The list of past USL W League Champions is impressive: 2022, South Georgia Tormenta FC; 2023, Indy Eleven; 2024, North Carolina Courage U23s; 2025, Utah United - in an even more expanded and talent-laden league, who will turn heads and flip the script to become the League Winners in 2026?

With the help of our friends, Protagonist and the W League Show bring you our annual USL W League season preview by taking a look at the games we are most looking forward to. There are so many great teams involved, while we can’t include everyone, just know that if you aren’t on the list, it doesn’t mean we don’t value what you’ll contribute to another successful W League season.

The season opens up this weekend with a salvo of games:

05/09 - Monterey Bay Sirens vs Stockton Cargo
05/09 - Chattanooga Red Wolves vs One Knoxville SC
05/10 - West Seattle Rhodies vs Tacoma Stars
05/10 - Oakland Soul vs Marin FC
05/10 - Los Angeles SC vs SoCal Reds

But the first game of the year is…

FC Olympia vs Snohomish United

Sat, 05/09 - 2:30p PT / 5:30p ET at Regional Athletic Complex in Olympia, WA

Oly! Oly! Oly! FC Olympia, winners of the NW Division in ‘23, ‘24, and 2025 have had soccer in the Pacific Northwest on lock before they even joined USL W League four years ago. They’ve seen teams come and go, so when they provide First Kick for the league on Saturday, they won’t sweat newcomers Snohomish United… they won’t take them lightly, but they will be prepared and should start the season in style.

by Joshua Duder - Protagonist Soccer

Indy Eleven vs Racing Louisville

Wed, 05/13 - 4:00p PT / 7:00p ET at Grand Park Event Center in Westfield, IN

LIPAFC rival Racing Louisville u23s come to town to start the season. With a road heavy start, getting a win early at home will prove vital in their quest to return to the playoffs after missing out for the first time in team history in 2025. This match will set the tone in a smaller 4 team Valley Division.

Brett Mullenix - Protagonist Soccer / KIT SZN / The USL Show

Asheville City SC vs Swarm FC

Sat, 05/16, 12:30p PT / 3:30p ET at Greenwood Field - UNC Asheville

Asheville City SC were runners up in the South Central Division in 2024, then division winners last year. The Blue Haze made it all the way to the league semifinals, where they were knocked out by former champions, NC Courage U23s. With division rivals, Greenville Liberty, not on the schedule, the Southern Soccer Academy Swarm were the next highest finishers in 2025 and join Chattanooga Red Wolves, Birmingham Legion, and One Knox SC looking to challenge Asheville City SC for the division title and a playoff spot.

by Joshua Duder - Protagonist Soccer

Hartford Athletic vs Vermont Green

Tues, 05/19 - 4:00p PT / 7:00p ET at Trinity Health Stadium in Hartford, CT

Both Hartford Athletic and Vermont Green have an established history on the men’s side of the competition in USL. Now, however, both clubs will establish women’s teams to compete in the W League, where both have been assigned to the Northeast Division. It is a perfect occasion for the clubs to build up their brands by joining the burgeoning women’s soccer movement in the United States and to kick off another local rivalry for fans in a hotbed region!

by James Knowles - RBLR Sports

Colorado Storm vs Utah United

Fri, 05/22 - 7:30p PT / 10:30p ET at West Turf - Regis University in Denver, CO

The defending champion of the W League goes on the road against their strongest division rival. Utah United won the Mountain Division last season, but not without Storm putting up a fight. Storm actually won the final regular season of this matchup, though Utah won the head-to-head battle, 2-1 (they played three times). This should be a great test for United so early in the season, setting the tone for their defending run.

by Dan Vaughn - Protagonist Soccer / The W League Show / Super Show

Rally Madison vs Minnesota Aurora

Sat, 05/23 - 3:00p PT / 6:00p ET at Breese Stevens Field in Madison, WI

We’ve been talking about women’s soccer in Madison since the Mingo men first took the field in 2019, and it’s finally here! Plus, it’ll be just the second game of 2026 at Breese Stevens, so Madison soccer supporters will be hungry. And on top of that, we’re hosting maybe the best USLW franchise, Minnesota Aurora, which has never not won the division. I hear they have quite a devoted set of supporters, many of whom I hope will make the drive down for this one. It’ll be the perfect moment for a big upset!

