a b c d "USL W League Unveils Eight Inaugucral Member Clubs". www.uslwleague.com. June 8, 2022. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
- ^ "Teams". USL W League. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
- ^ "USL announces return of the W League from 2022". June 15, 2021.
- ^ "USL W League kicks off 254-match regular season on May 6 in Indianapolis". www.uslwleague.com. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- ^ "About". www.USLWLeague.com. USL W-League. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
- ^ "USL W League announces 2023 Divisional Alignment". www.USLWLeague.com. USL W-League. February 14, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
- ^ "United Soccer League Welcomes AC Connecticut to the W League". USL W League. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
- ^ "Cedar Stars to Compete in Inaugural USL W League Season". USL W League. January 10, 2022.
- ^ "Long Island Rough Riders Join USL W League". USL W League. January 31, 2022.
- ^ Lewis, Michael (January 12, 2023). "Matt Lannon Re-Signs as USL W League Head Coach". LIRoughRiders.com. Long Island Rough Riders. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
- ^ "USL W League Announces Manhattan SC as the Newest Members of the League". USL W League. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
- ^ USL W League Staff. "Morris Elite SC Set to Join USL W League Ahead of 2022 Season". USL W League. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ "Morris Elite SC hires first head coach in new USL W League". morriselitesoccer.com. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
- ^ "USL W League welcomes Paisley Athletic FC as expansion side for 2023". USL Communications staff. January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
- ^ "Westchester Flames to Compete in Inaugural USL W League Season". USL W League. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
- ^ "Charlottesville Blues FC to join USL League Two and USL W League in 2024". USL W League. September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
- ^ "Christos FC Set to Join USL W League for 2022 Season". USL W League. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
- ^ "USL W League Welcomes Eagle F.C. as Newest Club". USL W League. January 19, 2022.
- ^ "USL W League welcomes Lancaster Inferno as expansion side for 2024". USL W League. December 15, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ "NOVAFC – About!". NOVAFC. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
- ^ "Patuxent Football Athletics to Join USL W League and USL League Two for 2022 Season". USL W League. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
- ^ Hayes, Richard (March 14, 2024). "Kickers Unveil New Pre-professional Women's Team the Richmond Ivy". RVAHub. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
- ^ "Virginia Marauders FC joining USL League Two and W League in 2023". USL Communications staff. January 17, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
- ^ "USL W League welcomes Charlotte Eagles as expansion club in 2024". USL W League. February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
- ^ "Fayetteville Fury Women's Soccer Team joins USL W League". USL W League. November 1, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
- ^ "USL Welcomes NC Courage U23's to W League". USL W League. January 27, 2022.
- ^ USL W League Staff. "United Soccer League Welcomes North Carolina Fusion to the W League". USL W League. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
- ^ "South Carolina United FC to Join USL W League Ahead of the 2022 Season". www.USLWLeague.com. USL W-League. September 30, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
- ^ "Welcome Coach Sandy‼️". Twitter.com. @scunitedbantams. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
- ^ "Jim Robbins Named Head Coach of Tormenta FCs USL W League Team". www.TormentaFC.com. South Georgia Tormenta. June 24, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
- ^ "USL W League Welcomes Richmond As Expansion Side For 2024". Richmond Kickers. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
- ^ USL W League Staff. "Wake FC Announced as Newest Club to Join USL W League". USL W League. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
- ^ USL W League Staff. "AFC Ann Arbor Joins USL W League and USL League Two for the 2022 Season". USL W League. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ "Cleveland Force SC joins USL W League for the 2023 season". USL Communications staff. October 13, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
- ^ a b "United Soccer League Welcomes Detroit City FC to USL W League" (Press release). USL W League. December 1, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
- ^ "Flint City AFC to Join USL W League for the 2022 Season". www.USLWLeague.com. USL W–League. January 5, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
- ^ Savage, Brendan (January 5, 2022). "Owners of new women's soccer team see it filling void on Flint-area sports scene". MLive Media Group. Michigan. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
- ^ "United Soccer League Welcomes Kalamazoo FC to the USL W League". USL W League. January 6, 2022.
