Women's Professional Soccer League
WPS Relaunches Professional Women's Football
With strong ties to the revitalised US men’s football league MLS and the US Soccer Federation, as well as media backing from Fox Networks and involvement from such influential sports figures as former USA co-captain Julie Foudy and two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash, the new Women's Professional Soccer league will hope to avoid the pitfalls that befell WUSA.
Formed on the back of the enormously successful Women’s World Cup 1999, which drew record crowds as hosts USA overcame a strong China side on penalties to win their second World Cup, WUSA proved ultimately unable to overcome organisational weaknesses and sustain the interest level necessary to survive in the crowded North American spectator sports market.
WUSA suspended operations at the end of the 2003 season, and work began immediately on forming its successor. The WPS league is now set to launch in April 2009, with an initial seven teams to be expanded to ten the following year.
2009 WPS League Teams
The inaugural season is scheduled to feature seven teams in prime markets across the US:
New York/New Jersey
- Team name: Sky Blue FC
- Stadium: Yurcak Field, Rutgers College
- Star players: Natasha Kai, Christie Rampone
Washington DC
- Team name: Washington Freedom
- Stadium: Maryland SoccerPlex
- Star player: Abby Wambach
Boston
- Team name: Boston Breakers
- Stadium: Harvard Stadium
- Star players: Kristine Lilly, Heather Mitts
St. Louis
- Stadium: Korte Stadium
- Star players: Hope Solo, Lori Chalupny
Chicago
- Team name: Chicago Red Stars
- Stadium: Toyota Park (home of MLS Chicago Fire)
- Star player: Carli Lloyd
Los Angeles
- Team name: LA Sol
- Stadium: Home Depot Center (home of MLS LA Galaxy)
- Star players: Shannon Boxx, Aly Wagner
Bay Area
- Team Name: FC Gold Pride
- Stadium: Buck Shaw Stadium
- Star players: Leslie Osborne, Sissi
Three expansion teams – Atlanta, Philadelphia and Dallas – are confirmed for the 2010 season, with more expected to follow.
International Women’s Soccer Stars
WPS’ mission is to build the premier women’s soccer competition in the world, and the league is expected to attract the biggest talents from across the global game. In addition to the USA national players already allocated, teams retain the playing rights to certain international players, with whom individual negotiations are currently ongoing.
LA Sol currently have the playing rights to FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year Marta; while Chicago Red Stars could sign two of the game’s most creative players in Marta’s Brazil teammate Cristiane, and England and Arsenal dynamo Karen Carney. Other international stars in talks to join the league include England’s Kelly Smith, Alex Scott, Anita Asante and Eni Aluko; Ireland’s Emma Byrne; Australia’s Lisa de Vanna and Colette McCallum; Canada’s Christine Latham; and Sweden’s Sara Larsson.
2009 WPS Season
The 2009 WPS season will kick off in April 2009, running through the post-season playoffs and championship games in August.
Women's Professional Soccer
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