I had the impression that the USA was the epicentre of women's soccer. Europe has some strong leagues as well of course. Still, that was the perception and the fact that the USA is the most successful country in the World Cup competition reinforced that notion.
However, the USA had a poor WC in 2023, second in its group and out in the first playoff round. I took it as a blip but looking into the club scene in the US has now got me wondering.
The table below rewards top clubs making the top four in the elite league (National Women's Soccer league) from its inception in 2013 and NWSL Challenge Cup since 2020. For the history of women's soccer in the US, the time period I've covered is just scratching the surface.
The problem is that before that, clubs came and went like a morning mist. That's the conclusion I reached. The lack of stability made a club comparison a long list with little meaning. At least since 2013 there has been more settled.
The most successful club is the North Carolina Courage and they started in 2017. Prior to that they were the West New York Flash that relocated to NC. I have kept them separate below but if combined, totally dominant.
FC Kansas City dropped out in 2018. The Houston Dash arrived in 2014, the Orlando Pride 2015 with both the Kansas City Currant and San Diego Wave entering in 2022. So even now, with new teams joining and a few dropping out, it has the feel of a league that is establishing itself. If anyone can add to my conclusion or state why it's not as I'm seeing it, leave a comment below. Registering not a requirement to do so.
As for regions, the US always has to deal with the tyranny of distance. The east of the country is where most clubs are based with over half the points going there.
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