Women's Premier Soccer League

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Women's Premier Soccer League
Wpsllogo.png
Founded1998
CountryUnited States
Other club(s) fromCanada
ConfederationCONCACAF
Divisions4 regions with 17 conferences and 13 divisions
Number of teams135
Level on pyramid2 (Provisional)
Current championsNo national winner
(2021)
Most championshipsCalifornia Storm
(3 titles)
TV partnersEleven Sports
Websitewpslsoccer.com

The Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) is an amateur women's soccer league in the United States and Canada.[1] It is the top amateur league for women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, below only National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). The WPSL is the longest-running active women's soccer league as it enters its 23rd season in 2021 – the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The WPSL is also the largest women's soccer league in the United States, North America and the world with 135 active teams.

The WPSL started as the Western Division of the W-League, before breaking away to form its own league in 1998. The league is sanctioned by the United States Adult Soccer Association, an affiliate of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). WPSL players consists of collegiate and post-collegiate players, who currently or have played across all divisions of the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA. Former players of the WPSL have taken their playing careers to the next level by signing professional in the NWSL and top leagues overseas. WPSL Alumnae have also reached international status by making international rosters seen in the FIFA Women's World Cup and the Olympics. Notable alumnae include Brandi Chastain, Kristine Lilly, Heather Mitts, Julie Foudy, Shannon Boxx, and Leslie Osborne.

When Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) suspended play in 2012, WPSL moved forward with its ambitions toward professionalism and created the WPSL Elite League.[2] The Elite League was a pro-am league, with at least four fully professional teams, including three former WPS teams. The Elite league operated for just the 2012 season, disbanding in 2013 with the formation of the NWSL, which the three former WPS teams joined.

In 2021, the WPSL announced its second division, , which is scheduled to begin play in mid-2021.[3]

WPSL champions[]

Season Champions Runners-up
1998 Silicon Valley Red Devils Auto Trader Select
1999 California Storm San Diego Auto Trader
2000 San Diego W.F.C. California Storm
2001 Ajax of Southern California San Diego W.F.C.
2002 California Storm Ajax America Women
2003 Utah Spiders California Storm
2004 California Storm New England Mutiny
2005 F.C. Indiana California Storm
2006 Long Island Fury River Cities FC
2007 F.C. Indiana New England Mutiny
2008 Ajax America Women Arizona Rush
2009 Long Island Fury Ajax America Women
2010 Boston Aztec Ajax America Women
2011 Orange County Waves Chicago Red Stars
2012 Gulf Coast Texans Boston Aztec
2013 San Diego WFC SeaLions Houston Aces
2014 Beach Futbol Club Houston Aces
2015 Chicago Red Stars Reserves SoCal FC
2016 Boston Breakers Reserves San Diego WFC SeaLions
2017 Fire & Ice SC Gulf Coast Texans
2018 Seattle Sounders Women Pensacola FC Women
2019 Pensacola FC Women Utah Royals FC Reserves
2020 Canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021 No National Champion

Staff[]

Executive committee[]

  • Sean Jones – president
  • Rich Sparling – commissioner
  • DeBray Ayala – vice-president
  • Brad Lund – vice-president

Front office[]

  • Beth Patterson – team services director
  • Nichole Singleton – communications director
  • Jeramie McPeek – social media director
  • Alex Simpson - team services manager
  • Dr. Vytas Ringus – medical director
  • David Simmons – referee coordinator

Associate commissioners[]

  • Jessica Mendez – east region
  • Kendra Halterman – south region
  • Matt Homonoff – central region
  • Macy Jo Harrison – west region

[4][5]

Former teams[]

