The first professional women's soccer league in the United States got off to a very successful initial season. Originally the United States Interregional Womens' League, it changed its name later to the W-league. Although the league was hardly above amateur with some franchised, it made a very strong debut performance, providing a professional outlet for many of the top female soccer players in the country. Over the years it has grown steadily, expanding throughout the nation and in the early 21st century began to develop some strong rivalries and dynasties. The W-League is a major component of United Soccer Leagues Inc. It withstood the challenge posed by the Women’s United Soccer Association as that pro circuit took to the field. Since the demise of the WUSA, the W-league has assumed a more important position in the world of women’s soccer. The W-League's official webpage may be found at: http://wleague.uslsoccer.com/.
Outdoor scoring system (1995): 6 points for a win, 4 points for a shootout win, 2 points for a shootout loss, 0 points for a regulation loss, 1 point for each goal scored up to 3 per game.
Outdoor scoring system (1996-1998): 3 points for a regulation win, 1 point for a shootout win, 0 points for a shootout loss, 0 points for a regulation loss.
Outdoor scoring system (1999): 4 points for a regulation win, 2 points for a shootout win, 1 point for a shootout loss, 0 points for a regulation loss + 1 bonus point when scoring three or more goals in a game.
Outdoor scoring system (2000-2002): 4 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss + 1 bonus point when scoring three or more goals in a game.
Outdoor scoring system (2003-present): 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss.
Final League Standings and Playoff results
CURRENT W-LEAGUE STANDINGS Standings 1995-2005 2011 Before the season, Vancouver became the Whitecaps FC. Dayton, Fredericksburg, D. C. United, Los Angeles, And Victoria were added. GP W L D GF GA Pts EASTERN CONFERENCE Northeast Division Long Island Rough Riders 10 7 1 2 30 7 23 New Jersey Wildcats 10 6 1 3 15 8 20* DC United Women 10 5 3 2 15 9 17 North Jersey Valkyries 10 3 4 3 15 14 12 New York Magic 10 3 6 1 14 22 10 New Jersey Rangers 10 0 9 1 4 33 0* Atlantic Division Atlanta Silverbacks 10 9 1 0 25 5 26* Charlotte Lady Eagles 10 6 2 2 17 6 20 Dayton Dutch Lions 10 5 3 2 23 16 17 Virginia Beach Piranhas 10 3 4 3 23 21 12 Fredericksburg Impact 10 2 7 1 10 29 7 Northern Virginia Majestics 10 0 9 1 4 25 1 CENTRAL CONFERENCE Great lakes Division Ottawa Fury 12 12 0 0 43 5 36 Laval Comets 12 6 4 2 21 20 20 Quebec City Amiral 12 6 5 1 23 19 19 Toronto Lady Lynx 12 5 5 2 12 18 17 Hamilton FC Rage 12 3 7 2 16 22 11 Rochester Ravens 12 2 6 4 12 23 10 London Gryphons 12 1 8 3 10 30 6 WESTERN CONFERENCE Santa Clarita Blue Heat 14 8 4 1 30 12 29 Vancouver Whitecaps 14 8 2 4 27 14 28 Pali Blues 14 7 1 6 20 10 27 Colorado Rush 14 6 5 3 19 18 21 Seattle Sounders 14 5 5 4 19 19 19 Los Angeles Strikers 14 4 9 1 17 31 13 Colorado Force 14 3 9 2 