by Rob Chappell - 608 Soccer

TLH Reckoning vs Sporting Jax

Sat, 05/23, 4:00p PT / 7:00p ET at Gene Cox Stadium in Tallahassee, FL

Tallahassee Reckoning were new to the league in 2024 and finished midtable in the Southeast Division; however, they made massive gains, finished 2nd last year and earned a playoff spot. Sporting Jax finished 1st in their debut season and despite earning a playoff spot, joined TLH Reckoning in getting knocked out of the first round. This year, these two sides will battle so see who takes that number one spot!

by Joshua Duder - Protagonist Soccer

Lancaster Inferno vs Eagle FC

Sun, 05/24 - 4:00p PT / 7:00p ET at Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster, PA

Since joining the USL W in 2024, Lancaster Inferno has provided the perfect in-state rival to Mechanicsburg-based Eagle FC. Both clubs ended up making the playoffs in that first year together. But last year Inferno had to watch from a distant 3rd place as Eagle FC topped the division. This is the first of three matches between these two clubs this season.

by John Howard-Fusco - Protagonist Soccer / The W League Show / Super Show

Lonestar SC Austin vs AHFC Royals

Sat, 05/30 - 5:30p PT / 8:30p ET at St. Andrew's Field in Austin, TX

This is a grudge match. These two teams regularly play in all the same leagues, their players are familiar with each other, and the foul from 5 years ago is remembered. Lonestar finished first last season, and Royals finished second. These are two top talented teams producing quality players. Any match up between them is a battle of the titans.

by Danielle Gawronski - Protagonist Soccer / The W League Show / Super Show

California Storm vs Stockton Cargo

Wed, 06/03 - 7:00p PT / 10:00p ET at Davis Legacy Soccer Complex in Davis, CA

If you listen to the W Show, you know that myself and John Howard-Fusco are massive fans of the NorCal division and the clubs that make it one of the best divisions in the entire league. Cal Storm is a legacy club and Stockton Cargo is an up-and-coming member that is quickly becoming a force in the area. Love this matchup and every time they meet, it’s a massive battle.

by Dan Vaughn - Protagonist Soccer / The W League Show / Super Show

Detroit City FC vs AFC Ann Arbor

Wed, 06/03, 4:30p PT / 7:30p ET at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, MI

Division rivals since the league began, Detroit City FC have won their division the last two seasons. However, AFC Ann Arbor did the league double over DCFC last season; 2-1 at home and 2-1 away to Keyworth. While the two will clash THREE times in the regular season this year, this will be the only game at home for DCFC and an excellent chance to get some revenge in front of the fabulous NGS.

by Joshua Duder - Protagonist Soccer

Richmond Ivy vs Annapolis Blues

Thu, 6/4, 4:00p PT / 7:00p ET at City Stadium in Richmond, VA

Annapolis took the Chesapeake Division by storm in 2025, finishing 10 points clear at the top. The Richmond Ivy were the only team to take a point off the Blues, in a 3-3 draw at City Stadium. The Ivy will be keen to top that result and record their first win against the Blues at home in the middle of a stretch of away matches.

by Kate McCarthy - River City 93

Santa Clarita Blue Heat vs Capo FC

Sat 06/13, 6pm PT / 9pm ET at Masters University in Santa Clarita, CA

SC Blue Heat re-joined the USL system in 2025, won their SoCal Division and went out in the Conference Semifinals. While they were never USL W League Champions before, they were members of the first iteration of the league, from 2008 to 2015. Then SC Blue Heat joined UWS, won the league three times from 2016 to 2024 and were runners-up twice. All this team knows how to do is win. Capo FC also joined the league last year, and finished 2nd in the SoCal Division, but missed out on the playoffs. If they want to steal this division from SC Blue Heat, they MUST win this game.

by Joshua Duder - Protagonist Soccer

Portland Cherry Bombs vs Salmon Bay FC

Sun, 06/14 - 3:00p PT / 6:00p ET at Lents Field in Portland, OR

I picked this game for vibes and name alone. This game should give the Bombs a month of playing time to come together as an expansion team with the best name in soccer against a mid-table finishing team last year in another vibes club, Salmon Bay FC. This should give a good feel for the PACNW clubs. You love to see women’s soccer continue to grow.

by Danielle Gawronski - Protagonist Soccer / The W League Show / Super Show

Vermont Green vs AC Connecticut

Fri, 06/19 - 4:00p PT / 7:00p ET at Virtue Field at Archie Post Athletic Complex in Burlington, VT

