United Women's Soccer
2024 UWS season |
United Women's Soccer (UWS) is a national
History
Background
In the summer of 2015, disorganization and the inability to field teams led to many last-minute changes in the WPSL playoffs.[4][5] This, combined with a general lack of competitiveness due to rapid expansion, led to frustration from many long-time WPSL teams. The 2014 WPSL final four hosts ASA Chesapeake Charge elected to skip the 2015 WPSL playoffs altogether as did the entire Sunshine division,[4] Fire & Ice SC was a no-show,[6] and the New England Mutiny published a threatening response to how WPSL as a league was run and was regressing.[5]
Later that year, the
Founding
Spearheaded by the
UWS will be sanctioned through
Rapid early growth
Between founding and the beginning of the inaugural season, hints of the desired second Western conference came to light in late January and was made official on February 5, with the first five revealed teams being Real Salt Lake Women and Houston Aces (both previously of WPSL), and the Santa Clarita Blue Heat, the Colorado Storm, and the Colorado Pride (all previously of the W-League).[3][11]
On March 9, 2016, it was announced that the Canadian Soccer Association would not sanction teams in Laval & Quebec for play in UWS, leaving the league with only 11 teams for its inaugural season.[12][13]
On November 1, 2016,
Western contraction period
While UWS would see continued stability in the East and Midwest conferences, attempts to establish teams in the west would prove less successful. From 2017 to 2018, UWS grew from having just five teams west of the Mississippi River to having eleven, with the return of the Colorado Pride, joining of
Further expansion and creation of League Two
In the 2020 off-season, UWS continued to add more clubs to the league and expanding their reach, including the creation of the Southeast Conference.[23]
On February 6, 2020, UWS announced the creation of UWS League Two, a 2nd division focused on the U20-U23 age group.[24][25] League Two will consist of a mix of UWS reserve teams and clubs that will be seeking to join UWS in the future. It will feature a promotion and relegation relationship with UWS starting in 2021, though the nature of how clubs will move up and down is still under discussion.[26] The Midwest conference was the first announced for the new league, with the first four teams of said conference consisting of three independent sides as well as the reserves of Detroit Sun FC.[27]
League One
As of February 22, 2024[update]
Team | Stadium | City | Founded | First UWS Season |
---|---|---|---|---|
Eastern Conference | ||||
Albany Rush | Albany, New York | 2021[28] | 2021 | |
Black Mountain Torrent | Pennsylvania | 1978[29] | 2024 | |
Connecticut Rush | New Haven, Connecticut | 2021[30] | 2021 | |
Coppermine United | Baltimore, Maryland | 2022 | ||
Erie Commodores FC | Erie Sports Center | Erie, Pennsylvania | 2021 | 2022 |
FC Berlin | Buffalo State College
|
Buffalo, New York | 2022 | 2022 |
FC Buffalo
|
All-High Stadium | Buffalo, New York | 2021 | 2021 |
Flower City 1872 | Rochester Community Sports Complex Stadium | Rochester, New York | 2023 [31] | 2023 |
Hudson Valley Crusaders | Saugerties, New York | 2023[a] 2024[32] | ||
Maine Footy | TBD | Portland, Maine | 2023 | 2023 |
New England Mutiny | Lusitano Stadium | Ludlow, Massachusetts | 1999 | 2016 |
New Jersey Copa FC | Mercer County Community College | Metuchen, New Jersey | 2015 | 2016 |
Sporting CT | Middletown, Connecticut | 2023 | ||
Steel City | Duly Health and Care Field | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | 2020 | 2020 |
