Ottawa Fury Women was a Canadian women's soccer team based in Ottawa, Ontario. Founded in 2000, the team was a member of the United Soccer LeaguesUSL W-League, the second tier of women's soccer in the United States and Canada. The team competed in the W-League's Central Conference with the rest of the league's Canadian clubs.[1]
The team was part of the Ottawa Fury FC organization, which included the Ottawa Fury FC men's professional team, the Academy and the former semi-professional team Ottawa Fury SC. The women's team was disbanded following the 2014 season.
History
The Ottawa Fury was founded as a women's team in 2000 by Andy Nera, who served as owner and coach, to compete in the USL W-League.[2] The team failed to make the playoffs in each of their first two seasons.[2]
In 2002, the team was purchased by John Pugh.[3] In 2004, the Fury captured their first division title in 2004 (the first of nine consecutive) and their first conference title in 2005.[2] In 2005, the Fury added a men's team, Ottawa Fury SC in the semi-professional Premier Development League.[4]
They advanced to the League Championship final in 2005 and 2006, losing both years to the New Jersey Wildcats and Vancouver Whitecaps, respectively.[2][5] In 2007, they posted their first undefeated season, with a record of 11 wins and 1 draw.[2]
After clinching their ninth consecutive Central Division title,[6] the Fury women captured the 2012 League title, defeating the Pali Blues in the championship final on penalty kicks, which was hosted in Ottawa.[7][8]
Following the formation of the professional men's team, Ottawa Fury FC, the women's team adopted the Fury FC branding and logo for the 2014 season.[2] After the 2014 season, in which the team finished the regular season undefeated and coming in third-place in the league championship tournament,[9][10] the team folded in "a business decision to cease operation", with the organization focusing on it the men's professional team.[11] Despite folding the women's team, the club remained committed to its girls development program through the Elite Girls Academy and other grassroots and community initiatives.[12] The disbanding of the team occurred just days ahead of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup official draw in Ottawa.[13] The Fury women had amassed the second-most wins in W-League history.[13]
