Those looking for hopeful news about women's professional soccer in the US may have been
heartened by the announcement on Thursday that Western New York Flash and Boston Breakers had
officially committed to participate in the Women's Premier Soccer League's new Elite Division. As
PSP wrote last Wednesday, WPSL president Jerry Zanelli had extended an offer to WPS teams to join
the new league for the 2012 season so that players could maintain fitness and form while WPS worked
on the business of re-launching the league in 2013.
Those looking for hopeful news about women's professional soccer in the US may have been
heartened by the announcement on Thursday that Western New York Flash and Boston Breakers had
officially committed to participate in the Women's Premier Soccer League's new Elite Division. As
PSP wrote last Wednesday, WPSL president Jerry Zanelli had extended an offer to WPS teams to join
the new league for the 2012 season so that players could maintain fitness and form while WPS worked
on the business of re-launching the league in 2013.
Photo: Nick Waters
Philadelphia Union
Porfirio Lopez describes what he will bring to the Union: "Having a winning mentality is the
most important thing in soccer. I'm going to try to bring my experiences and positive attitude into
the group. Without a doubt, winning championships is the priority.
Seattle to have 1st tier Women's team in 2013
In the demise of WPS, the WPSL (2nd tier, alongside the W-League in which the Sounders Women
play) is forming an Elite Soccer League in 2012 for some former WPS teams to continue playing.
This story reports of Seattle committing to a team for 2013 alongside San Diego, Los Angeles,
Sacramento and the Bay Area.
The Breakers are back.
Less than two weeks after Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) folded its tent for the 2012 season,
the Breakers announced on Thursday that it will compete in the new Elite Division of the Women's
Premier Soccer League (WPSL) this year.
"The WPSL recognizes the importance of a professional women's soccer league in America," WPSL
Commissioner Jerry Zanelli said in a statement.
Before last week's announcement of the cancellation of the 2012 WPS season, it was widely
reported that the league and magicJack owner Dan Borislow had reached an agreement to settle their
ongoing legal battles that would involve his team playing a series of exhibition games against WPS
teams.
While those reports made clear that any settlement was contingent upon the approval of US
Soccer, it appears now that US Soccer and FIFA rules would have prohibited any exhibition games
involving non-league magicJack playing WPS teams.
Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz
Philadelphia Union
Several Union players talk about preseason training at YSC SPorts last week. The team landed in
Orlando on Sunday.
Danny Califf, acknowledging that only he and Brian Carroll are the only players remaining on the
Union who are older than 27, tells MLSsoccer.
Former Independence fan favorite Holmfridur Magnusdottir and her fellow countrywoman, Katrin
Omarsdottir signed contracts with the Independence last week, adding more depth to a team looking
to make another trip to the WPS Final. Both Magnusdottir and Omarsdottir are midfielders, bringing
even more experience to an already strong Independence midfield.
Women's Pro Soccer may not be failing, but it is in danger. Their sanction is in doubt as there
are only five teams in the league for 2012. There is a lawsuit against WPS from a former team
owner. While attendance was significantly up after the Women's World Cup there is an issue about
revenue not being greater than costs.
Philadelphia Union
This Vancouver blog attributes Nizar Khalfan's inability to become a regular starter with the
Whitecaps to being away on international duty and being on the outs with then head coach Tommy
Soehn. "Frankly, I think the Whitecaps should have kept him, and my feeling is the loss of the
Vancouver Whitecaps is the Philadelphia Union's gain.
Big congratulations to the U.S. Women's National Team for their thrilling 3-nil blow out against
the Canadian side, not that anybody expected another result in Portland. I was, unfortunately,
unable to attend in person, which is a huge shame because I really enjoy women's soccer and, on
many occasions, believe it brings a better, more technical game than MLS does.
Jackie Santacaterina - Chicago Red StarsChicago Red Stars and WPSL Communications
The Women's Premier Soccer League announced Friday that Chicago Red Stars forward Michele
Weissenhofer (Naperville, Ill.), midfielder Amanda Cinalli (Cleveland, Ohio) and defender Jackie
Santacaterina (Geneva, Ill.
By Chicago Red Stars and WPSL Communications
Chicago Red Stars forward Michele Weissenhofer (Naperville, Ill.) was named the Women's Premier
Soccer League Midwest Co-Player of the Year, and Red Stars Head Coach Rory Dames was named WPSL
Midwest Coach of the Year after guiding Chicago to a runner-up finish in the 2011 WPSL National
Championship on July 31 at Benedictine University.
Julie Ewing -- Chicago Red StarsChicago Red Stars & WPSL Communications
CHICAGO - Chicago Red Stars midfielders Julie Ewing and Kara Kabellis and defender Sammy Scofield
were named to the 2011 WPSL All-Championship Team.
Ewing in particular had a standout Championship weekend for Chicago, scoring two of the Red Stars'
three goals in the final two matches, including a dramatic 88th-minute tally in the WPSL National
Championship to force overtime against the Orange County Waves.
Several teams from Chicago and the Midwest will be playing in championship games over the next
18 hours. If you read the site earlier you already know about the Chicago Fire U-15 & U-19 clubs.
Today, the Chicago Red Stars defeated Tampa Bay Hellenic 2-1 to advance to the Women's Premier
Soccer League Championship game tomorrow.
Red Stars Michele Weissenhofer, Julie EwingChicago Red Stars Communications
LISLE, Ill. - The Chicago Red Stars fended off a pesky Tampa Bay Hellenic side and earned a 2-1
victory on Saturday in the second Women's Premier Soccer League National Semifinal played at the
Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex.