Steel United | Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania | 2010 | 2021[a] 2024[33] | |
Worcester Fuel FC[b] | Commerce Bank Field at Foley Stadium | Worcester, Massachusetts | 2018 | 2018 |
Midwest Conference | ||||
Cap City Athletic 1847 | TBD | 2024 | ||
Chicago Rush | TBD | Chicago, Illinois | 2023[34] | |
Cincinnati Sirens FC | Fairfield Soccer Stadium | Fairfield, Ohio | 2023[35] | |
Edgewater Castle | TBD | Chicago, Illinois | 2023 | |
Elite 14 Performance (E14) | TBD | Southeast, Michigan | 2024[36] | |
Firebirds SC | TBD | Lombard, Illinois | 1994 | 2024[37] |
Futsal Factory Academy | Dexter High School | Dexter, Michigan | 2014 | 2023 |
Indiana Union
|
Grand Park Event Center | Indianapolis, Indiana | 2017 | 2017 |
Michigan Burn | The Sports Academy | Chesterfield Township, Michigan | 2006 | 2023[38] |
Michigan Hawks | Corner Ballpark | Detroit, Michigan | 2020 | 2022[c] |
Michigan Jaguars FC | Novi, Michigan | 2022 | ||
Michigan Legends FC | Legacy Center | Brighton, Michigan | 2017 | 2017[d] |
Michigan Stars FC | Michigan Stars Sports Center | Washington Township, Michigan | 2021 | 2021 |
Nationals FC | TBD | Rochester, Michigan | 2016 | 2022 |
Pass FC | Northview High School | Grand Rapids, Michigan | 2001 | 2024[39] |
Rockford Raptors Soccer Club | Mercyhealth Sportscore | Loves Park, Illinois | 1994 | 2024[40] |
Troy City WFC | Troy, Michigan | 2024 | 2024[41] | |
West Conference | ||||
Calgary Foothills WFC | Calgary Soccer Centre | Calgary, Alberta | 2015 | 2017 |
FC Arizona | Bell Bank Park
|
Mesa, Arizona | 2017 | 2022 |
Los Angeles SC
|
TBD | Los Angeles, California | 1951 | 2022 |
Santa Clarita Blue Heat | College of the Canyons | Santa Clarita, California | 2008 | 2016 |
Players SC | College of the Canyons | Las Vegas, Nevada
|
1989 | 2024[42] |
League Two
As of January 27, 2024[update]
Team | Stadium | City | Founded | First UWS Season |
---|---|---|---|---|
West Conference | ||||
Epic FC | 2024 | |||
Primero De Mayo | Sacramento, California | 2023 | ||
Racing Sacramento | Sacramento, California | 2023 | ||
Reno Vikings | TBD | Reno, Nevada | 2023 | 2023[43][a] 2024 |
Sacramento United | Sacramento, California | 2023 | ||
East Conference | ||||
Albany Rush II | TBD | Albany, New York | 2021 | 2023 |
HV Crusaders II | TBD | Saugerties, New York | ||
Maine Footy II | TBD | Portland, Maine | 2023 | |
MSI Pro[44] | Walt Whitman High School | Rockville, Maryland | 2024 | |
New England Mutiny 2 | Lusitano Stadium | Ludlow, Massachusetts | 2020 | 2021 |
Ole FC | Connecticut | |||
Sporting CT II | Middletown, Connecticut | 2023 | ||
Steel United Hudson Valley[45] | Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania | 2010 | 2024 |
Former members
Team | Stadium | City | Founded | First UWS Season | Last UWS Season | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AFC Ann Arbor | Concordia University Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, Michigan | 2014 | 2019 | 2019 | Joined USL W League |
Atlanta Panthers SC | Franklin Gateway Sports Complex | Marietta, Georgia | 2016 | 2021 | 2022 | |
BC United | Endicott, New York | 2023 | 2023 | |||
FC Austin Elite | Round Rock Multipurpose Complex | Round Rock, Texas | 2016 | 2018 | 2022 | Folded |
Bat Country FC | Round Rock Multipurpose Complex | Round Rock, Texas | 2017 | 2020 | 2021 | Joined WPSL |
Brooklyn City FC | Steinberg Athletic Complex | Brooklyn, New York
|
2017 | 2020 | 2022 | Joined NY Metropolitan Women's Soccer League |
Chicago Mustangs
|
Harper College | Palatine, Illinois | 2012 | 2021 | 2022 | |
Colorado Pride | Washburn Field | Colorado Springs, Colorado | 1994 | 2016 | 2019 | Joined WPSL |
Colorado Storm | Sports Authority Stadium | Parker, Colorado | 2014 | 2016 | 2016 | |
