USL W League

Women's professional soccer league in the United States From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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 that it does not have a position in the US soccer pyramid. As of the 2025 season, the current champions are Utah United.

Organizing bodyUnited Soccer League
FoundedJune 8, 2021; 4 years ago (2021-06-08)
First season2022
CountryUnited States
Quick facts Organizing body, Founded ...
USL W League
Organizing bodyUnited Soccer League
FoundedJune 8, 2021; 4 years ago (2021-06-08)
First season2022
CountryUnited States
ConfederationCONCACAF
Divisions16 divisions in 4 conferences
Number of clubs96
Current champion(s)Utah United
(2025)
Broadcaster(s)SportsEngine Play
YouTube
Websitewww.uslwleague.com
Current: 2026 USL W League season
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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, and by 2025 it had 93 teams. The growth of the league resulted in the development of a four-conference system, which was most recently (2025) divided into 15 divisions.[7][8]

Format

In the regular season of 10-12 games, teams play other teams within their division. Divisional standings are ordered by points won, with three points for a win, one point for a draw, and no points for a loss; if two teams are tied on points, these tiebreakers are used:[9]

  1. Head-to-head record based on total points in league games. (If more than two tied teams have played each other an unequal number of times, this tiebreaker is skipped.)
  2. Total points per game (PPG) in league games.
  3. Goal difference in league games. If the number of games is unequal, the average goal difference is used.
  4. Goals scored in league games.
  5. Total points within division. If the number of games is unequal, then point percentages (points won divided by points possible) are used.
  6. Point percentage outside division in league games.
  7. FIFA Fair Play – team with fewest disciplinary points per game in league games.
  8. Lottery.

At the end of the regular season, the top team in each division, along with possible wild-card teams, enter the playoffs. These comprise a straightforward bracket, currently having 16 teams, with seeding based on PPG and possible adjustment made to avoid divisional rivals facing each other in early rounds. The playoffs are a single-elimination tournament culminating in the USL W Final, which determines the season's champion.[9]