16 25 11 Victoria Highlanders 14 1 10 3 13 32 6 * - deducted 1 point for violations. Conference Semifinals: Atlanta defeated New Jersey 3-2 Charlotte defeated Long Island 2-1 Conference Finals: Atlanta defeated Charlotte 1-0 Vancouver defeated Santa Clarita 4-3 Ottawa defeated Quebec City 6-0 Semifinals: Atlanta defeated Vancouver 3-1 Ottawa defeated Seattle 3-2 3rd Place: Vancouver defeated Seattle 2-1 FINAL: Atlanta defeated Ottawa 6-1 2010 Before the season, Colorado Fush, New Jersey Rangers, and North Jersey were added. Ventura County became Santa Clarita. Washington became the Freedom Futures. GP W L D GF GA Pts EASTERN CONFERENCE Northeast Division Hudson Valley Quickstrike LB12 11 1 0 26 9 33 Washington Freedom Futures 12 10 1 1 29 7 31 New Jersey Wildcats 12 7 4 1 22 16 22 Long Island Rough Riders 12 7 5 0 23 14 21 New Jersey Rangers 12 4 8 0 16 30 12 New York Magic 12 3 9 0 23 30 9 North Jersey Valkyries 12 0 12 0 5 30 0 Atlantic Division Atlanta Silverbacks Women 10 7 2 1 22 7 22 Charlotte Lady Eagles 10 5 3 2 15 4 17 Tampa Bay Hellenic 10 5 4 1 12 13 16 Hampton Roads Piranhas 10 2 6 2 7 21 8 Northern Virginia Majestics 10 2 8 0 6 25 6 CENTRAL CONFERENCE Great Lakes Division Ottawa Fury Women 12 8 1 3 25 5 27 Toronto Lady Lynx 12 7 2 3 15 6 24 Laval Comets 12 6 3 3 17 10 21 Quebec City Arsenal 12 6 4 2 16 12 20 Rochester Ravens 12 2 9 1 8 24 7 Hamilton Avalanche 12 1 11 0 5 29 3 Midwest Division Buffalo Flash 12 10 0 2 48 5 32 Chicago Red Eleven 12 8 2 2 32 8 26 Kalamazoo Outrage 12 4 7 1 18 26 13 Cleveland Internationals Wom12 3 8 1 16 39 10 London Gryphons 12 1 9 2 6 25 5 WESTERN CONFERENCE Vancouver Whitecaps Women 10 6 0 4 20 9 22 Pali Blues 10 3 4 3 16 14 12 Seattle Sounders Women 10 2 2 6 12 12 12 Colorado Rush 10 2 2 6 10 12 12 Santa Clarita Blue Heat 10 2 6 2 6 16 8 Colorado Force 10 2 3 5 11 12 7* * - deducted 4 points. Divisional Round: Toronto defeated Laval 2-0 Conference Semifinals: Buffalo defeated Toronto 3-0 Ottawa defeated Chicago 2-0 Atlanta defeated New Jersey 5-1 Charlotte defeated Washington 2-2 (6-5 PK) Conference Finals: Buffalo defeated Ottawa 1-0 Atlanta defeated Charlotte 1-0 Vancouver defeated Pali 2-1 Semi-finals: Buffalo defeated Atlanta 3-1 Vancouver defeated Hudson Valley 3-1 Third Place Game: Hudson Valley defeated Atlanta 3-0 CHAMPIONSHIP: Buffalo defeated Vancouver 3-1 After the season, Hudson Valley, Washington, Buffalo, Chicago, Kalamazoo, and Cleveland folded. Tampa Bay moved to the WPSL. 2009 Before the season, Buffalo and Quebec City were added. Cary Became the Lady Clarets. Ft. Collins Became Colorado. Jersey became Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues. Washington became the Freedom Reserves. GP W L D GF GA Pts EASTERN CONFERENCE Northeast Division Hudson Valley Quickstrike LB14 12 0 2 40 9 38 Washington Freedom Rsv. 14 12 1 1 49 3 37 Boston Renegades 14 7 3 4 35 16 25 New Jersey Wildcats 14 7 6 1 17 21 22 Long Island Rough Riders 14 6 7 1 28 26 19 Connecticut Passion (-3) 14 3 9 2 18 33 8 New York Magic 14 1 10 3 