2012 W-League Championship
In 1995, United Soccer Leagues served as the originators of elite women’s soccer with the launch of the W-League. Currently the longest-standing women’s soccer league in North America, the W-League features the highest level of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada. With emphasis on quality ownership, retention, league standards and player development, the W-League is the strongest, most sophisticated and best organized women’s league on and off the field. The 2012 W-League campaign features 30 teams in three regional conferences playing 12-14 regular season matches. In addition to the league’s international and professional stars, elite amateur players have the opportunity to compete in the W-League while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. The league is recognized throughout the world for providing superior competition for female players, while offering affordable family entertainment for fans throughout North America.
2012 Post-Season
There will be eleven (11) W-League teams to qualify for post-season competition. The top teams from each conference/division will play in either a conference final four or conference single-game championship match. The three Conference Champions will advance to W-League Championship presented by UMBRO held in Ottawa, Ontario.
Post-Season Schedule
Sunday, July 15: End of Regular Season
Friday, July 20 – Sunday, July 22: Central Conference Championship
Eastern Conference Championship
Western Conference Championship
Friday, July 27: W-League Semifinal Games (Ottawa, ON)
Saturday, July 28: W-League Media & Awards Banquet (Ottawa, ON)
Sunday, July 29: W-League Consolation Game (Ottawa, ON)
W-League Championship Game (Ottawa, ON)
W-League Post-Season Rules
Game Duration: All playoff matches will be 90 minutes in duration with a 15 minute halftime
Overtime: All playoff matches will have an overtime period if the match is tied at the completion of the regulation period. Overtime will consist of two (2) full 15-minute periods and is not sudden death/golden goal. Kicks from the mark shall be used if the match remains tied at the completion of overtime.
Roster: A team may have no more than 18 eligible players from the 26 player Master Roster.
Substitutions: Each team is allowed a maximum of six (6) substitutions in a game and additional are not allowed in overtime.
2012 W-League Conference Championships
Eastern Conference Championship
Four (4) seeds from the Eastern Conference will advance to the Eastern Conference Championship. The overall conference #1 seed and the three (3) highest seeds from each division will qualify, including the #2 seed from the overall conference #1 seed’s division. The overall conference #1 seed in the Eastern Conference will have the first opportunity to host the Eastern Conference Championship.
Teams will be seeded one (1) through four (4) based on final regular season standings. Point percentage and USL tiebreakers will be applied as needed.
• Eastern Conference Semifinal 1: #1 Eastern Conference seed vs. #4 Eastern Conference seed
• Eastern Conference Semifinal 2: #2 Eastern Conference seed vs. #3 Eastern Conference seed
• Eastern Conference Championship: Semifinal 1 Winner vs. Semifinal 2 Winner
Central Conference Championship
The top four (4) seeds from the Central Conference will advance to the Central Conference Championship. Since the Ottawa Fury are hosts of the 2012 W-League Championship and receive an automatic bid to the final four, the Fury will not participate in the Central Conference Championship. The #1 seed in the Central Conference will have the first opportunity to host the Central Conference Championship.
Teams will be seeded one (1) through four (4) based on final regular season conference standings. Point percentage and USL tiebreakers will be applied as needed.
• Central Conference Semifinal 1: #1 Central Conference seed vs. #4 Central Conference seed
• Central Conference Semifinal 2: #2 Central Conference seed vs. #3 Central Conference seed
• Central Conference Championship: Semifinal 1 Winner vs. Semifinal 2 Winner
Western Conference Championship
The top two (2) seeds from the Western Conference will advance to the Western Conference Championship. The #1 seed in the Western Conference will have the first opportunity to host the Western Conference Championship.
Teams will be seeded one (1) through two (2) based on final regular season conference standings. Point percentage and USL tiebreakers will be applied as needed.
• Western Conference Championship: #1 Western Conference seed vs. #2 Western Conference seed
2012 W-League Championship presented by UMBRO
The three Conference Champions will join the Ottawa Fury for the 2012 W-League Championship final four.
Semifinal Round
Teams will be seeded one (1) through four (4) based on final regular season standings. Point percentage and USL tiebreakers will be applied as needed.
• Semifinal 1: #1 Semi-final seed vs. #4 Semi-final seed
• Semifinal 2: #2 Semi-final seed vs. #3 Semi-final seed
Two teams from the same conference will not meet in a Semifinal match. If this is the scenario based on initial final four seeding, the matchups will be:
• Semifinal 1: #1 Semi-final seed vs. #3 Semi-final seed
• Semifinal 2: #2 Semi-final seed vs. #4 Semi-final seed
Championship Sunday
• Consolation: Semifinal 1 Non-Winner vs. Semifinal 2 Non-Winner
• Championship: Semifinal 1 Winner vs. Semifinal 2 Winner