Teams

Current teams

More information Conference, Division ...
Overview of USL W League teams
Conference Division Team City Stadium Capacity Founded Joining Head coach Affiliate team
Eastern Conference Chesapeake Division Annapolis Blues FC[10] Annapolis, Maryland Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium 34,000 2024 2025 TBD Annapolis Blues FC (USL2)
Charlottesville Blues FC[11] Charlottesville, Virginia TBD 2023 2024 England Nick Regan Charlottesville Blues FC (USL2)
Richmond Ivy SC[12] Richmond, Virginia City Stadium 6,000 2023 2024 United States Kimmy Cummings Richmond Kickers (USL1)
Virginia Atlantic FC[13] Norfolk, Virginia Powhatan Stadium 2,800 2025 2025 TBD Virginia Beach City FC (NPSL)
Virginia Beach United FC[14] Virginia Beach, Virginia Virginia Beach Sportsplex 6,000 2019 2025 2025 Virginia Beach United FC (USL2)
Virginia Development Academy[15] Woodbridge, Virginia Howison Park 2015 2026
Metropolitan Division Cedar Stars Academy women[16] Teaneck, New Jersey Capelli Sport Complex 500 2021 2022 vacant Cedar Stars Rush (USL 2)
Long Island Rough Riders women[17] Uniondale, New York Mitchel Athletic Complex 1,000 1995 2022 England Matt Lannon[18] Long Island Rough Riders (USL 2)
Manhattan SC women[19] New York, New York Icahn Stadium 5,000 2021 2022 vacant Manhattan SC (USL 2)
Morris Elite SC women[20] Union, New Jersey Union High School unknown 2021 2022 United States Stephanie Savino[21] Morris Elite SC (USL 2)
New Jersey Copa FC[22] Metuchen, New Jersey St. Joseph High School 2004 2025 TBD New Jersey Copa FC (USL 2)
Paisley Athletic FC[23] Kearny, New Jersey Harvey Field Complex 2021 2023 vacant
Mid Atlantic Division Eagle FC women[24] Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania Mountain View High School 1976 2022 vacant Eagle FC
Lancaster Inferno FC[25] Lancaster, Pennsylvania Pucillo Field 700 2008 2024 Stephanie Cleaves
Loudoun United FC[26] Leesburg, Virginia Segra Field 5,000 2026 2026 vacant Loudoun United FC (USL Championship)
Northern Virginia FC women[27] Leesburg, Virginia Evergreen Sportsplex 1,500 2021 2022 Vacant Northern Virginia FC (USL 2)
Patuxent Football Athletics women[28] Patuxent, Maryland Calverton School 2018 2022 vacant Patuxent Football Athletics (USL 2)
Northeast Division AC Connecticut women[29] Newtown, Connecticut Trinity Health Stadium 5,500 2011 2022 vacant AC Connecticut (USL 2)
Hartford Athletic (USL Championship)
Hartford Athletic[30] Hartford, Connecticut Trinity Health Stadium 2025 2026 vacant Hartford Athletic (USL Championship)
Hudson Valley Crusaders[31] Newburgh, New York Kaplan Field 2021 2025 Mitchell Kazanjian
New England Mutiny[32] Ludlow, Massachusetts Lusitano Stadium 1999 2026 Federico Molinari
Vermont Green FC[33] Burlington, Vermont Virtue Field 2025 2026 vacant Vermont Green FC (USL League Two)
Central Conference Great Forest Division FC Buffalo[34] Buffalo, New York Coyer Field 3,000 2021 2025 Greg Margolis FC Buffalo (USL2)
Cleveland Force SC women[35] Cleveland, Ohio DiSanto Field 2,400 2018 2023 vacant Cleveland Force SC (USL 2)
Erie Sport Center[36] Erie, Pennsylvania Erie Sports Center 2025 2025 TBD Erie (USL2)
Flower City 1872[37] Rochester, New York Rochester Community Sports Complex Stadium 13,768 2023 2025 Antonio La Gamba Flower City Union (NPSL)
Pittsburgh Riveters SC[38] Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Highmark Stadium 5,000 2024 2025 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL Championship)
Steel City FC[39] Cheswick, Pennsylvania Founders Field 2014 2025 Tom 'Tommo' Ovenden Steel City FC (USL2)
Great Lakes Division AFC Ann Arbor women[40] Ann Arbor, Michigan Hollway Field 1,300 2014 2022 vacant AFC Ann Arbor (USL 2)
Detroit City FC women[41] Hamtramck, Michigan Keyworth Stadium 7,933 2012 2022 United States David Dwaihy[42] Detroit City FC (USL Championship)
Kalamazoo FC women[43] Kalamazoo, Michigan Mayors Riverfront Park 2016 2022 vacant Kalamazoo FC (USL 2)
Midwest United FC women[44] Grand Rapids, Michigan Aquinas College 1,500 2016 2022 vacant Midwest United FC (USL 2)
Union FC Macomb[45] Utica, Michigan Barnabo Field 2024 2025 TBD Union FC Macomb (USL2)
Heartland Division Edgewater Castle FC[46] Chicago, Illinois Winnemac Park 2017 2026 vacant Edgewater Castle FC (USL League Two)
Minnesota Aurora FC[47] Eagan, Minnesota TCO Stadium 5,600 2021 2022 vacant
Rally Madison FC[48] Madison, Wisconsin Breese Stevens Field 2025 2026 Giuliano Oliviero Forward Madison (USL League One)
River Light FC women[49] Aurora, Illinois Spartan Athletic Park 2020 2024 TBD River Light FC (USL 2)
RKC Third Coast women[50] Racine, Wisconsin Pritchard Park Multi-Purpose Field 1,534 2023 2023 United States John Burke[51] RKC Third Coast (USL 2)
Rochester FC women[52] Rochester, Minnesota Rochester Regional Stadium 5,000 2018 2023 vacant Rochester FC (USL 2)
Rockford Raptors FC[53] Rockford, Illinois TBD 1994 2026 Vacant Rockford Raptors FC (USL League Two)
Sioux Falls City FC[54] Sioux Falls, South Dakota Bob Young Field 5,000 2022 2025 TBD
Valley Division Dayton Dutch Lions FC[55] Dayton, Ohio DOC Stadium 3,500 2009 2025 TBD Dayton Dutch Lions FC (USL2)
Indy Eleven women[56] Indianapolis, Indiana Grand Park 1,000 2021 2022 United States Paul Dolinsky[57] Indy Eleven (USL Championship)
Racing Louisville FC Academy[58] Louisville, Kentucky Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center 2020 2022 vacant Racing Louisville FC (NWSL)
Toledo Villa FC[59] Toledo, Ohio Paul Hotmer Field 2024 2025 TBD Toledo Villa FC (USL2)