- ^ "USL W League welcomes Michiana Lions as expansion club for 2024 season". USL W League. January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ "Midwest United FC to Compete in Inaugural USL W League Season". USL W League. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
- ^ "Bavarian United SC set to join USL League Two and USL W League". USL Communications staff. February 7, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ^ USL W League Staff. "United Soccer League Welcomes North Carolina Fusion to the W League". USL W League. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ "Chicago Dutch Lions FC to Join USL W League and USL League Two for 2022 Season". USL League Two. December 2, 2021.
- ^ "Minnesota Women's Soccer reveals new team name, Minnesota Aurora FC". USL W League. KARE11. January 27, 2022. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
- ^ "River Light FC to join USL League Two and USL W League in 2024". USL W League. October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
- ^ "RKC Soccer Club to join USL League Two and USL W League". USL Communications staff. February 8, 2023. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ^ "RKC Soccer Club Appoints Women's Coach". www.RKS-SoccerClub.com. RKC Soccer Club. February 9, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
- ^ "Rochester FC joins W League and USL League Two as expansion side". USL Communications staff. July 29, 2022. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
- ^ USL W League Staff (September 24, 2021). "Indy Eleven Announced as Newest Member of USL W League". USL W League. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
- ^ Indy Eleven Staff. "Indy Eleven Announces Coaching Hires for Women's Senior Team Hitting the Field in 2022". Indy Eleven. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
- ^ "USL W League welcomes Lexington Sporting Club as expansion side for 2023". USLWLeague.com Staff. October 27, 2022. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
- ^ "Kings Hammer FC Announced as Newest Member of USL W League". USL W League. December 23, 2021.
- ^ "Racing Louisville FC joins USL W League". USL W League. January 18, 2022.
- ^ USLWLeague.com Staff (June 14, 2022). "St. Charles FC joining USL League Two and W League". USWLeague.com. USWLeague.com. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
- ^ "Asheville City SC Joins USL W League". Asheville City SC. August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ^ "USL League Two and W League to add Athens United in 2024". February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
- ^ "Birmingham Legion announced as latest expansion side to compete in 2023 season". USL Communications staff. February 9, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
- ^ Henley, Gene (May 29, 2021). "Lady Red Wolves coach Luke Winter, former Chattanooga FC star, excited about new role". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
- ^ Mirah, Stephanie (December 9, 2021). "Meet Julie Carlson, new head coach for Greenville Triumph's USL women's team". The Post and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
- ^ "Southern Soccer Academy Becomes Newest Club to Join USL W League". USL W League. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
- ^ "Tennessee Soccer Club joins USL's League Two and W League in 2022 Season". USL W League. December 14, 2021.
- ^ "Coaching Staff". www.TSCUSL.com. Tennessee Soccer Club USL. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
- ^ "Brevard Riptide SC announced as latest 2024 W League expansion side". USL W League. September 7, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
- ^ "Brooke House FC to join USL League Two and W League in 2024". USL League 2. November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ USL W League Staff. "Florida Elite Soccer Academy to Compete in Inaugural W League Season". USL W League. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
- ^ "Miami AC Expands Its Programming to the USL W League and USL League Two". USL W League. December 22, 2021.
