W-League
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The W-League is the first modern women's soccer league in the United States pyramid.
The W-League currently provides the most complete women’s player pool in the world. It 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. It is part of the United Soccer Leagues system.
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[edit] History
The W-League's inaugural season was in 1995. Originally 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.
[edit] 2007 Changes
The Washington Freedom Soccer Club moves from associate to full-time status. The new Fredericksburg Gunners organization adds a women's team, the Fredericksburg Lady Gunners. The San Diego Sunwaves and Jersey Sky Blue also join for 2007.
Six teams leave the league for 2007: Carolina Dynamo Women, Central Florida Krush, Cincinnati Ladyhawks, Columbus Lady Shooting Stars, New Hampshire Lady Phantoms, and South Jersey Banshees.
F.C. Virginia relocates to become F.C. St. Louis.
[edit] 2007 Teams
[edit] Eastern Conference
[edit] Northeast Division
- Boston Renegades
- Jersey Sky Blue
- Long Island Lady Riders
- New Jersey Wildcats
- New York Magic
- Northern Virginia Majestics
- Washington Freedom SC
- Western Mass Lady Pioneers
[edit] Northern Division
- Hamilton Avalanche
- Laval Comets
- Ottawa Fury
- Rochester Rhinos Women
- Sudbury Canadians
- Toronto Lady Lynx
- Vermont Lady Voltage
[edit] Central Conference
[edit] Atlantic Division
- Atlanta Silverbacks Women
- Bradenton Athletics
- Charlotte Lady Eagles
- Cocoa Expos
- Fredericksburg Lady Gunners
- Hampton Roads Piranhas
- Richmond Kickers Destiny
| Current Stadiums in the W-League Atlantic Division |
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| Silverbacks Park | IMG Soccer Academy | Waddell High School Stadium | Cocoa Expo Sports Center TBD (Fredericksburg) | Trinder Center/Foster Field | University of Richmond Stadium |
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[edit] Midwest Division
- Cincinnati Ladyhawks
- Chicago Gaels
- Cleveland Internationals Women
- Fort Wayne Fever
- London Gryphons
- Michigan Hawks
- Minnesota Lightning
- West Michigan Firewomen
[edit] Western Conference
- Fort Collins Force
- Mile High Edge
- Real Colorado Cougars
- San Diego Sunwaves
- Seattle Sounders Women
- Vancouver Whitecaps Women
[edit] Past Champions
For 1998 through 2001 the W-League was divided into two divisions, W-1 - the top division and W-2, the lower division.
- 2006 Vancouver Whitecaps Women 3-0 Ottawa Fury
- 2005 New Jersey Wildcats 3-0 Ottawa Fury
- 2004 Vancouver Whitecaps 4-2 New Jersey Wildcats
- 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
- W-2: Charlotte Lady Eagles 3-1 Memphis
- 2000
- W-1: Chicago Cobras 1-1 Raleigh Wings (Chicago wins on penalty kick 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
[edit] External links
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| Competitions in Canadian Soccer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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