Women's Soccer USA

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

September 30, 2007

A man who never should have been the coach

Attempting to deflect the tremendous criticism that has rained down upon him, Coach Ryan has made statements that would make any magician proud, misdirecting the audience’s attention away from his coaching errors of historic proportions and toward the 26 year-old goalkeeper who has brought Coach Ryan so much positive press for the past several years.

In an effort to set the record straight and to refocus attention on what we believe should be the context in which this situation is understood, we feel the need to tell you what you do not read in the sports pages.
We believe the public should know what the players and the people involved in this controversy know. The history that has brought us what was an inevitable fall from grace caused not by the players on the Women’s National Team but by the US Soccer Federation, its leadership, and a man who never should have been the coach.

Lilly embarrasses herself

Lilly's 18-year legacy destroyed in 3 short day.

"The circumstance that happened and her going public has affected the whole group," said Kristine Lilly, a 36-year-old forward who played in a record fifth World Cup. "And having her with us would still be a distraction."

Ryan, Lilly and Wambach

We have learned that allegedly Greg Ryan's decision to drop Solo and replace her with Scurry may have been more than just agreed to by Lilly and Wambach, and the change may actually have been instigated by Lilly and Wambach.
If true, that of course would shed some light on Solo's banishment and Lilly and Wambach's support of Ryan in the aftermath.

We understand that there is a split among squad members between 12 younger players who continue in their support of Solo and 6 senior players who sided with Lilly, Wambach and Ryan.
During a team meeting it was agreed to put the differences aside and to focus on becoming "the third greatest team you have never heard of."

It appears that Ryan maybe influenced if not outright led by the senior players and thus his bizarre player changes and behavior.

Ultimately, in our opinion, his coaching credibility has been destroyed and his ability to lead greatly compromised.

U.S. makes Solo the scapegoat for its failure

After her candid comments against coach Greg Ryan's decision to bench her for the semifinal match versus Brazil, Solo directed a spotlight on herself that allowed the catalyst of the entire event, Greg Ryan, to escape from the glare.

The fact that the attention switched so completely to Solo was in itself a surprise, given that she was essentially a powerless player with an opinion and Ryan was the person who made one of the most curious calls in sporting history.

USA 4, Norway 1

A pair of goals from Abby Wambach, along with a goal each from Lori Chalupny and Heather O’Reilly, led the United States Women’s National Team to third place at the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup with a 4-1 win against Norway on Sunday at Shanghai Hongkou Stadium.

September 29, 2007

Neid critical of Ryan tactics

Germany coach Silvia Neid was more disappointed in the U.S. than impressed by Brazil, saying her team would not give the flamboyant South Americans the space afforded by the below-par Americans.
"I was surprised by the United States," Neid said. "I have never seen them play like that before. They were never in the game, and when they went behind they just couldn't pick themselves up."
"If you try to cover Marta with player-to-player marking, it just won't work. You saw what happened to the Americans when they tried that."

Brett Hall and Phil Wheddon

As much as Greg Ryan is ridiculed around the world for his folly, it will be interesting to find out if the US goalkeeper coach Phil Wheddon was consulted by Greg Ryan about the keeper change.
It must be assumed that based on his daily training with Solo, Scurry and Barnhart, Wheddon is always asked for his input and insight.
Did Wheddon oppose the change and was overruled by Ryan or did he agree with it?
Also, what input on keeper selection and player substitutions did/does Brett Hall have?
Both assistant coaches' credibility and reputations could suffer in the aftermath of this fiasco.

Solo is out!

Outspoken goalkeeper Hope Solo will not be with the United States team for Sunday's third-place playoff against Norway in the Women's World Cup.
Coach Greg Ryan announced the decision just two days after Solo went public and criticized him for benching her for the semifinal defeat by Brazil.

Ryan's future is also up in the air.