- ^ "USL W League welcomes Palm City Americanas as expansion side for 2023". USL Communications staff. December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
- ^ "Swan City SC joining USL League Two and W League in 2023". USL Communications staff. February 7, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ^ USL W League Staff. "Tampa Bay United to Join USL W League for the 2022 Season". USL W League. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
- ^ "About Us". TampaSporsPlex.com. Tampa Sports Plex. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
- ^ "Tallahassee Reckoning announced as newest USL W League expansion side". USLWLeague.com Staff. June 21, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "USL W League unveils Lone Star Division; includes four new expansion clubs set to compete in 2024". USL W League. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
- ^ "USL W League welcomes San Antonio Athenians SC as expansion side for 2024". USLWLeague.com. USL W-League. December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ a b c "USL W League solidifies westward expansion with creation of Northwest Division". USL W League. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
- ^ "USL W League welcomes Tacoma Galaxy for 2024 season". USL W League. February 2, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
- ^ "United PDX to join League Two and W League in 2023". USL W League. December 14, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
- ^ "United PDX on Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "USL W League unveils NorCal Division; includes six new expansion clubs to compete in 2023 season". USL W League. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
- ^ "Academica SC Joins USL". Academica Soccer Club. December 1, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
- ^ "California Storm Announces USL W League Expansion Team". California Storm. December 1, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
- ^ USLWLeague.com Staff (May 24, 2022). "USL W League Welcomes Oakland Soul as 2023 Expansion Team". USWLeague.com. USWLeague.com. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
- ^ "SF Glens To Join USL W League For 2023 Season". SFGlens.com. San Francisco Glens. December 1, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
- ^ "SF Glens announce inaugural USL W League coaching staff". www.SFGlens.com. San Francisco Glens. February 8, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
- ^ Belt, Shannon Mia (April 25, 2022). "A league of their own: SC Stockton becomes first West Coast team in United Soccer's Women's League". news.yahoo.com. Yahoo.com. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ^ "USL W League 2023 Expansion Side Stockton Cargo Soccer Club unveil identity and crest". USLWLeague.com Staff. August 12, 2022. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
- ^ a b c "USL W League unveils Mountain Division". www.USLWLeague.com. USL W-League. December 6, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ "Colorado Storm to join USL W League in 2024 season". USL W League. February 14, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
- ^ Lytle, Kevin (July 20, 2023). "Professional women's soccer team planned for Future Legends Complex in Northern Colorado". The Coloradoan. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
- ^ Abshire, Chris (October 8, 2023). "Northern Colorado's new women's pro soccer team has its own unique name". The Coloradoan. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- ^ "Nona FC to join USL W League in 2025". USLWLeague.com Staff. March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- ^ "USL W League welcomes Pittsburgh as expansion team for 2025". USLWLeague.com. USL W League. April 27, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ "Tormenta FC win USL W League championship". statesboroherald.com. Statesboro Herald. July 24, 2022.
- ^ "Indy Eleven claims 2023 W League title in extra time against NC Courage U23". www.USLWLeague.com. USL W League. July 22, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ a b "History made as South Georgia Tormenta FC wins inaugural W League Final". www.USLWLeague.com. USL W-League. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ La Vaque, David (July 23, 2022). "Aurora's dream season ends with 2-1 extra time loss to South Georgia in USL W title match". Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
- ^ "Indy Eleven W League rallies around injured teammate, wins championship on wonder-goal". The Indianapolis Star. July 22, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ "Courage U23s fall in USL W Final". www.NCCourage.com. North Carolina Courage U-23. July 22, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ "South Georgia Tormenta FC's Amy Andrews voted 2022 USL W League Player of the Year". USL W League. July 22, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
- ^ a b "Tormenta FC's Andrews and Martinez win Golden Boot and Golden Glove in inaugural season". USL W League. July 18, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
- ^ "Southern Soccer Academy's Treva Aycock announced as regular season Assists Champion". USL W League. July 19, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
- ^ "Minnesota Aurora FC's Nicole Lukic named USL W League Coach of the Year after a compelling 2022 regular season campaign". USL W League. July 19, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
- ^ "Greenville Liberty's Christian Brathwaite named 2022 W League Young Player of the Year". USL W League. July 20, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
- ^ "San Francisco Glens' Nádia Gomes Named USL W League Player of the Year". USL W League. August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
- ^ a b "Christos FC's Desmit wins Golden Boot, TBU's Herfurth earns Golden Glove". USL W League. July 17, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ "Minnesota's Tianna Harris awarded Defender of the Year, Tennessee's Katie Shea Collins earns Assists Champion". USL W League. July 18, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
- ^ a b "Mia Oliaro named Young player of the Year, Flint City's Michele Krzisnik named Coach of the Year". USL W League. July 19, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
External links
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