USL W League
The USL W League is a women's soccer league in the United States. It began play in May 2022 and follows the USL W-League, a similar league that existed from 1995 to 2015. It is currently not sanctioned by the US Soccer Federation, meaning that it does not have a position in the US soccer pyramid. As of the 2025 season, the current champions are Utah United.
History
The league was originally announced in 2021 by the United Soccer League with eight clubs, six of which would be women's sides for existing men's USL teams, and two of which would be entirely new franchises. At launch, the USL said the inaugural season would include at least 30 teams. The inaugural season began on May 6, 2022 with 44 teams across 20 states. By the 2023 season the league had grown to 65 teams, and by 2025 it had 93 teams. The growth of the league resulted in the development of a four-conference system, which was most recently divided into 15 divisions.Format
In the regular season of 10-12 games, teams play other teams within their division. Divisional standings are ordered by points won, with three points for a win, one point for a draw, and no points for a loss; if two teams are tied on points, these tiebreakers are used:- Head-to-head record based on total points in league games.
- Total points per game in league games.
- Goal difference in league games. If the number of games is unequal, the average goal difference is used.
- Goals scored in league games.
- Total points within division. If the number of games is unequal, then point percentages are used.
- Point percentage outside division in league games.
- FIFA Fair Play – team with fewest disciplinary points per game in league games.
- Lottery.