The United States were unbeaten in 51 straight games before the Brazil loss, but the lopsided defeat and Ryan's decision to switch keepers -- Solo had not allowed a goal in almost 300 minutes -- makes it unclear if he will be retained.
Sunil Gulati, the president of the U.S. Soccer Federation, said on Saturday that Ryan's contract was up at the end of the year. He did not say if Ryan would coach the team in next year's Beijing Olympics.
"In all events like this ... we do a pretty quick analysis of what's happened; what's gone well, what's not gone well," Gulati said.
"That will happen even more quickly in this case," he added. "We'll analyze this situation after tomorrow. We've already starting analyzing it."

September 28, 2007

Our beautiful game has been stolen by Greg Ryan

I’m disgusted with the Women’s World Cup team and how their entire game has come to “kick it 60 yards to Abby”.

Personnel decisions by Coach Ryan have many calling for his removal, and I agree it was a horrible thing to do to a team that was already under pressure for not performing to expectations so far in the Cup. However, if you want evidence as to why Coach Ryan should really be removed, you need only have watched our games these past few weeks with a careful eye.

He has completely stripped our starting 11 of creative players, possession-oriented play, and rendered our mid-field to “monkey in the middle” status – where their sole role is to try and intercept anything the opponent tries to lob over us, and to watch as our defense lobs balls over their heads to Abby. Not one time yesterday did I see a central midfielder check back to receive a ball from the defense, turn and distribute the ball on the ground. I’m sure it happened, but I was so upset by the overall [lack of] style of play that I’ve blocked out the few exceptions. It was just plain bad soccer, period.

Washington Freedom name new management structure

John Hendricks, Chairman and Managing Member of Freedom Soccer, LLC, today announced the management team for the Washington Freedom women's professional soccer team, which will be part of the newly launched women's professional league in 2009.

Joe Quinn has been named President and General Manager of the Washington Freedom.
Reporting to Joe Quinn will be the head coach of the Washington Freedom, Jim Gabarra.
Louise Waxler has been named Director of Operations for the Washington Freedom and will report to Joe Quinn.
Clyde Watson remains as assistant coach of the Washington Freedom.

"My family and I have enormous confidence in this management team and we are very pleased to continue our support of women's professional soccer," said John Hendricks. Hendricks continued, "The Washington Freedom has continued its enviable record of success on the playing field under Jim Gabarra and Clyde Watson. We look forward to many victories ahead."

Foudy is wrong

Julie Foudy has, in my opinion, really mischaracterized Hope Solo's comments. I don't think Solo attacked Scurry. In fact, I think Solo did nothing more than Foudy did in the broadcast of the game - when Foudy mentioned that it was the wrong decision to switch goalkeepers. Solo can criticize a decision like that and say that she thought she could make the saves without it being an attack on a teammate. It's confidence in her ability and hurt because of the denial of an opportunity that she had earned.

For example, when Foudy questioned the insertion of Tina Ellertson into the match, was she saying that Ellertson wasn't a good defender? No, she was harping on Ryan's decision. To make the leap from that to say that Foudy was attacking Ellertson is basically the one that Foudy makes here about Solo and Scurry.

The point that Solo was making in comparing 2004 to 2007 was obvious - it was to say that over those passing years, she has earned her place and become the starting goalkeeper for a reason. To reverse all that was a mistake. To say that, on current form, she is the best goalkeeper is a perfectly valid statement. To point out Ryan's mistake does not defame Scurry.

On the other hand, this is where it feels a bit like U.S. Soccer is closing ranks. It makes me wish that we had people covering the broadcast who were more objective. Heather Mitts is still on the team. How far will she go in criticizing Ryan when he could hold her playing fate in hand? Foudy is obviously close with many of the U.S team, especially Scurry. She seems to have reacted as if her friend was attacked. I think that's a limited perspective.

Solo's mental state "is not my concern"

The long-term residency program is detrimental to players' tactical sharpness. God love Abby Wambach--and I most definitely do--but when she repeatedly says that the US players' lack of international club experience is not a problem because "we get the best competition in the world every day at practice," I have to wonder if she's really that short-sighted or is simply saying what she's been instructed to say. And then I wonder which of those is the less distressing possibility. Going up against the same players who come out of the same system every day only teaches you how to beat those players and that system. After a few times you'll know everyone's tendencies, and you'll be anticipating moves rather than learning how to react to unfamiliar tactics and personnel. Club teams will not match up with the US roster in terms of individual skill, top-down, but playing in meaningful games every week against rotating opposition creates pressure, exposes players to adversity, and hones their reactions to changing circumstances in ways that end-of-practice scrimmages never will.

