USL W-LEAGUE
Exceptional competitive women’s soccer lives in the USL W-League, USL’s highest level of women’s soccer in the US and Canada. The 2008 W-League has grown to feature a 41-team format in three conferences playing 12 or 14 regular season matches. The top women’s players throughout the world compete in the USL W-League through the summer months. In addition to the league featuring international and former professional stars, elite collegiate players have the opportunity to also compete in the league while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. The league is recognized throughout the world for providing elite competition for women’s players, while providing affordable family entertainment to many fans in each of the team locations.
NORTHERN VIRGINIA MAJESTICS CLUB HISTORY
Established in 1999, the Northern Virginia Majestics have become one of the oldest continuously operating women’s soccer clubs in North America. With the W-League team serving as the top amateur level of a very broad youth structure, the Majestics maintain their focus of providing the highest developmental opportunities for the players graduating from the Super Y-League teams. With the addition of the Majestics Super 20 team, more opportunities are now available for players intent on preparing for future soccer careers.
The Majestics have reached the W-League playoffs four times in the clubs previous nine seasons: 2002, 2003, 2006 and last season 2007. The Majestics program has garnered numerous league awards to include several All W-League First and Second Team selections and Players of the Week. The club won both W-League Rookie of the Year (Elizabeth Baidu) and Coach of the Year (Hank Leung) in 2002. Administratively, the Majestics won Executive of the Year honors in 2000. On the youth side, Northern Virginia Majestics and Royals were named the tenth best Super Y-League club program in North America.
PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS THAT PLAYED IN THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA MAJESTICS PROGRAM
Keri Sarver (New York Power)
Wu Yao (Bejing FC)
Wang Fei (Beijing FC)
Elizabeth Baidu (Ghana Womens National Team)
Alberta Sackey (Ghana Women’s National Team)
Adjoa Bayor (Ghana Women’s National Team)
Basilea Amoah-Tetteh (Ghana Women’s National Team)
2008 DIVISION ALIGNMENT
The Northern Virginia Majestics will compete in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the W-League in 2008. The Majestics are one of 41 teams that will compete in the W-League across North America. The Northeast Division consists of these 9 teams:
Northern Virginia Majestics
Boston Renegades
Connecticut FC
Fredericksburg Gunners
Jersey Sky Blue
Long Island Rough Riders
New Jersey Wildcats
New York Magic
Washington Freedom
FAQs
College Preparation: This high level of competitive play week in and week out in the summer months (May through last week in July) will give the player invaluable preparation for the college season.
Northern Virginia Majestics System: As a part of the Northern Virginia Majestics, the player will be exposed to the complete soccer club from Super Y-Leagues to Super 20 League, through W-League and finally on to future professional/national level careers.
Can College players play in the W-League and retain their college eligibility? Yes! The W-League is an amateur league affiliated with the United States Amateur Soccer Association. College players participating in the league sign amateur registration forms with W-League clubs.
Can College players play alongside professional players in the W-League? Yes! College players can be on a W-League roster with pro players as long as the pro players are not paid (signed to a $0 contract). A team is considered amateur as long as all players are only receiving reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses.
Can more than one player from the same institution participate on the same W-League team? Yes! Up to five players from a Division 1 school may play on a W-League team. There are no restrictions on the number of players from Division II and III schools.