Sammy Scofield -- Chicago Red StarsChicago Red Stars Communications
CHICAGO -- The 2011 Women's Premier Soccer League Championship field is set, with four
organizations making their way to the Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex out of
a 62-team field.
The host Chicago Red Stars face Tampa Bay Hellenic in the second semifinal match this Saturday at
Benedictine (3 p.
This summer did not live up to the expectations of Minnesota Kings FC owner Tim Haselberger.
Both the men's team and the first-year women's team struggled during the season with player
attendance and missed the play-offs. However, despite the on-field disappointment, the Minnesota
Kings FC organization has been taking large steps forward and is wasting no time improving the
quality and size of their youth academy and adding to their training resources and
facilities.
This summer did not live up to the expectations of Minnesota Kings FC owner Tim Haselberger.
Both the men's team and the first-year women's team struggled during the season with player
attendance and missed the play-offs. However, despite the on-field disappointment the Minnesota
Kings FC organization has been taking large steps forward and is wasting no time improving the
quality and size of their youth academy and adding to their training resources and
facilities.
Julie Ewing -- Chicago Red StarsCHICAGO -- The Women's Premier Soccer League, Chicago Red Stars and
webcast partner Ollin Omnimedia announce that the 2011 WPSL Semifinals and Championship will
include a live webcast of three matches this Saturday and Sunday as the Red Stars host the event at
the Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex in Lisle, Ill.
Amanda Cinalli -- Chicago Red StarsDUBLIN, Ohio -- The Chicago Red Stars opened their first Women's
Premier Soccer League postseason match in style with a 4-0 victory over two-time WPSL champion FC
Indiana on Saturday at Dublin Jerome High School.
Midfielder Amanda Cinalli (Cleveland, Ohio), the Red Stars' goals leader during the regular season,
scored two goals in her home state to lead Chicago on Saturday.
WPSL Communications
Chicago Red Stars midfielder/forward Vanessa DiBernardo was named to the Women's Premier Soccer
League Team of the Week (for Week 6) on Tuesday.
DiBernardo, the 2010 Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Year, tallied the game-winning goal off of
a corner kick to lead the Red Stars to a 2-0 victory over 2010 WPSL National Semifinalists FC
Milwaukee last Thursday.
FC Milwaukee coach Christian Lavers has been outspoken about the Women's
Premier Soccer League Midwest Conference North Division, noting how strong the division is from top
to bottom.
That was further borne out on Thursday.
The Chicago Red Stars, the former Women's Professional Soccer club that is fielding a team in
the WPSL for the first time, ended FC Milwaukee's 10-match unbeaten run in the division with a 2-0
victory in Oakbrook, Ill.
Red Stars F Michele WeissenhoferThe Chicago Red Stars earned their first Women's Premier Soccer
League victory with a 2-0 blanking of FC Milwaukee Nationals on Thursday.
Vanessa DiBernardo tallied a first-half goal for Chicago (1-1-0), and Shayla Mutz was credited with
a second-half goal. Milwaukee (3-1-1) suffered its first loss of the season in WPSL Midwest - North
play.
Heather MarikCHICAGO -- The Chicago Red Stars of the Women's Premier Soccer League announce the
additions of defenders Leigh Jakes (McDonough, Ga.) and Heather Marik (Naperville, Ill.) to the
team's roster for the 2011 season.
Jakes completed her tenure with Northwestern University last year.
The 2011 Red Stars huddle up Wednesday.CHICAGO (May 27, 2011) -- The Chicago Red Stars of the
Women's Premier Soccer League announce the additions of goalkeeper Jamie Forbes (St. Charles, Ill.)
and defenders Shannon McDonnell (Orland Park, Ill.), Kecia Morway (Lake Villa, Ill.) and Sammy
Scofield (Geneva, Ill.
Last year, FC Milwaukee made its first foray into adult soccer by entering a team in the Women's
Premier Soccer League.
Which begs the question: Are there any plans for the club to add a men's team?
"I think we'd like to have a Majors team," said Christian Lavers, the club's
Academy Director and WPSL coach.
The Women's Premier Soccer League Midwest Conference has been pretty good recently – the
division has sent teams to the national semifinals twice in the past three years, including the FC
Milwaukee Nationals last season.
Now the conference is getting even stronger.
The Chicago Red Stars, who withdrew from Women's Professional Soccer and have hopes of returning
to the country's top league next year, are one of two new teams in the North Division of the WPSL
Midwest.
J. Santacaterina, E. Weber, M. WeissenhoferThe Chicago Red Stars are joining the Women's Premier
Soccer League for the 2011 season. The Red Stars played during the Women's Professional Soccer
league's 2009 and 2010 seasons, and the organization elected to take a hiatus from WPS to shore up
its investment group.
The Chicago Red Stars Twitter page kicked off some dust last week and today a press release was
sent out that made it official: the Chicago Red Stars will be playing soccer in 2011. Red Stars
fans will have to get use to the WPSL not the WPL. WPSL stands for the Women's Premier Soccer
League and should not be confused with Women's Professional Soccer, the league the Red Stars
participated in for the 2009 and 2010 season.
Photo by David Bernal/ISIphotos.com
By ADAM SERRANO
The Los Angeles Galaxy is preparing to embark on a three-city road trip but may be without its
biggest star, Landon Donovan, for the start of its first match.
The Galaxy captain has missed the last past two days of practice in order to get himself fit for
the upcoming trip.