Southern Conference Lone Star Division AHFC Royals women[60] Houston, Texas Campbell Road Sports Park 2017 2024 vacant AHFC Royals (USL2)
Challenge SC women[60] Tomball, Texas TBD 1987 2024 vacant
Hill Country Linces[61] San Marcos, Texas San Marcos Baptist Academy 1996 2026 Vacant Hill Country Lobos (USL League Two)
Lonestar SC women[60] Austin, Texas TBD 2004 2024 vacant Lonestar SC (USL2)
Lonestar San Antonio[62] San Antonio, Texas TBD 2025 2025 TBD Lonestar SC (USL2)
South Central Division Asheville City SC women[63] Asheville, North Carolina Greenwood Field 3,000 2021 2022 vacant Asheville City SC (USL 2)
Birmingham Legion WFC[64] Birmingham, Alabama Dunnavant Valley Fields – Field Four 2023 2023 vacant Birmingham Legion FC (USL Championship)
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC women[2] Chattanooga, Tennessee CHI Memorial Stadium 5,500 2019 2022 United States Luke Winter[65] Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL 1)
Swarm FC[66] Marietta, Georgia Marathon Soccer Park 1,000 2021 2022 vacant Southern Soccer Academy (USL 2)
One Knoxville SC women Knoxville, Tennessee Covenant Health Park 7,000 2025 One Knoxville SC (USL 1)
Southeast Division Brevard SC Riptide[67] Melbourne, Florida Melbourne Central Catholic High School 2023 2024 Christofer Felber Brevard SC (USL2)
Brooke House FC[68] Maitland, Florida TBD 2022 2024 England Lawrie Dudfield Brooke House FC (USL2)
FC Miami City Miami, Florida 2025 FC Miami City (USL2)
Fort Lauderdale United FC[69] Fort Lauderdale, Florida Beyond Bancard Field at NSU Florida 2023 2025 TBD Fort Lauderdale United FC (USL Super League)
Miami AC women[70] Miami, Florida Miami Dade College 2021 2022 vacant Miami AC
Sporting JAX Jacksonville, Florida 2025 Sporting JAX (USL2)
TLH Reckoning[71] Tallahassee, Florida Gene Cox Stadium 5,500 2023 2024 TBD None
South Atlantic Division Carolina Ascent FC (W League)[72] Charlotte, North Carolina American Legion Memorial Stadium 10,500 2023 2024 TBD Carolina Ascent FC (USL Super League)
Charlotte Eagles women[73] Charlotte, North Carolina Matthews Sportsplex 5,000 2000 2024 vacant Charlotte Eagles (USL 2)
North Carolina Courage U23[74] Cary, North Carolina WakeMed Soccer Park 2022 2022 vacant North Carolina Courage (NWSL)
North Carolina Fusion U23 women[75] Browns Summit, North Carolina Macpherson Stadium 3,000 2018 2022 vacant Salem City FC (USL 2)
South Carolina United Bantams women[76] Columbia, South Carolina Southeastern Freight Lines Soccer Center 2,000 2012 2022 United States Sandy Burris[77] South Carolina United Bantams (USL 2)
South Georgia Tormenta FC[2] Statesboro, Georgia Optim Sports Medicine Field 5,300 2021 2022 United States Jim Robbins[78] Tormenta FC (USL 1)
Wake FC women[79] Holly Springs, North Carolina Ting Stadium 1,800 2021 2022 vacant Wake FC (USL 2)
Port City FC[80] Wilmington, North Carolina Legion Stadium 2024 2026 Port City FC (NPSL)
Western Conference Mountain Division Albion SC Colorado[81] Lafayette, Colorado TBD 2021 2024 vacant Albion SC Boulder County (USL2)
Colorado International Soccer Academy[81] Parker, Colorado TBD 2012 2024 vacant Colorado International Soccer Academy (USL2)
Colorado Storm[82] Denver, Colorado 1967 2024 TBD
Flatirons Rush[81] Arvada, Colorado Stermole Stadium 2019 2024 vacant Flatirons Rush (USL2)
Real Colorado[83] Centennial, Colorado TBD 1986 2026 Vacant Real Colorado (USL League Two)
Utah United[84] Orem, Utah Clyde Field 2022 2025 TBD Utah United (USL2)
Nor Cal Division California Storm (W League)[85][86] Sacramento, California Davis Legacy Soccer Club TBA 2022 2023 vacant California Storm (WPSL)
Marin FC Siren[85] Greenbrae, California San Rafael High School TBA 2022 2023 vacant Marin FC (USL2)
Monterey Bay[87] Seaside, California Cardinale Stadium 6,000 2026 2026 United States Laura VanWart Monterey Bay FC (USL Championship)
Oakland Soul SC[85][88] Oakland, California Merritt College 2022 2023 United States Jessica Clinton Oakland Roots SC (USL Championship)
Pleasanton RAGE[85] Pleasanton, California Stanford Medicine Sports Complex 2022 2023 vacant
San Juan SC[89] Rancho Cordova, California Folsom Lake College 1978 2025 TBD San Juan SC (USL League Two)
Stockton Cargo SC[85][90][91] Stockton, California St. Mary's High School 2021 2023 vacant
Northwest Division Bigfoot FC[92] Maple Valley, Washington Tahoma High School 2024 2025 TBD Bigfoot FC (USL League Two)
FC Olympia women[93] Olympia, Washington Well 80 Pitch 300 2021 2023 vacant FC Olympia (USL2)
Portland Cherry Bombs FC[94] Portland, Oregon Lents Park 2025 2026 Portland Bangers (USL League Two)
Salmon Bay FC[95] Seattle, Washington Interbay Stadium 2024 2025 Ballard FC (USL2)
Snohomish United[96] Snohomish, Washington Stocker Fields 1989 2026 Snohomish United (USL League Two)
Tacoma Galaxy[97] Tacoma, Washington Bellarmine Preparatory School 2024 2024 TBD Tacoma Stars (USL2)
West Seattle Rhodies FC[98] Seattle, Washington Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex 2024 2025 West Seattle Junction FC (USL2)
SoCal Division AMSG FC[99] Huntington Beach, California Boswell Stadium 2021 2025 TBD AMSG FC (USL2)
Capo FC San Juan Capistrano, California JSerra Catholic High School 2025 TBD Capo FC (USL2)
Los Angeles SC[100] La Cañada Flintridge, California Spartan Stadium 2019 2026
OC Sporting FC[101] Irvine, California University High School 2025 TBD
Santa Clarita Blue Heat[102] Santa Clarita, California Reese Field 2010 2025 Carlos Marroquin
Southern California Dutch Lions FC[103] Carlsbad, California La Costa Canyon High School 2021 2025 TBD
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Location map