Connecticut Fusion | Farmington Sports Arena | Farmington, Connecticut | 2018 | 2018 | 2022 | |
Dallas International FC | Greenhill School Field | Addison, Texas | 2020 | 2020 | 2020 | |
Detroit City FC | Keyworth Stadium | Hamtramck, Michigan | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Joined USL W League |
Detroit Sun FC | Ultimate Soccer Arenas
|
Pontiac, Michigan | 2016 | 2017 | 2019 | |
El Paso Surf | Socorro Athletic Complex | El Paso, Texas
|
2018 | 2018 | 2019 | Joined WPSL |
FC Birmingham | TBA | Birmingham, Alabama | 2020 | 2022 | 2022 | Joined WPSL |
FC Indiana
|
Newton Park | Lakeville, Indiana | 2003 | 2017 | 2017 | Independent |
FC Wichita | Stryker Soccer Complex | Wichita, Kansas | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
Fort Wayne United FC Gryphons | Hefner Stadium
|
Fort Wayne, Indiana | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |
Genesee FC | Atwood Stadium | Flint, Michigan | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | |
Gretna Elite Academy
|
UNO Caniglia Field | Omaha, Nebraska | 2018 | 2021 | 2022 | |
HAR FC | Houston Sports Park | Houston, Texas | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | |
Houston Aces | Houston Sports Park | Houston, Texas | 2012 | 2016 | 2019 | Joined WPSL |
KC Courage
|
Rockhurst University | Kansas City, Missouri | 2014 | 2021 | 2022 | Joined WPSL |
Keystone FC | TBD | Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania | 2022 | 2023 | ||
Kongo SC | Spence Eccles Ogden Community Sports Complex | Ogden, Utah | 2013 | 2021 | 2022 | |
LA Galaxy OC | Championship Soccer Stadium | Irvine, California | 2018 | 2018 | 2020 | |
Lancaster Inferno FC | Pucillo Field | Millersville, Pennsylvania | 2008 | 2016 | 2023 | |
Lansing United | East Lansing Soccer Complex | Lansing, Michigan | 2018 | 2018 | 2021 | |
Livonia City FC | Schoolcraft College | Livonia, Michigan | 2015 | 2023[46] | 2023 | |
Long Island Rough Riders
|
Hofstra University Soccer Stadium | Hempstead, New York | 2003 | 2016 | 2021 | Joined USL W League |
Midwest United FC | Aquinas College | Kentwood, Michigan | 2016 | 2017 | 2021 | Joined USL W League |
MSC Peoria
|
Eastside Centre | Pekin, Illinois | 2020 | 2020 | 2021 | |
Muskegon Risers SC
|
Kehren Stadium | Muskegon, Michigan | 2014 | 2020 | 2022 | |
New Jersey Teamsterz FC | Don Ahern Veterans Stadium | Bayonne, New Jersey | 2020 | 2021 | 2021 | |
New York Magic | Mazzella Field | New Rochelle, New York | 1997 | 2016 | 2017 | [[United Premier Soccer League#Women[14]|UPSL Women]] |
New York Surf | Reinhart Field | Bronx, New York | 2015 | 2017 | 2018 | |
North Jersey Valkyries | DePaul Catholic High School | Wayne, New Jersey | 2009 | 2016 | 2016 | |
North Texas Image | Old Panther Field | Duncanville, Texas | 1964 | 2016 | 2018 | |
Puerto Rico Pride FC | Lake Brantley High School | Altamonte Springs, Florida | 2017 | 2020 | 2020 | |
Queen City United SC | University of Regina Field | Regina, Saskatchewan | 1987 | 2019 | 2020 | |
RBFC Elite | TBD | Riverside, Illinois | 2022 | 2023 | ||
Real Salt Lake Women | Ute Field | Salt Lake City, Utah | 2008 | 2016 | 2018 | Folded after Utah Royals FC Reserves formed
|
Rochester Lady Lancers | Marina Auto Stadium
|
Rochester, New York | 2017 | 2017 | 2022 | |
SASA Impact FC
|
Riel Recreation Park | St. Albert, Alberta | 2021 | 2021 | 2022 | Joined St. Albert Women’s Soccer League |
Scorpions SC | Medway High School | Medway, Massachusetts | 2021 | 2021 | 2023 | |
Side FC 92 | Case Community RiverCity Parks | Tulsa, Oklahoma | 1992 | 2021 | 2022 | |
SoCal Crush FC | Crescenta Valley High School | La Crescenta-Montrose, California | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |
Sporting Nebraska FC | TBD | Papillion, Nebraska | 2008 | 2022 | 2022 | |
Springfield Demize
|
Cooper Sports Complex | Springfield, Missouri | 2003 | 2021 | 2021 | |
St. Louis Scott Gallagher
|
West Community Stadium | St. Louis, Missouri | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
Syracuse Development Academy | Solvay High School | Solvay, New York | 2004 | 2019 | 2021 | |
Toledo Villa FC | Northview High School
|
Rossford, Ohio | 2017 | 2017 | 2017 | |
Vikings Gold | Lake Tahoe, California | 2023 | 2023 | |||
Vikings Northstars | Lake Tahoe, California | 2023 | 2023 | |||
Western New York Flash | All-High Stadium | Buffalo, New York | 2008 | 2017 | 2018 |
UWS National Championship
Season | Champions | Score | Runner–up |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | Santa Clarita Blue Heat | 2–1 (AET) | New Jersey Copa FC |
2017 | Grand Rapids FC | 3–1 (AET) | Santa Clarita Blue Heat |
2018 | Houston Aces | 1–0 (AET) | Lancaster Inferno FC |
2019 | LA Galaxy OC | 1–0 | Calgary Foothills WFC |
2020 | Season cancelled because of COVID-19 Pandemic[47] Regional Showcase Tournaments were held. | ||
2021 | Santa Clarita Blue Heat | 5–0 | Connecticut Fusion |
2022 | Chicago Mustangs | 2-1 | Calgary Foothills WFC |
2023[48] | Michigan Jaguars FC | 0–0 (4–2 PK) | Santa Clarita Blue Heat |
See also
Notes
- ^ UWS League One
References
- ^ a b Conor, Ryan (December 15, 2015). "After struggles with former league, New England Mutiny helping form new United Women's Soccer league". MassLive. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
- ^ O'Connell, Brian (December 16, 2015). "United Women's Soccer Launches w/ NE Mutiny on Board". MassLive. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
- ^ a b "New league, new coach: Former BYU-Hawaii soccer coach to guide RSL Women". Sean Walker. KSL. January 23, 2016. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
- ^ a b "WPSL 2015". BigSoccer Forum.
- ^ a b NewEnglandMutiny (July 17, 2015). "New England Mutiny's WPSL East semifinal on Saturday moved to Connecticut". MassLive. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
- ^ "WPSL 2015 playoffs". BigSoccer Forum.
- ^ "W-League". Archived from the original on November 19, 2015.
- ^ "New women's league plans to launch". Paul Kennedy. SoccerAmerica. December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
- ^ "Finding A Footprint: United Women's Soccer will be an East-West loop". Charles Cuttone. BigAppleSoccer.com. February 19, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
- ^ "UWS To Form National Pro-Am Women's Soccer League In 2016". December 16, 2015.
- ^ "United Women's Soccer Announces West Conference". United Women's Soccer. February 5, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
- ^ "March 2016". Facebook. Laval Comètes. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- ^ "To say we're unhappy". Twitter. UWS Soccer. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- ^ "Grand Rapids FC launches women's team for 2017 season". November 2016.
- ^ "United Women's Soccer announces four-team expansion". December 12, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
- ^ "Michigan Legends F.C. Added To Midwest Conference". January 5, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- ^ "Indy Premier Soccer Club Joins United Women's Soccer". February 12, 2017. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
- ^ "UWS East Welcomes Syracuse Development Academy". February 11, 2017. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
- ^ Admin (February 18, 2017). "So Cal Crush F.C. Joins United Women's Soccer". uwssoccer.com.