8 45 6 West Mass Lady Pioneers (-3)14 1 13 0 8 44 0 Atlantic Division Atlanta Silverbacks Women 12 10 1 1 24 3 31 Tampa Bay Hellenic 12 8 1 3 24 7 27 Charloltte Lady Eagles 12 6 3 3 19 13 21 Hampton Roads Piranhas 12 6 6 0 24 18 18 Cary Lady Clarets 12 5 6 1 24 23 16 Northern Virginia Majestics 12 1 10 1 3 21 4 Richmond Kickers Destony 12 1 10 1 8 41 4 CENTRAL CONFERENCE Great Lakes Division Ottawa Fury Women 14 11 1 2 40 9 35 Buffalo Flash 14 9 2 3 40 10 30 Quebec City Arsenal 14 9 4 1 29 17 28 Laval Comets 14 7 6 1 22 16 22 Toronto Lady Lynx 14 6 4 4 25 17 22 London Gryphons 14 3 9 2 23 33 11 Hamilton Avalanche 14 3 9 2 14 35 11 Rochester Ravens 14 0 13 1 5 61 1 Midwest Division FC Indiana Lionesses 12 10 0 2 63 2 32 Chicago Red Eleven 12 10 1 1 37 6 31 Minnesota Lightning 12 7 3 2 37 11 23 Cleveland Internationals 12 4 6 2 15 28 14 Fort Wayne Fever 12 3 7 2 19 40 11 Kalamazoo Outrage 12 2 8 2 11 39 8 West Michigan Firewomen 12 0 11 1 5 61 1 WESTERN CONFERENCE Pali Blues 12 9 0 3 26 9 30 Colorado Force 12 4 2 6 16 13 18 Seattle Sounders Women 12 3 3 6 12 15 15 Real Colorado Cougars 12 4 5 3 16 15 15 Vancouver Whitecaps Women 12 2 6 4 15 19 14 Ventura County Fusion 12 2 5 5 13 22 10 Los Angeles Legends 12 2 7 3 15 20 9 Divisional Round: Buffalo defeated Quebec City 5-0 Conference Semi-Finals: Washington defeated Tampa Bay 2-1 FC Indiana defeated Buffalo 3-1 Charlotte defeated Atlanta 2-1 Ottawa defeated Chicago 4-2 Conference Finals: Ottawa defeated FC Indiana 2-1 Washington defeated Charlotte 2-1 Pali defeated Colorado 5-2 Semi-Finals: Washington defeated Ottawa 0-0 (3-1-PK) Pali defeated Hudson Valley 4-0 CHAMPIONSHIP: Pali defeated Washington 2-1 After the season, Boston, Cary, Connecticut, FC Indiana, Fort Wayne, Los Angeles, Minnesota, Real Colorado, Richmond, West Michigan and Western Mass folded. 2008 Before the season, Carolina Dynamo returned from hiatus. Kalamazoo, FC Indiana, Pali, Carolina RailHawks, Connecticut, Tampa, West Virginia, Los Angeles, Western New York and Ventura were added. Chicago Became the Red Eleven. GP W L D GF GA Pts EASTERN CONFERENCE Northeast Division Washington Freedom 14 11 1 2 32 7 35 Long Island Rough Riders 14 9 3 2 28 13 29 Boston Renegades 14 9 3 2 32 12 29 Hudson Valley Quickstrike 14 8 4 2 14 10 26 Connecticut Passion 14 7 5 2 24 23 23 Northern Virginia Majestics 14 3 6 5 17 23 14 New York Magic 14 3 7 4 14 23 13 New Jersey Wildcats 14 2 10 2 17 35 8 Fredericksburg Lady Gunners 14 0 13 1 5 37 1 Atlantic Division Atlanta Silverbacks 14 13 0 1 50 6 40 Charlotte Lady Eagles 14 11 2 1 44 13 34 Tampa Bay Hellenic 14 8 4 2 27 16 26 Hampton Roads Piranhas 14 7 6 1 28 19 22 Carolina Railhawks 14 7 6 1 22 19 22 Richmond Kickers Destiny 14 6 8 0 18 28 18 Carolina Dynamo 14 4 8 2 23 30 14 Bradenton Athletics 14 2 12 0 11 52 6 West Virginia Illusion 14 1 13 0 6 46 3 CENTRAL CONFERENCE Northern Division Ottawa Fury 14 13 1 0 51 7 39 Toronto Lady Lynx 14 11 2 1 40 14 34 Laval Comets 14 9 4 1 39 17 28 Western New York Pride 14 6 6 2 18 33 20 Hamilton