Women's United Soccer Association

The Women's United Soccer Association formed in 2001 as a soccer league for women in the United States. A successor to/competitor with the W-League, the WUSA differs from the former in that it consists purely of professional players. As a result of the US Women's National Team's (USWNT) first place showing in the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup, a seemingly viable market for the sport germinated. Feeding off of the momentum of their victory, the 20 USWNT players sought out the investors, markets, and players necessary to form the 8 team league. The WUSA played for three full seasons, however its operations suspended in September 2003, immediately preceding the 2003 Women's World Cup. On December 7, 2004, the Women?s Soccer Initiative, Inc. (WSII), announced it's intention to "guide the re-launch of women?s professional soccer in the United States." As of October 6, 2005, no further information has been released.

Past Founders Cup champions

• 2001 Bay Area CyberRays 3-3 (4-2Pks) Atlanta Beat
• 2002 Carolina Courage 3-2 Washington Freedom
• 2003 Washington Freedom 2-1 (OT) Atlanta Beat