Champions: Pali from Cali

The W-League expansion Pali Blues were surely taking the competition seriously, bringing coach Charlie Naimo across the country from New Jersey and signing fringe national team players like India Trotter. They've capped an unbeaten season with a championship, but it wasn't easy -- a comeback effort in the final against FC Indiana followed a titanic battle with the defending champion (and WPS-bound) Washington Freedom in the semis.