Avalanche 14 5 6 3 19 21 18 Western Mass. Lady Pioneers 14 3 9 2 18 34 11 London Gryphons 14 3 9 2 15 35 11 Vermont Lady Voltage 14 0 13 1 5 44 1 Midwest Division FC Indiana Lionesses 14 13 0 1 67 3 40 Chicago Red Eleven 14 11 3 0 39 9 33 Minnesota Lightning 14 9 3 2 32 19 29 Cleveland Internationals 14 8 4 2 31 23 26 Michigan Hawks 14 4 9 1 12 33 13 Kalamazoo Outrage 14 2 10 2 6 36 8 Fort Wayne Fever 13 2 10 1 16 39 7 West Michigan Freewomen 13 1 11 1 11 52 4 WESTERN CONFERENCE Pali Blues 12 12 0 0 39 4 36 Vancouver Whitecaps 12 7 2 3 21 18 24 Seattle Sounders 12 5 3 4 19 11 19 Real Colorado Cougars 12 5 4 3 15 19 18 Colorado Force 12 3 6 3 15 19 12 Los Angeles Legends 12 1 9 2 11 26 5 Ventura County Fusion 12 1 10 1 9 32 4 Divisional First Round: Laval defeated Toronto 2-0 Long Island defeated Boston 1-0 Conference Semi-Finals: FC Indiana defeated Laval 5-1 Ottawa defeated Chicago 3-2 Atlanta defeated Long Island 1-0 Washington defeated Charlotte 6-5 Conference Finals: FC Indiana defeated Ottawa 4-3 Washington defeated Atlanta 2-1 Seattle defeated Vancouver 1-0 Semi-Finals: Pali defeated Washington 2-0 FC Indiana defeated Seattle 1-0 Consolation Game: Washington defeated Seattle 2-0 CHAMPIONSHIP: Pali defeated FC Indiana 2-1 After the season, Bradenton, Carolina, Fredericksburg, Michigan, Vermont and West Virginia folded. 2007 Before the season, Fredericksburg, Washington, Jersey, and San Diego were added. GP W L D GF GA Pts EASTERN CONFERENCE Northeast Division Washington Freedom 14 12 1 1 48 10 37 Jersey Sky Blue 14 12 2 0 48 6 36 Northern Virginia Majestics 14 7 6 1 28 26 22 Boston Renegades 14 7 7 0 19 31 21 New Jersey Wildcats 14 5 5 4 16 13 19 Long Island Rough Riders 14 5 7 2 20 24 17 New York Magic 14 1 10 3 8 32 6 Western Mass Lady Pioneers 14 1 12 1 9 54 4 Connecticut (assoc. Member) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Northern Division Ottawa Fury 12 11 0 1 47 9 34 Toronto Lady Lynx 12 7 3 2 29 16 23 Laval Comets 12 7 4 1 35 10 22 Rochester Raging Rhinos 12 5 7 0 21 28 15 Hamilton Avalanche 12 2 10 0 11 42 6 Vermont Lady Voltage 12 2 10 0 9 47 6 CENTRAL CONFERENCE Atlantic Division Atlanta Silverbacks 12 9 2 1 25 10 28 Richmond Kickers Destiny 12 9 2 1 25 10 28 Charlotte Lady Eagles 12 8 2 2 31 10 26 Cocoa Expos 11 5 3 3 20 8 18 Hampton Roads Piranhas 11 2 8 1 9 22 7 Bradenton Athletics 11 1 9 1 9 32 4 Fredericksburg Lady Gunners 11 1 9 1 6 33 4 Midwest Division Minnesota Lightning 12 10 1 1 27 8 31 Michigan Hawks 12 8 3 1 27 13 25 Cleveland Internationals 12 8 4 0 30 16 24 Chicago Gaels 12 7 4 1 39 17 22 London Gryphons 12 4 8 0 19 41 12 Fort Wayne Fever 12 1 9 2 8 27 5 West Michigan Firewomen 12 1 10 1 7 35 4 WESTERN CONFERENCE San Diego Sunwaves 12 8 3 1 28 12 25 Seattle Sounders 12 7 4 1 21 14 22 Vancouver Whitecaps 12 6 3 3 24 17 21 Fort Collins Force 12 4 7 1 18 31 13 Mile High Edge 12 3 7 2 16 26 11 Real Colorado Cougars 12 3 7 2 11 18 11 Conference Semifinals: Jersey defeated Northern Virginia 3-1 Toronto defeated Laval 3-1 Minnesota defeated Richmond 4-2 Atlanta defeated Michigan 4-0 Washington defeated Toronto 6-1 Ottawa defeated Jersey 4-0 Conference Finals: Washington defeated Ottawa 1-0 Atlanta defeated Minnesota 5-2 Seattle defeated San Diego 2-1 Semi-Finals: Washington defeated Atlanta 3-1 Seattle defeated Rochester 2-1 Third Place: Seattle defeated Rochester 3-1 CHAMPIONSHIP: Washington defeated Atlanta 3-1 After the season, Cocoa, San Diego and Mile High folded. 