By OkayGoal 
Since its inaugural season in 2003, the NWSL has crowned multiple champions and seen teams rise to dominance. Some of these former powerhouses remain competitive today, while others have disappeared or transformed into new clubs. Understanding the fate of former champions helps illustrate the league’s evolution. It also highlights the competitive dynamics that define it today.
Portland Thorns FC
The Portland Thorns FC won the inaugural NWSL Championship in 2013 and added further titles in 2017 and 2022. This makes them the most successful club in league history. Their success has extended beyond championships, including multiple NWSL shields and Challenge Cup victories. This highlights both their consistency and stability. Portland continues to compete at a high level, consistently qualifying for the playoffs, maintaining strong fan support, and building around elite players. The Thorns remain a model franchise in terms of both sporting success and business operations.
FC Kansas City
FC Kansas City established itself as one of the league’s first dominant teams. It won back-to-back championships in 2014 and 2015. These early successes helped cement the competitive standards of the NWSL. Despite this, FC Kansas City ceased operations after the 2017 season due to ownership and operational challenges. The club no longer exists in its original form, although the current Kansas City Current represents the city in the league.
The Current is a separate organization from FC Kansas City. The legacy of the latter lives on through its impact on the league and the development of players who remain influential in women’s soccer.
Western New York Flash
Western New York Flash captured the NWSL Championship in 2016 after years of competing in various women’s leagues. Despite this success, the franchise relocated and transformed into the North Carolina Courage in 2018, effectively ending the Flash as a standalone team. While the Flash no longer exists, its legacy continues through the Courage, who inherited the competitive foundation and many of the players that defined the Flash’s championship team.
North Carolina Courage
The North Carolina Courage rose to prominence quickly as they won back-to-back NWSL Championships in 2018 and 2019. They also claimed multiple NWSL Shields during this period, asserting dominance in both regular season and playoff competitions.
The Courage remains active in the league, continuing to compete at a high level, though they are no longer the dominant force they were during their peak. The increasing parity across the league, along with the emergence of well-funded expansion teams, has made consistent dominance more difficult.
Washington Spirit
The Washington Spirit won their first NWSL Championship in 2021 after years of striving for the title. This victory marked a turning point for the club, validating its long-term investment in talent and coaching. Since that Championship, the Spirit has remained competitive, consistently reaching the playoffs. While they have not added a second title, their status as a strong and relevant club in the league continues.
Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride captured their first NWSL Championship in 2024, solidifying their place among the league’s top teams. The club has maintained a strong roster and competitive performance since that title as they frequently appear in the playoffs. Their recent success represents a rise in teams that are younger, well-funded, and strategically managed. This reflects the evolving competitive landscape of the NWSL.
Gotham FC
Gotham FC has emerged as one of the league’s strongest clubs, winning championships in 2023 and 2025. The team has benefited from significant investment, strong infrastructure, and the development of a competitive roster. While facing challenges in broader competitions, Gotham FC remains a leading example of a modern, ambitious NWSL franchise.
Seattle Reign FC
Seattle Reign FC experienced dominance during the mid-2010s, winning multiple NWSL Shields for regular-season excellence. However, they struggled to translate this success into championships during this period. Today, the club remains competitive, regularly qualifying for the playoffs and developing top-tier talent, even if it has not captured a league title during its early dominance.
The Evolution of Former Championships
The history of the NWSL illustrates how former champions have had diverse fates. Some, like Portland Thorns FC, remain consistently successful and central to the league’s competitive identity. Others, such as FC Kansas City and Western New York Flash, have ceased operations or transformed into new organizations. Teams like North Carolina Courage, Washington Spirit, Orlando Pride, and Gotham FC continue to shape the league. Expansion, investment, and strategic development have contributed to an increasingly competitive league where former champions often compete with emerging teams for top positions.
Shaping the NWSL
Former champions of the NWSL have left a lasting mark on the league. For example, Portland Thorns FC set benchmarks for success, FC Kansas City and Western New York Flash disappeared or evolved, and newer champions like Orlando Pride and Gotham FC have emerged to define the current era. The transitions of these teams reflect both the historical richness and dynamic nature of the league. Former top teams, whether still active or part of league history, have been instrumental in shaping the competitive and cultural landscape of women’s professional soccer in the United States.
Featured image via @fckansascityblues