USL W League is located in the United States
Charlottesville Blues FC
Charlottesville Blues FC
Richmond Ivy
Richmond Ivy
Virginia Atlantic FC
Virginia Atlantic FC
Virginia Beach United
Virginia Beach United
Virginia Development Academy
Virginia Development Academy
Cedar Stars Academy women
Cedar Stars Academy women
Paisley Athletic
Paisley Athletic
Eagle FC women
Eagle FC women
Lancaster Inferno
Lancaster Inferno
Patuxent Football Athletics women
Patuxent Football Athletics women
Loudoun United FC
Loudoun United FC
Hartford Athletic
Hartford Athletic
Hudson Valley Crusaders
Hudson Valley Crusaders
Erie Sport Center
Erie Sport Center
Flower City 1872
Flower City 1872
Kalamazoo FC women
Kalamazoo FC women
Union FC Macomb
Union FC Macomb
River Light FC women
River Light FC women
RKC Third Coast women
RKC Third Coast women
Racing Louisville FC Academy
Racing Louisville FC Academy
AHFC Royals Women
AHFC Royals Women
Challenge SC Women
Challenge SC Women
Lonestar SC Women
Lonestar SC Women
Lonestar SC San Antonio
Lonestar SC San Antonio
Athenians SC
Athenians SC
Asheville City SC women
Asheville City SC women
Tennessee SC
Tennessee SC
One Knoxville SC women
One Knoxville SC women
Brevard SC Riptide
Brevard SC Riptide
Brooke House FC
Brooke House FC
FC Miami
FC Miami
Kings Hammer FC Sun City
Kings Hammer FC Sun City
Miami AC women
Miami AC women
Sporting JAX
Sporting JAX
TLH Reckoning
TLH Reckoning
Albion SC Colorado
Albion SC Colorado
Colorado International Soccer Academy
Colorado International Soccer Academy
Colorado Storm
Colorado Storm
Flatirons Rush
Flatirons Rush
Utah United
Utah United
Marin
Marin
Pleasanton
Pleasanton
San Juan SC
San Juan SC
Stockton
Stockton
Bigfoot FC
Bigfoot FC
Tacoma Galaxy
Tacoma Galaxy
West Seattle Rhodies FC
West Seattle Rhodies FC
Capo FC
Capo FC
OC Sporting FC
OC Sporting FC
Southern California Dutch Lions 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; Northeast Division; Northwest Division; Nor Cal Division; SoCal Division


