The W-League is the first modern professional women's soccer league in the United States. Its initial season in 1995. Originally the United States Interregional Womens' League, it changed its name later to the W-League. Although at its inception the league was hardly above amateur with some franchises, it made a very strong debut performance, providing a professional outlet for many of the top female soccer players in the country.

From 1995 through the 1997 season the W-League is a single tier format (all teams are at the same division). This changes before the 1998 season when the W-League becomes a two tier league. The top tier/division is called W-1 and lower division is called W-2. This division remains 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 returns to the single tier format in the 2002 season.

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 also gives the college players the opportunity to play alongside established international players while maintaining their collegiate eligibility.

Table of contents
1 2004 Teams
2 Past Champions
3 External Links

2004 Teams

NORTHERN CONFERENCE

Northeast Division

  • Long Island Lady Riders
  • New Jersey Lady Stallions
  • New Jersey Wildcats
  • New York Magic
  • South Jersey Banshees

North Central Division

  • Montreal
  • Ottawa Fury
  • Rochester Ravens
  • Sudbury Canadians
  • Toronto Inferno

New England Division

  • Boston Renegades
  • New Hampshire Lady Phantoms
  • Rhode Island Lady Stingrays
  • Western Mass Lady Pioneers

CENTRAL CONFERENCE

Atlantic Division

Midwest Division

  • Chicago Cobras
  • Cincinnati Ladyhawks
  • Cleveland Internationals
  • Columbus Lady Shooting Stars
  • Detroit Jaguars
  • Fort Wayne Fever
  • West Michigan
  • Windy City Bluez

WESTERN CONFERENCE

  • Arizona Heatwave
  • Calgary
  • Denver Lady Cougars
  • Edmonton Aviators Women
  • Fort Collins Force
  • Mile High Mustangs
  • Seattle Sounders
  • Vancouver Whitecaps

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.

  • 2003 Hampton Roads Piranhas 1 - Chicago Cobras 0
  • 2002 Boston Renegades 3 - Charlotte Lady Eagles 0
  • 2001
    • W-1: Boston Renegades 5 - Vancouver White Caps 1
    • W-2: Charlotte Lady Eagles 3 - Memphis 1
  • 2000
    • W-1: Chicago Cobras 1 - Raleigh Wings 1 (Chacago wins on penalty kick 4-2)
    • W-2: Springfield Sirens 2 - Charlotte Lady Eagles 1
  • 1999
    • W-1: Raleigh Wings 3 - Chicago Cobras 2 (OT)
    • W-2: North Texas 5 - Springfield 1
  • 1998
    • W-1: Raleigh Wings 4 - Boston Renegades 3
    • W-2: Ft. Collins Force 3 - Hampton Roads Piranhas 1
  • 1997 Long Island Lady Riders 2 - Chicago Cobras 1 (OT)
  • 1996 Maryland Pride 3 - Dallas Lightening 0
  • 1995 Long Island Lady Riders 3 - S. California Nitemares 0

External Links