W-League Sets 2010 Alignment

TAMPA, FL – United Soccer Leagues announced the franchise alignment for the 2010 W-League season, unveiling the divisional breakdown of the 29-team competition.

The conference and divisional alignment remains the same as the 2009 season with three conferences. The Central and Eastern Conferences will be comprised of two divisions each.

Four new franchises will take the field in 2010 with the recently announced expansion clubs North Jersey Valkryies and Colorado Rush along with the Santa Clarita Blue Heat, who acquired the Ventura County Fusion franchise rights, and the W-League side being launched by the New Jersey Rangers of the USL Premier Development League.

Season details such as the playoff format and schedule information will be announced in the new year.

Central Conference
Great Lakes Division
Hamilton Avalanche, Laval Comets, Quebec City Amiral, Ottawa Fury, Rochester Ravens, Toronto Lady Lynx

Heartland Division
Buffalo Flash, Chicago Red Eleven, Cleveland Internationals, Kalamazoo Outrage, London Gryphons

Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
Atlanta Silverbacks, Charlotte Lady Eagles, Hampton Roads Piranhas, Northern Virginia Majestics, Tampa Bay Hellenic

Northeast Division
Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues, Long Island Rough Riders, New Jersey Wildcats, New York Magic, NJ Rangers, North Jersey Valkryies, Washington Freedom

Western Conference
Colorado Force, Colorado Rush, Pali Blues, Santa Clarita Blue Heat, Seattle Sounders, Vancouver Whitecaps