Former teams

More information Team, City ...
Team City Stadium Capacity Founded Joining Last season Affiliate Fate
AC Houston Sur women[60] Houston, Texas The Village School 2021 2024 2024 AC Houston Sur (USL2)
Academica SC women[85][104] Turlock, California Academica Field 600 2022 2023 2026 Academica SC (USL2)
Athens FC[105] Athens, Georgia TBD 1972 2024 2024 Athens FC (USL2)
Bavarian United SC women[106] Milwaukee, Wisconsin Heartland Value Fund Stadium 2,000 2011 2023 2024 Bavarian United SC (USL 2) WPSL
Capital FC Atletica[93] Salem, Oregon John Chambers Field 500 2017 2023 2024 Capital FC
Chicago City SC women[107] Chicago, Illinois ITW David Speer Academy 2013 2022 2024 Chicago City SC (USL 2)
Chicago Dutch Lions FC women[108] Lisle, Illinois Benedictine University Stadium 3,000 2020 2022 2025 Chicago Dutch Lions FC (USL 2)
Christos FC women[109] Baltimore, Maryland Moose Athletic Club 1997 2022 2024 Christos FC (USL 2)
Fayetteville Fury[110] Fayetteville, North Carolina TBD 2021 2024 2024 Fayetteville Fury (NISL)
Flint City AFC[111] Flint, Michigan Atwood Stadium 11,000 2022 2022 2024 Flint City Bucks (USL 2) UWS
Florida Elite Soccer Academy women[112] St. Johns, Florida Mandarin High School Stadium 1,000 2014 2022 2024 Florida Elite Soccer Academy
Green Bay Glory[113] Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin Capital Credit Union Park 3,359 2019 2022 2023 WPSL
Greenville Liberty SC[2] Greenville, South Carolina Paladin Stadium 10,000 2021 2022 2025 Greenville Triumph SC (USL 1)
Kings Hammer FC women[114] Cincinnati, Ohio Bishop Brossart High School 2021 2022 2025 Kings Hammer FC (USL 2)
Kings Hammer FC Sun City Sun City, Florida 2025 2025 Kings Hammer FC Sun City (USL2)
Lane United FC women[93] Eugene, Oregon New Civic Stadium 2,500 2013 2023 2025 Lane United FC (USL2)
Lexington SC women[115] Lexington, Kentucky Bell Soccer Complex 3,370 2022 2023 2025 Lexington SC (USL Championship) USLS
Michiana FC Lionesses[116] Granger, Indiana TBD 2019 2024 2024 Michiana FC Lions (USL 2)
Northern Colorado Rain FC[117][118] Windsor, Colorado TicketSmarter Stadium 6,000 2023 2024 2024 Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USL1) WPSL
Olympic Club SC women[85] San Francisco, California 2022 2023 2025 Olympic Club
Palm City Americanas[119] Palm City, Florida Football Farm 2022 2023 2024
San Antonio Athenians SC[120] San Antonio, Texas Soccer Central 2016 2024 2025
San Francisco Glens women[85][121] San Francisco, California Skyline College 1,000 2022 2023 2025 San Francisco Glens (USL2) WPSL[122]
St. Charles FC women[123] St. Charles, Missouri Lutheran High School 2020 2023 2024 St. Charles FC (USL 2)
Swan City SC women[124] Lakeland, Florida Lake Myrtle Sports Complex 1,500 2016 2023 2024 Swan City SC
Tampa Bay United SC women[125] Tampa, Florida Tournament Sportsplex of Tampa Bay 300[126] 2011 2022 2024 Tampa Bay United SC
Tennessee SC women[127] Brentwood, Tennessee Ravenwood High School 2012 2022 2025 Tennessee SC (USL 2)
United PDX women[128] Portland, Oregon Westside Christian High School 2018 2023 2024 United PDX
Virginia Marauders FC women[129] Winchester, Virginia Winchester Sportsplex 2023 2023 2026 Virginia Marauders FC (USL 2)
Westchester Flames women[130] New Rochelle, New York City Park Stadium 1,845 1999 2022 2024 Westchester Flames (USL 2)
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Champions

More information Season, Playoff champions ...
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Finals

More information Year, Winner ...
Overview of USL W League finals
Year Winner Score Runner-up Venue Attendance
2022 South Georgia Tormenta FC[135] 2–1 (a.e.t.) Minnesota Aurora FC[136] TCO Stadium 6,489[135]
2023 Indy Eleven[137] 2–1 (a.e.t.) North Carolina Courage U23[138] IU Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium 5,419
2024 North Carolina Courage U23[133] 3–2 Colorado Storm WRAL Soccer Park
2025 Utah United[134] 4–0 North Carolina Courage U23 South Field - BYU
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Awards

More information Season, MVP ...
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See also

References

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