Oh, and bring the friggin' team psychologist with you when you go to a tournament, and remember that keepers are different from field players, and women are different from men. Ryan's comment that Solo's mental state after being benched "is not my concern" reveals volumes.

Foudy shreds Ryan

"Ryan did tactically made no sense, and there were a lot of decisions he made that I think many people would question."

"Take nothing away from that (51-game unbeaten streak); it's very tremendous what he's done, especially with everyone gunning for them. But when you look at a coach, you look at the progress over three years, how they played at the World Cup and the decisions that were made that impacted their performance.

"There are so many talented players out there, and you wonder, 'Is this program building? Is it growing? Is that the best soccer we can produce? Is this the direction we want to go in?' I don't think it is."

Chastain wants Ryan out

"People say this is a step back, but I think Greg Ryan has put us three steps back – all the way to the starting gate," said Chastain, the 1999 World Cup hero who watched Thursday's loss from her home in Northern California. "He lacks the ability to communicate and is not in tune with his players, and he's obviously not a tactician or he wouldn't have made the decisions he did.

"This will define Greg Ryan. He did not prepare his players to play in this World Cup the way they needed to be prepared. He was like a general who sent his soldiers into battle with no plan, and it showed. If they don't fire him, there should be a nationwide protest against U.S. Soccer because it would mean that they just don't care."

What Greg Ryan Said That Fired Up the Brazilians

Could Greg Ryan’s ill-considered remarks on Monday have been far more responsible for Brazil’s thrashing of the U.S. than his questionable on-field management? The Brazil team certainly seems to think so.

September 27, 2007

The Ryan Blunder

And Greg Ryan? I don't suspect he'll have a job after they stamp his passport in China on the return trip home. And after reading thousands of fans' outraged responses to his decisions in the last 48 hours, that might just be the easiest 'out' for the coach who took the best team in the world and reduced them to also-rans.

The Ryan Blunder

Every rookie manager knows that swapping goalkeepers in and out unsettles a team. It might not make sense, but it does. (You're also, of course, disrupting the back four and your centre-halves in particular). There's a pretty good reason why you don't mess around with these things. Changing keepers is a big deal.

Ryan forgot that and thought he could reinvent the game. Serves him right then that the USA were humiliated 4-0 and that Briana Scurry, appropriately, had a shocker.

The Ryan Blunder

Greg Ryan, after the U.S.’s 4-0 loss to Brazil in the Women’s World Cup, really ought to go down as one of the dumber coaches in history, and if he doesn’t, it will only be because of the profile of his sport. Solo thinks so too, and amid the caterwauling that she’s betraying the team and speaking out of turn, does it even matter that she’s 1,000 percent right?
“It was the wrong decision, and I think anybody that knows anything about the game knows that. There’s no doubt in my mind I would have made those saves. And the fact of the matter is, it’s not 2004 anymore. It’s not 2004. And it’s 2007 and I think you have to live in the present and you can’t live by big names. You can’t live in the past. It doesn’t matter what somebody did in an Olympic gold-medal game in the Olympics three years ago. Now is what matters.”

I’m not going to pretend to know enough about the relative merits of each player. But if Briana Scurry was the better player, she should have been in there the entire tournament. It’s so, so simple.

Aaron Heifetz upset with Hope Solo!

She (Solo) was honest, fair, and to the point, and in my opinion, quite brave to even do the interview when she was clearly devastated at the team's result. Even more interestingly, as she walked away from the interview, she again spun on her heels and said to Aaron Heifetz: "Don't you ever tell me what interviews I can do."

Even when the Canadians were unexpectedly knocked out in group stage against the Aussies, many of them were willing to face the music, not just with us, but with the Australian media as well.
I think the U.S. could learn a thing or two from the Canadians' team management.

