Official Home Page of the WPSL

2007 WPSL NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Women's Premier Soccer League

The WPSL is a regional amateur league serving the western United States, sanctioned by the United States Amateur Soccer Association (USASA). The initial team lineup included the pacific coast teams of the USL's W-League and several other amateur teams from California. After several very successful seasons, the WPSL seeks to give many college players a future in professional American soccer.

United Soccer Leagues W League

The W-League is the first modern women's soccer league in the United States pyramid. Its initial season was in 1995. Originally the United States Interregional Women's 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.

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.

2008 W-League Alignments and Playoff Structure by Conference

Central Conference

Midwest Division: Chicago Gaels, Cleveland Internationals, Fort Wayne Fever, FC Indiana, Kalamazoo Outrage, Michigan Hawks, Minnesota Lightning, West Michigan Firewomen
Northern Division: Hamilton Avalanche, Laval Comets, London Gryphons, Ottawa Fury, Rochester Raging Rhinos, Toronto Lady Lynx, Vermont Lady Voltage, Western Mass Lady Pioneers

Central Conference Playoffs: The playoffs open with a Divisional Round between the second and third-place teams in the Northern Division hosted by the higher seed. The winner of the Divisional Round will advance to the conference tournament with the regular season Northern Division champion and the top two teams from the Midwest Division. The top seeds will play the lower seeds from the opposite division in the conference semifinals. The conference champion will advance to the W-League Championship Tournament. The regular season conference champion has the first right to host the conference tournament if they meet the pre-established hosting requirements.

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division: Atlanta Silverbacks, Bradenton Athletics, Carolina Dynamo, Carolina RailHawks, Charlotte Lady Eagles, Hampton Roads Piranhas, Richmond Kickers Destiny, Tampa (TBA), West Virginia (TBA)
Northeast Division: Boston Renegades, Connecticut, Fredericksburg Lady Gunners, Jersey Sky Blue, Long Island Rough Riders, New Jersey Wildcats, New York Magic, Northern Virginia Majestics, Washington Freedom

Eastern Conference Playoffs: The playoffs open with a Divisional Round between the second and third-place teams in the Northeast Division hosted by the higher seed. The winner of the Divisional Round will advance to the conference tournament with the regular season Northern Division champion and the top two teams from the Atlantic Division. The top seeds will play the lower seeds from the opposite division in the conference semifinals. The conference champion will advance to the W-League Championship Tournament. The regular season conference champion has the first right to host the conference tournament if they meet the pre-established hosting requirements.

Western Conference

Alignment: Fort Collins Force, Los Angeles (TBA), Pali Blues, Real Colorado Cougars, Seattle Sounders, Vancouver Whitecaps, Ventura (TBA)

Western Conference Playoffs: The regular season conference champion will play host to the second-place finisher in the Conference Championship match. The winner advances to the W-League Championship Tournament.

Women's Professoinal Soccer

WPS is the highest level women’s professional soccer league in North America. Formed in September 2007 as the result of the efforts of the Women’s Soccer Initiative, Inc., WPS, which will begin play in April 2009 consists of seven teams across the country.

The markets for the 2009 season are Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C. More markets will be announced as they are added to the League.

Franchises are individually owned and operated by a group of investors in each market. These include AEG-L.A. Women’s Soccer LLC, Boston Women’s Soccer LLC, Chicago Professional Women’s Soccer LLC, Hendricks Investment Holdings LLC (Washington D.C.), St. Louis United Soccer LLC, Sky Blue Women’s Soccer, Inc. (New Jersey/New York) and Sting Soccer Group LP (Dallas).

Competition Schedule
The inaugural WPS season will kick off in April 2009. At the conclusion of the regular season, a pair of semifinal playoff matches will be held with winners advancing to the WPS Championship Match. A mid-season or post-season All-Star Game will also be staged.