Know Your Women’s Soccer Leagues: U.S. Edition

There are many different ways to go pro in the United States since there are many different leagues and levels–more than you might guess. Organized women’s soccer leagues only really became a thing in the 1970s, but since then, there have been a plethora of different leagues, both professional and amateur. Since some have folded since their inception and some are thriving, it isn’t easy to keep track of them all. Here’s a guide to know your US women’s soccer leagues. 

If you’re interested in keeping track of women’s soccer, check out Forza Football. Forza allows you to keep tabs on the NWSL, NCAA, international leagues, and more by providing you with live scores, match info, news, and more!

Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA) – folded 

The Women’s United Soccer Association was founded in 2000 after the United States won the World Cup in 1999, and investors saw an interest in the women’s sport. The league started with eight teams and was the first-ever pro women’s league in the US. However, the league folded in 2003 after suffering financial losses. 

Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) – folded

After the WUSA ended, a committee formed to create a new league. So, Women’s Professional Soccer was established and ran from 2008 to 2012. It had seven teams in its inaugural season. Some teams now in the NWSL got their roots in the WPS, like Sky Blue FC, now Gotham FC.

National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) 

The National Women’s Soccer League is probably the US’s most well-known women’s soccer league. The league planned to launch with 12 to 16 teams, but when it was founded in 2012, it had eight. When the league started, it had deals with the US, Canada, and Mexico national soccer federations to allocate players to drive high-profile players into the league. The NWSL has had a couple of hardships–with some teams folding over the years–but it is the longest-running pro US women’s league and plans to expand in 2024.

Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL)

The Women’s Premier Soccer League is the biggest amateur soccer league in the United States. Initially, the league started as the United States Interregional Women’s League in 1195, but the WPSL broke off and had its inaugural season in 1998. Currently, the league has over 100 teams across the United States. WPSL players are collegiate, post-collegiate, international, or stand-out prep athletes. 

United Women’s Soccer (UWS)

United Women’s Soccer had its inaugural season in 2016 and is in the same tier as WPSL. The pro-am league was founded after the W-League folded in the 2010s. UWS had 11 teams to begin with, but doubled after its first year and now has three conferences: East, Midwest, and West.

United States Adult Women’s Soccer (USASA)

United States Adult Women’s Soccer is an amateur organization that began in 1996. It has 55 state organizations and teams competing in regional and national leagues. In addition, USASA holds the National Women’s Amateur and a Championship tournament open to USASA amateur teams.

Featured image via @WPSL on Instagram

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