The Ryan Blunder

All that's left now is the consolation game against Norway, so the best the Americans can be is the Third Greatest Team You've Never Heard Of.

Their coach, meanwhile, has a scarred legacy that may cost him the job in the Olympics. The world sometimes does not remember victories. But it never forgets a gamble that goes wrong.

Solo critical of Ryan

Hope Solo was benched before today's 4-0 loss to Brazil, and she isn't going to hold back on her coach, Greg Ryan.

"It was the wrong decision and anyone who knows anything about the game knows that," Solo said in a TV interview after the game.

USA Player Ratings vs. Brazil

USA vs. Brazil Player Ratings (scale 1-10)

Greg Ryan - 1 - Disrupted team stability with controversial keeper change, extremely bad substitutions. Coaching in first pressure competition Ryan failed miserably.

USA 0, Brazil 4

Not only was it the worst loss in the history of the World Cup for the United States, but it was also the worst loss in its history. The Americans had never lost a game by four goals before.

September 26, 2007

The Ryan Blunder

Ryan's unprecedented decision -- at least in the annals of American Women's World Cup history -- to change goalkeepers during a tournament for reasons unrelated to injuries or red cards, turned what had been a quiet buildup to the semifinal between the United States and Brazil into a day of questions and intrigue in Hangzhou.

September 23, 2007

W-League

The Carolina RailHawks announced on Wednesday night the formation of a USL W-League women’s soccer team for the 2008 season.
The Carolina RailHawks Women will play home games in the Atlantic Division of the USL W-League at SAS Soccer Park in Cary. The team will be coached by Jay Howell, Director of Coaching for the Capital Area Soccer League and will be comprised by some of the best talent the Triangle has to offer. Star players from Duke, NC State and UNC-Chapel Hill as well as Wake Forest University and UNC-Greensboro have already agreed to be a part of the team.
“The Triangle has a tradition of producing fantastic women’s soccer teams and players at the club and collegiate level,” said Jay Howell. “Like the Raleigh Wings and the Carolina Courage in the past, this team will showcase the best soccer talent from this area and beyond. I am excited and honored to coach the new W-League team. This will be a wonderful opportunity to work with high quality players, and to represent the Carolina RailHawks organization.”

September 22, 2007

Boston Breakers

Tony DiCicco, who guided the United States to the Women's World Cup title in 1999, was named coach of the Boston Breakers yesterday. DiCicco, 59, a Wethersfield, Conn., native, is employed as a commentator by ESPN for Women's World Cup games and will begin working with the Breakers after the Sept. 30 final.
DiCicco was commissioner of the Women's United Soccer Association in 2002 and 2003, the league's final seasons. The new women's professional soccer league is expected to launch in 2009 with seven teams - Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, St. Louis, and Washington.
As US national team coach, DiCicco had a 103-8-8 record from 1994-99, before resigning to spend more time with his family. DiCicco was assistant coach for the US when it won the first Women's World Cup in 1991 in China and was head coach of the '96 Olympic championship team.

USA Player Ratings

USA vs. England Player Ratings (scale 1-10)

Hope Solo - 6 - Hardly tested but solid when required.
Christie Rampone - 7 - Very professional display.
Whitehill - 7 - Her best performance of the tournament.
Kate Markgraf - 7 - Firmly in charge in the back.
Stephanie Lopez - 7 - Very mature performance.
Heather O'Reilly - 7 - Solid both ways.
Shannon Boxx - 8 - Very strong performance capped with a goal.
Osbourne - 6 - Very effective defensively.
Chalupny - 7 - Lot of selfless running.
Wambach - 8 - Too much to handle for England.
Lilly - 8 - Very good match by teams leader.

Well done by Gregg Ryan. Good half-time adjustements.
Player of the Match - Shannon Boxx.

USA 3, England 0

The U.S. Women’s National Team scored three goals in a 13-minute span early in the second half to defeat England, 3-0, putting on a commanding quarterfinal performance to qualify for the semifinals of the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The USA got goals from Abby Wambach in the 48th minute, Shannon Boxx in the 57th and a capper from team captain Kristine Lilly in the 60th minute to effectively put the match out of reach with a half hour remaining.