  • ACF Torino USA Maryland (2014–2015)
  • ASA Charge FC Maryland
  • Ajax America Women California
  • Albuquerque Crush New Mexico (2002)
  • Albuquerque Lady Asylum New Mexico (2007–2008)
  • American Eagles Soccer Club Texas
  • Arizona Sahuaros Arizona (2003)
  • Arkansas Comets Arkansas
  • Atlanta Silverbacks Women Georgia
  • Auto Trader Select SC California (1998–1999)
  • Bay Area Breeze California (2011–2012) – Left to join W-League
  • Boston Aztec Massachusetts
  • Brevard County Cocoa Expos Florida (2008)
  • Chattanooga FC Women Tennessee (2014-2018, on hiatus for 2019, returning in 2020)[6]
  • CFC Passion Connecticut
  • CU Diamonds Washington
  • Central California Gold California (2004)
  • Central California HEAT California
  • Cincinnati Lady Saints Ohio (2014–15)
  • Clermont Phoenix Florida
  • Club Tijuana USA Baja California
  • Colorado Springs United Colorado (2007–2008, Colorado Springs Sabers 2006)
  • Elk Grove Pride California (2002–2005)
  • Emerald City FC Washington
  • Empire Revs WNY New York (2013–2015)
  • Everton FC America Texas (2005)
  • Eugene Timbers FC Azul Oregon
  • FC Austin Texas
  • FC Metro Magic Missouri (2009–2010, FC St. Louis 2006–2008)
  • FC Milwaukee Nationals Wisconsin
  • FC Sacramento Thunder California (1998–1999)
  • FC St. George Utah
  • FC Ulindi Pennsylvania
  • FC Virginia Virginia (2006)
  • FC Westchester New York
  • Foothill FC California (2000)
  • Fort Lauderdale Fusion Florida (2006)
  • Fort Wayne FC Indiana
  • Fresno FC Ladies California (2018)
  • Georgia Revolution Georgia
  • Houston Aces Texas – moved to United Women's Soccer
  • Houston Stars Texas (2003–2005)
  • Houston Tornadoes Texas (2003)
  • Indiana United Indiana
  • L.A. Salsa California
  • Lancaster Inferno (WPSL) Pennsylvania – moved to United Women's Soccer
  • Las Vegas Shooters Nevada (1998–1999, 2001)
  • Las Vegas Tabagators Nevada (2004–2006)
  • FC Lehigh Valley Lady Sonic Pennsylvania – Left to join W-League
  • Lions Swarm Maryland
  • Liverpool Lady Warriors Texas
  • Madison 56ers Wisconsin
  • Maryland Capitols FC Maryland
  • Maryland Pride Maryland (2004–2007, 2009–2010)
  • Massachusetts Stingers Massachusetts (2004–2007)
  • Memphis Mercury Tennessee (2006)
  • Michigan Chill SC Michigan (2016)
  • Michigan Lions Michigan
  • Michigan Phoenix Michigan (2006)
  • Mississippi Fuego FC Mississippi
  • Mississippi Fuego FC U23 Mississippi (2012)
  • New England Mutiny Massachusetts – moved to United Women's Soccer
  • New England Mutiny Reserves Massachusetts
  • New Jersey Blaze New Jersey
  • New York Vendaval New York (2003)
  • Norcal Shockwaves California (1998–1999)
  • North Shore Girls Soccer Club British Columbia (2016–2017)
  • Northampton Laurels Pennsylvania (2006–2008)
  • Northern California Blues California (2003–2004)
  • Oregon Rush Oregon
  • Orlando Falcons Florida (2006–2007)
  • Ohio Galaxies Ohio
  • Ohio Premier Women's SC Ohio
  • Orange County Waves California (2011)
  • PAO ST. Louis Missouri (2011) no games played
  • Palm City FC Florida
  • Philadelphia Fever Pennsylvania
  • Phoenix U23 Arizona (2012)
  • Pines 1779 Texas
  • Portland Rain Oregon
  • Quad City Eagles Illinois
  • Real Del Mar California (1998)
  • Real Salt Lake Women Utah – moved to United Women's Soccer
  • Real Shore FC New Jersey (2007)
  • Reno Zephyrs Nevada (1999)
  • Rhode Island Rays Rhode Island (2003–2006)
  • River Cities FC Missouri (2006–2007)
  • Rochester Reign New York (2004)
  • San Francisco Skyhawks California (1998–1999)
  • San Joaquin Valley Quest California (2003)
  • St. George United Utah
  • St. Louis Archers Missouri (2005)
  • St. Louis Scott Gallagher Elite Missouri (2009–2010)
  • Silicon Valley Red Devils California (1998–2000)
  • Spokane Shine Washington
  • Sonoma County Sol California (2006–2008)
  • Sonoran Thunder Arizona (2002–2003)
  • South Florida Strikers Florida
  • Steel City Sparks Pennsylvania (2004–05)
  • Tampa Bay Elite Florida (2006–2007)
  • Tennessee Lady Blues Tennessee (2006)
  • Texas Football Club Texas
  • Tidewater Sharks Virginia
  • Tkaronto Justice New York (2015)
  • Tri-City Celtics New York
  • United FC Binghamton New York
  • Utah Starzz Utah
  • Vancouver Island FC British Columbia (2019)
  • Vancouver Angels British Columbia (2000)
  • TSS FC Rovers British Columbia (2018-2020)
  • West Texas Pride FC Texas
  • Windsor Essex FC Ontario (2015)

See also[]

  • NWSL
  • WPSL Elite League

References[]

  1. ^ "Federal City FC Women bring WPSL to Washington, DC metro area". SoccerWire. May 6, 2014. Archived from the original on July 14, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2020. The WPSL is the top women's amateur operating league in the United States. Sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), the WPSL is considered the 2nd tier of women's soccer within the United States behind the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
  2. ^ Kassouf, Jeff (February 9, 2012). "WPSL Elite League launches for 2012 with Flash, Breakers, Red Stars, FC Indiana". equalizersoccer.com. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  3. ^ "WPSL UNVEILS SECOND LEAGUE SET TO COMPETE IN 2021". www.wpslsoccer.com. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  4. ^ "Staff Directory". www.wpslsoccer.com. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  5. ^ Scavuzzo, Christine (October 24, 2017). "WPSL's new commissioner Sparling takes over". GoalNation.com. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  6. ^ "The 2018 year in review: Looking to the future". Chattanooga FC Women. January 16, 2019. Retrieved March 20, 2019.

External links[]

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