- ^ Admin (March 7, 2017). "Western New York Flash Join United Women's Soccer". United Women's Soccer. Retrieved March 8, 2017.
- ^ Lewis, Michael (April 8, 2017). "IN DUPLICATE: Lancers return with men's and women's teams". Front Row Soccer. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
- ^ "Home | Women's Premier Soccer League".
- ^ "United Women's Soccer Expands To Southeast". United Women's Soccer. February 7, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ "United Women's Soccer Launches League Two". United Women's Soccer. February 7, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ "UWS League Two website". United Women's Soccer. February 7, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
- ^ Kassouf, Jeff (February 19, 2020). "UWS League Two will provide more playing opportunities… and implement promotion/relegation – Equalizer Soccer". Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ "UWS League Two Midwest Conference". United Women's Soccer. February 22, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ "Albany Rush Added to East Conference". January 5, 2021.
- ^ Ward, Jonathan (February 22, 2024). "EXPANSION NEWS: Back Mountain Torrent Promoted to UWS". Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- ^ "Connecticut Rush UWS | CT Rush Soccer". www.leagueathletics.com. Archived from the original on February 18, 2021.
- ^ "FC 1872 Launch". March 28, 2023.
- ^ Ward, Jonathan (January 22, 2024). "EXPANSION NEWS: Hudson Valley Crusaders Joins United Women's Soccer". UWSSoccer.com. United Women's Soccer. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
- ^ Ward, Jonathan (January 26, 2024). "EXPANSION NEWS: Steel United New Jersey Joins UWS League One". UWSSoccer.com. United Women's Soccer. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
- ^ "We are excited to join the UWS for the summer of 2023". www.ChicagoRushSoccer.com. Chicago Rush soccer. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ "UWS welcomes Cincinnati Sirens". www.UWSSoccer.com. United Women's Soccer. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ Ward, Jonathan (January 25, 2024). "EXPANSION NEWS: E14 Joins UWS; Elite Soccer Performance To Take Players to the Next Level". UWSSoccer.com. United Women's Soccer. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
- ^ Ward, Jonathan (March 12, 2024). "EXPANSION NEWS: Firebirds SC Join United Women's Soccer". UWSSoccer.com. United Women's Soccer. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ "The Michigan Burn Soccer Clug announces new UWS Pro-Am team". www.MichiganBurnSoccer.com. Michigan Burn Soccer. December 9, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ Ward, Jonathan (January 25, 2024). "EXPANSION NEWS: Pre-Professional Soccer Returns to Grand Rapids as Pass FC Joins UWS". UWSSoccer.com. United Women's Soccer. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
- ^ Ward, Jonathan (March 8, 2024). "EXPANSION NEWS: Rockford Raptors Join United Women's Soccer". UWSSoccer.com. United Women's Soccer. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ "EXPANSION NEWS: Troy City WFC Joins for 2024 as UWS Midwest Expansion Franchise". UWSSoccer.com. United Women's Soccer. January 31, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ Ward, Jonathan (January 26, 2024). "EXPANSION NEWS: Viva Las Vegas! UWS Expands in the West". UWSSoccer.com. United Women's Soccer. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
- ^ "UWS expansion in Nevada". www.RenoVikings.com. Reno Vikings. February 21, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ "Expansion News: MSI Soccer Joins UWS2 for 2024". United Women's Soccer. March 4, 2024. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ Ward, Jonathan (February 29, 2024). "Expansion News: Steel United Hudson Valley Joins UWS2". United Women's Soccer. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
- ^ Lightner, Ben. "LCFC Joins United Women's Soccer League One". www.LivoniaCityFC.com. United Women's Soccer. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ "UWS Provides Update on 2020 Season". United Women's Soccer. June 9, 2020.
- ^ Vigil-Zuniga, Justin (July 25, 2023). "Jaguars beat Blue Heat in penalties for UWS title". The Santa Clarita Valley Signal. Santa Clarita, California. Retrieved August 6, 2023.