The birth of a new millennium saw the start of a new Women's Division I professional outdoor league. Known as the Women's United Soccer Association, the WUSA was sanctioned as a Division I professional outdoor league by the U.S. Soccer Federation in 2000 and debuted on April 14, 2001.

     The success of the 1999 Women's World Cup and Women's US National team (the World Cup Champions) created increased hype and popularity around women's soccer in the United States. Seeing this, John Hendricks, chairman and CEO of Discovery Communications, saw the opportunity and potential to establish a successful Women's league.

     After gaining financial backing from several major US media companies, such as Time Warner Cable, Cox Enterprises and Comcast Corporation, John Hendricks filed an application to the U.S. Soccer Federation for Division I soccer membership. Upon seeing its strong financial backing, long-term commitment from its investors, and a sound business structure (a single entity like that of MLS) the U.S. Soccer Federation approved the application, and the WUSA was born.

     Today the WUSA consists of 8 teams. During the season each team plays 21 games. Best performing teams advance to a Semi-Final stage where the top two teams will then compete for the WUSA Championship Classic.