Vermont Green is launching their women’s program this season and there’s plenty of reasons to assume that the fans will show up like they always do for the Green. I love this matchup because it’s two states that everyone confuses on the map, battling it out for regional superiority. I think the stands will be packed and loud, making for a great match to see!

by Dan Vaughn - Protagonist Soccer / The W League Show / Super Show

South Georgia Tormenta vs NC Courage U23

Sun, 06/21 - 4:30p PT / 7:30p ET at Tormenta Stadium in Statesboro, GA

Arguably the most successful USL-W team in league history travels to face the inaugural champion in the two teams’ only matchup this season. The Courage have been in three straight title games, winning in 2024 while finishing second in 2023 and 2025. Tormenta, winners of the 2022 title, traditionally put together a roster that competes for division titles. It would not be a surprise if this late season matchup determines the South Atlantic Division winner.

by Luke Martin -

Annapolis Blues vs Virginia Beach United

Sun, 06/21, 2pm PT / 5pm ET at Navy-Marine Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, MD

There are big soccer things happening in Annapolis; great crowds at the Navy-Marine Memorial Stadium, and great results in the fixture list. Head Coach Ashley Kennedy has the women running like a well-oiled machine, earning 9 wins and 1 draw from their inaugural season and going out in penalties to NC Courage U23s in the Conference Finals. Virginia Beach United also joined in 2025 and did an excellent job to finish 2nd in their division, but the 4 losses last year (including a loss to these Blues) needs to be tightened up, if they hope to challenge the Callinectes Sapidus for a playoff spot.

by Joshua Duder - Protagonist Soccer

Oakland Soul vs Monterey Sirens

Sun, 06/21, 3pm PT / 6pm ET at Merritt College in Oakland, CA

Oakland Soul began their journey in the USL W League back in 2023, when they finished 2nd in the NorCal Division but were knocked out of the playoffs by division rivals, SF Glens. In 2024, they finished 2nd again but were knocked out in the first round of playoffs by FC Olympia from Washington. Last year, Soul SC finished 2nd for a third time, but did not qualify for the playoffs - with a move to the Super League in the distance (contingent on PSR) look for Oakland to make 2026 their season to shine! Newcomers Monterey Sirens may not play nice, however, and lean into their role as NorCal rivals.

by Joshua Duder - Protagonist Soccer

River Light FC vs Sioux Falls City FC

Fri, 06/26, 5pm PT / 8pm ET at Spartan Athletic Park in Montgomery, IL

Sioux Falls City FC, founded in 2022, plied their trade in the WPSL for three seasons before making the move to USL W League for the 2025 Season - they finished 2nd. Their Heartland Division is just a difficult place to play, with such amazing rivals like Rochester FC and the untouchable Minnesota Aurora. Another well-run rival in the division is River Light FC, who finished 3rd in the division and while neither qualified for the playoffs last year, nobody knows what tomorrow brings. This will be the final regular season match for both and it very well may determine if either get into the dance this year.

by Joshua Duder - Protagonist Soccer

Richmond Ivy vs Charlottesville Blues FC

Sat, 6/27, 4:00p PT / 7:00p ET at City Stadium in Richmond, VA

In both teams’ inaugural season, Richmond won both matches in the 64 Derby, including an emphatic 5-0 win at home. Last season, both matches ended in a draw, 0-0 and 1-1. The Richmond Ivy will be keen to return to winning ways against the Blues, especially in their final match of the season, while Charlottesville will be looking for their first win at City Stadium.

by Kate McCarthy - River City 93

Pittsburgh Riveters SC vs. Steel City FC

Sat, 06/27 - 4:00p PT / 7:00p ET at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA

Just like in 2025, the Great Forest Division will likely come down to a final showdown in a Steel City derby at Highmark Stadium. Both the Riveters and Steel City are gearing up strong rosters for another crack at the playoffs, with the latter seeking revenge after being swept in the first two meetings between the sides last year.

by Colton Coreschi -

There are so many more great clubs to keep an eye on; Edgewater Castle FC, FC Buffalo, Flower City Union, NoVa FC, Long Island Rough Riders, New England Mutiny, Paisley Athletic, Carolina Ascent, Hill Country Linces, West Seattle Rhodies, SoCal Reds, and the list goes on…

The season goes by so fast, don’t take the games for granted and be sure to reach out to them for streaming links if you can’t make it and season tickets if you can.

edited by Joshua Duder for Protagonist Soccer