Women now have soccer back as an professional career, it is not all about basketball and the olympics. The dissolved WUSA professional soccer league closed too soon and now a second attempt at a professional women’s soccer franchise is being attempted.
History Lesson : The WUSA was the world’s premier women’s professional soccer league. In the 2001 inaugural season, the eight-team league featured the best players from the 1999 U.S. World Cup Championship Team and top-flight international players. Unfortunately, the financial backing did not continue to support the League after the WUSA’s third season and the announcement was made on September 15, 2003 that the League was suspending its operations immediately. A group of former League officers joined with the Player’s Association to revive the WUSA in 2004 and beyond.
The Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) markets for the 2009 season are :
- Bay Area FC Gold Pride
- Boston Breakers
- Chicago Red Stars
- Los Angeles SOL
- New Jersey/New York Blue Sky FC
- St. Louis Athletica
- Washington DC Freedom
Play kicks off in the spring of 2009 with seven teams and the league is looking for interested investors for its 2010 season and beyond. Currently, the league expects to have ten teams play in the 2010 season. WPS expects to expand to Atlanta and Philadelphia in 2010 and continues to explore additional potential franchises for 2010 and beyond. The WPS team planned for Dallas is now slated to begin play in 2010 as the League continues to work on securing a facility, with the intention that the Team will start play in the Leagueâ’s second season. More markets will be announced as they are added to the League.
Negative Thoughts
Those who want to play, will play. Women’s soccer is big in the midwest, why is the WPS limited to those cities? What about Minneapolis (MN), Madison (WI), Duluth (MN), and even Iowa City (IA). Stadiums are available and there is a huge fan base.
Where is Canada? Canada, with a stronger economy, would not only help financially but women’s professional sports in Canada will make a real difference for future growth.
Instead of recruiting from other countries, just start WPS minor leagues or franchises?
Where are the minor leagues?
Positive Thoughts
It is job creation, not only for players but for all staff. If you are looking for a job, check out WPS job site (read more . . .) and see if you qualify.
I am neither a huge fan of softball, basketball nor soccer, but I am hoping for this to be a lead in for women’s professional baseball and hockey. Especially since softball has been removed from Olympics it is time to merge out softball for baseball, there are enough minor team stadiums that can be put to use.
More girls are playing sports than any other generation (not for any other reason but lack of opportunity) and it is time to give these girls careers.
No Beckham