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.[1] It is currently not sanctioned by the US Soccer Federation, meaning it doesn't 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.[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 its divisional opponents to qualify for regional play-offs.[7]
Teams
Current Teams
Location map
Charlottesville Blues FC
Richmond Ivy
USL Norfolk
Virginia Beach United
Cedar Stars Academy women
Hudson Valley Crusaders
Eagle FC women
Lancaster Inferno
Patuxent Football Athletics women
Erie Sport Center
Flower City 1872
Kalamazoo FC women
Union FC Macomb
River Light FC women
RKC Third Coast women
Kings Hammer FC women
Racing Louisville FC Academy
AHFC Royals Women
Challenge SC Women
Lonestar SC Women
Lonestar SC San Antonio
Athenians SC
Asheville City SC women
Tennessee SC
USL Knoxville
Brevard SC Riptide
Brooke House FC
FC Miami
Kings Hammer FC Sun City
Miami AC women
Sporting JAX
TLH Reckoning
Albion SC Colorado
Colorado International Soccer Academy
Colorado Storm
Flatirons Rush
Utah United
San Juan SC
Bigfoot FC
Tacoma Galaxy
West Seattle Rhodies FC
Capo FC
Southern California Dutch Lions FC
USL W League clubs
Chesapeake Division; Metropolitan Division; Mid-Atlantic Division; 
South Atlantic Division; Great Forest Division; Great Lakes Division; Heartland Division; Valley Division; Lone Star Division; South Central Division; Southeast Division; Mountain Division; Northwest Division; Nor Cal Division; SoCal Division
Chesapeake Division; 
Metropolitan Division; 
Mid-Atlantic Division; 
South Atlantic Division; 
Great Forest Division; 
Great Lakes Division; 
Heartland Division; 
Valley Division; 
Lone Star Division; 
South Central Division; 
Southeast Division; 
Mountain Division; 
Northwest Division; 
Nor Cal Division; 
SoCal DivisionFuture clubs
| Team | City | Stadium | Founded | Joining | Head coach | Affiliate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NONA FC[95] | Orlando, Florida | TBD | 2024 | 2025 | NONA FC (USL League Two) |
Former Teams
Champions
| Season | Playoff champions | Regular season champions |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | South Georgia Tormenta FC[113] | Minnesota Aurora FC |
| 2023 | Indy Eleven[114] | Minnesota Aurora FC |
| 2024 | North Carolina Courage U23[115] | Florida Elite Soccer Academy |
Finals
| Year | Winner | Score | Runner-up | Venue | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | South Georgia Tormenta FC[116] | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Minnesota Aurora FC[117] | TCO Stadium | 6,489[116] |
| 2023 | Indy Eleven[118] | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | North Carolina Courage U23[119] | IU Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium | 5,419 |
| 2024 | North Carolina Courage U23[115] | 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)[120] |
Amy Andrews (Tormenta FC)[121] |
 Sydney Martinez(Tormenta FC)[121] |
Treva Aycock (Southern Soccer Academy)[122] |
Nicole Lukic (Minnesota Aurora FC)[123] |
 Christian Brathwaite(Greenville Liberty SC)[124] |
|
| 2023 |  Nádia Gomes(San Francisco Glens SC)[125] |
Baylee DeSmit (Christos FC)[126] |
Bailey Herfurth (Tampa Bay United)[126] |
Katie Shea Collins (Tennessee SC)[127] |
Mia Oliaro (North Carolina Courage U23)[128] |
Michele Krzisnik (Flint City AFC)[128] |
|
| 2024 | Anna Haddock (Tennessee SC)[129] |
Luciana Setteducate (Long Island Rough Riders)[130] |
Gabrielle Schriver (Detroit City FC)[131] |
Stephanie Cleaves (Lancaster Inferno)[132] |
Abby Droner (Paisley Athletic FC)[133] |
Georgia Brown (Florida Elite Soccer Academy)[134] |
See also
References
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- ^ "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.
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- ^ "Lancaster Inferno's Stephanie Cleaves wins 2024 Coach of the Year". USL W League. July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ "Paisley Athletic's Abby Droner wins 2024 Young Player of the Year". USL W League. July 18, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ "Florida Elite's Georgia Brown wins 2024 Defender of the Year". USL W League. July 18, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
External links
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