National Women's Soccer League

For the former women's soccer league in Australia, see Women's National Soccer League.

National Women's Soccer League
FoundedNovember 21, 2012; 12 years ago (2012-11-21)
CountryUnited States
ConfederationCONCACAF (North America)
Number of teams14
Level on pyramid1
League cup(s)
International cup(s)CONCACAF W Champions Cup
Current championsNJ/NY Gotham FC
(1st title)
(2023)
Current NWSL ShieldOrlando Pride
(1st shield)
(2024)
Most championshipsPortland Thorns FC
(3 titles)
Most NWSL ShieldsNorth Carolina Courage
Seattle Reign FC
(3 shields each)
Most appearancesLauren Barnes (200)
(as of March 16, 2024)
Top goalscorerLynn Williams (79)
(as of May 19, 2024)
TV partnersCBS Sports
ESPN/ABC
Prime Video
Scripps Sports
Websitenwslsoccer.com
Current: 2024 NWSL season

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is a professional women's soccer league at the top of the United States league system (alongside the USL Super League).[1] Headquartered in New York City,[2] it is owned by the teams and, until 2020, was under a management contract with the United States Soccer Federation.[3]

The NWSL was established in 2012 as the successor to Women's Professional Soccer (WPS; 2007–2012), which was itself the successor to Women's United Soccer Association (2001–2003). The league began play in 2013 with eight teams, four of which were former members of WPS (Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, Sky Blue FC, and Western New York Flash).[4][5][6] As of 2024, there are 14 teams across the United States.[7][8]

Through the 2023 season, six teams (one now defunct) have been crowned NWSL Champions, awarded to the playoff winner, and five teams (one defunct) have claimed the NWSL Shield, awarded to the team in first place at the end of the regular season. The current (2023) NWSL champions are NJ/NY Gotham FC, and the current shield winners (2024) are the Orlando Pride.[9]

  1. ^ "New women's top tier league given green light by US Soccer". February 9, 2024.
  2. ^ Silverman, Alex (July 13, 2022). "NWSL moving HQ to N.Y. from Chicago". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference ussf_out was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Will NWSL be a success? Well ..." espnW. April 11, 2013. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  5. ^ Whiteside, Kelly (November 21, 2012). "Women's pro soccer league to debut in U.S. next year". USA Today. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  6. ^ Mayers, Joshua. "Seattle will have team in new women's professional league owned by Bill Predmore". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  7. ^ "National Women's Soccer League Awards Expansion Team Rights to Utah". www.NWSLSocer.com. National Women's Soccer League. March 11, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  8. ^ "National Women's Soccer League Announces Expansion to Bay Area, California". www.NWSLSocer.com. National Women's Soccer League. April 3, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  9. ^ NWSL (October 7, 2024). "Orlando Pride Claims 2024 NWSL Shield, Presented by CarMax | National Women's Soccer League Official Site". NWSL. Retrieved October 7, 2024.