2006 Before the season, Detroit became the Michigan Hawks Women, Denver became Real Colorado Cougars. Carolina, Cleveland, Seattle, and Vancouver dropped the “Women” appendage. Mile High the Edge. West Michigan became the Firewomen. Hamilton, Laval, Minnesota, Central Florida and Cocoa were added. GP W L D GF GA Pts EASTERN CONFERENCE Northeast Division New Jersey Wildcats 14 14 0 0 61 3 42 Western Mass Lady Pioneers 14 10 3 1 54 10 31 Boston Renegades 14 9 3 2 52 16 29 Long Island Lady Riders 14 7 5 2 28 17 23 Northern Virginia Majestics 14 5 9 0 28 28 15 New York Magic 14 4 8 2 20 26 14 South Jersey Banshees 14 2 11 1 10 50 7 New Hampshire Lady Phantoms 14 0 12 2 4 96 2 Northern Division Ottawa Fury 12 10 1 1 38 7 31 Toronto Lady Lynx 12 7 1 4 37 4 25 Laval Comets 12 6 3 3 30 13 21 Hamilton Avalanche 12 6 5 1 20 25 19 Vermont Lady Voltage 12 4 7 1 12 24 13 Rochester Raging Rhinos 12 4 8 0 22 30 12 Sudbury Canadians 12 0 12 0 2 58 0 CENTRAL CONFERENCE Atlantic Division Charlotte Lady Eagles 14 10 4 0 32 14 30 Richmond Kickers Destiny 14 9 4 1 31 13 28 Cocoa Expos 14 9 4 1 17 16 28 Central Florida Krush 14 7 5 2 25 21 23 Atlanta Silverbacks 14 6 7 1 23 17 19 Hampton Roads Piranhas 14 5 8 1 18 28 16 Bradenton Academics 14 2 7 5 12 27 11 Carolina Dynamo Women 14 1 10 3 7 29 6 Midwest Division Michigan Hawks 14 10 2 2 41 13 32 Minnesota Lightning 14 9 3 2 34 19 29 Cleveland Internationals 14 9 4 1 36 22 28 Chicago Gaels 14 7 4 3 29 19 24 Cincinnati Ladyhawks 14 5 6 3 33 33 18 London Gryphons 14 4 9 1 28 45 13 Fort Wayne Fever 14 3 9 2 16 37 11 West Michigan Firewomen 14 2 12 0 9 38 6 WESTERN CONFERENCE Vancouver Whitecaps 12 11 0 1 38 7 34 Seattle Sounders 12 5 4 3 21 18 18 Mile High Edge 12 4 6 2 22 23 14 Real Colorado Cougars 12 3 4 5 25 27 14 Fort Collins Force 12 3 7 2 15 25 11 San Diego Gauchos Women 12 2 7 3 14 35 9 Divisional Playoffs: Long Island defeated Boston 1-0 Long Island defeated Northern Virginian 1-0 Ottawa defeated Toronto 3-2 Conference Semifinals: Ottawa defeated Western Mass 3-0 New Jersey defeated Long Island 3-2 Richmond defeated Michigan 2-0 Charlotte defeated Minnesota 1-1 (5-4 PK) Conference Finals: Ottawa defeated New Jersey 3-2 Charlotte defeated Richmond 1-0 Seattle defeated Mile High 1-0 Semi-Finals: Ottawa defeated Charlotte 2-1 Vancouver defeated Seattle 5-0 Third Place: Seattle defeated Charlotte 1-0 W-LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP: Vancouver defeated Ottawa 3-0 After the season, Cincinnati, South Jersey, New Hampshire, Sudbury, and San Diego folded, and Carolina went on hiatus.
Last update: October 30, 2011