Women's Soccer USA

Coverage of women's soccer in the US. If it's not here...it's not important...

June 30, 2006

Freedom dominates Atlanta

The Washington Freedom does not have its WUSA stars, but it has a bit of that firepower.
The Freedom dominated the Atlanta Silverbacks of the W-League en route to a 4-1 exhibition win Thursday night at SAS Soccer Park in front of 1,014 fans.

Washington, which started five former ACC soccer players, went scoreless for much of the first half before before Joanna Lohman and Kele Golebiowski scored goals in the 41st and 42nd minutes. It added two goals in the second half, outshooting the Silverbacks 29-8.

June 29, 2006

WUSA

"Women's soccer has a strong audience base, it's appealing to the community," said Antonucci, who has spearheaded the creation of Women's Soccer Initiative, Inc. (WSII) to help steer the WUSA revival effort.
"We believe the fundamental mission is to relaunch the premier women's soccer league in the world with the best players around the world, competing and participating in the sport," Antonucci said. "We're excited that it can be major in that respect and for the fan's enjoyment, but we can be a little more realistic about the development of the business side of the sport."

California Storm

Storm owner Jerry Zanelli has run a grass-roots operation for 18 years. While he would like to see more spectators at his team's games, Zanelli doesn't mind reaching into his pocket to support what amounts to an expensive hobby for the Sacramento lobbyist.

Although the Storm ranks as one of the best women's club teams in the world, Zanelli doles out transportation money to his players and directs them to a nearby restaurant for a postgame meal just as a recreation coach might.

"I spend about $50,000 a year, but being the owner and coach helps," Zanelli says. "Whether I have a winning or losing record, I won't fire myself."

June 26, 2006

NU Soccer Coach Resigns

Jenny Haigh, the Northwestern women's head soccer coach who led the team to a winning season in 2004, resigned from her position Tuesday.
Although there was no official reason for the resignation, the announcement came 11 days after the conclusion of Northwestern's investigation into a hazing scandal involving the women's soccer team.

June 25, 2006

WUSA

Antonucci admits the plans aren't fully cooked and that more investors need to be convinced they can make money off this endeavor. But she is targeting a re-launch for the summer of 2008, with eight teams scattered across the country. It would include teams in major metropolitan areas and some "second-tier" markets where the game is popular.

June 21, 2006

Northwestern women's soccer coach Jenny Haigh, whose team was embarrassed by pictures of hazing posted on the Internet and disciplined this spring, resigned Tuesday.

In May, a Web site displayed pictures of Northwestern soccer players clad only in T-shirts and underwear -- some with blindfolds on and others with their hands tied behind their backs. Other women had words or pictures scrawled on their bodies and clothes, and it appeared some were drinking alcohol.