September 21, 2007

A step back under Ryan?

If the world is catching up to the U.S. team, there are indications the Americans have taken a step back -- perhaps a small one -- as well. Although they remained unbeaten in first-round play since the tournament began in 1991 (13-0-2), the scores in the 2007 group stage were closer than ever and, for the first time, the United States had to closely monitor the progress of the group's other game on the final day of play to learn where it would finish.

The Americans faced the same three teams in group play this year as they did in 2003 and, although they defeated Sweden by two goals again, they had to come from behind to tie the North Koreans, 2-2, after beating them by 3-0 scores four years ago and in 1999. They also had to hold off Nigeria in the second half for a 1-0 victory following a 5-0 rout in '03 and a 7-1 decision in '99.

But there has also been a noticeable change in the U.S. team's style of play. The Americans have lacked a dynamic attacking element, a player to improvise in the open field and take on defenders like superstar Mia Hamm once did. They have also had trouble linking together quick, one-touch passes, a trademark of past U.S. teams, to unlock opposing defenses. Other than Lori Chalupny's two-way play, the U.S. midfield has lacked production and ingenuity.

"I've definitely seen them play better," Sweden team captain Victoria Svensson said. "Six or seven years ago, they would try to play the ball on the ground a lot more and pull teams apart that way. Now they just try to bang it up".

September 20, 2007

RailHawks women to field area players

The Carolina RailHawks announced Wednesday that they will launch a women's team for the 2008 season.
The RailHawks women already have four area players committed, including North Carolina sophomore Casey Nogueira, a Broughton graduate and member of the United States' Under-20 team. UNC's Betsy Frederick, also of Raleigh, N.C. State's Lindsay Vera and Duke's Kelly Hathorn also have agreed to play.
The team will be coached by Jay Howell, who is the Capital Area Soccer League's Director of Coaching. A number of men and women's college players have come out of Howell's program.

September 19, 2007

Michelle Akers enjoying life after soccer

Michelle Akers is now a mother. And she couldn't be happier.
Arguably the greatest women's soccer player ever, Akers doesn't miss the spotlight one bit. She lives in this quiet corner of southeastern Seminole County with her husband, attorney Steve Eichenblatt; their son, Cody; and five horses, three dogs and a cat.

Ryan discounts the technique-driven short-passing game

"I've definitely seen them play better," said Sweden captain and three-time FIFA Women's World Cup veteran Victoria Svensson about the new-look Americans. "Six or seven years ago, with Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy in the team, they would try to play the ball on the ground a lot more and pull teams apart that way... Now they just try to bang it up to Abby (Wambach)."

"Back then, you could get away with playing little passes all over the field and have success doing it. But in the modern game, a team that just knocks the ball around the middle of the park is going to get killed doing it," continued Ryan, who replaced 1991 world champion-turned-coach April Heinrichs in 2005 and signaled a shift from the technique-driven short-passing game to a more physical and direct style.

September 18, 2007

USA 1, Nigeria 0

The U.S. Women’s National Team got a goal just 53 seconds into the match from midfielder Lori Chalupny, then battled Nigeria through a steady rain on a sloppy pitch for the remainder of the match to record a 1-0 victory and win Group B at the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

September 16, 2007

WUSA 2009

Another positive development is the deal that the league reached with Soccer United Marketing, which has signed on to sell corporate sponsorships and handle the league's licensing agreements. Given the success SUM has had in marketing MLS, the Mexican national team and various other international events in North America, having the company by the league's side should give the new venture some added credibility and serve to calm the nerves of potential sponsors.
"I think it has to provide a level of comfort to corporate America," said Carter about the partnership. "SUM understands the soccer world; they understand these marketing partnerships, and if you are going to outsource a critical part of your business, and you're in the soccer business, then SUM is the way to go."

September 15, 2007

Top World Cup Players

My top 11 after two rounds:

GK: Rachel Brown (ENG) - steady
D: Linda Bresonik (GER) - flawless
D: Aline (BRA) - rock solid
D: Katrine Pedersen (DEN) - Denmark’s key to success
D: Christie Rampone (USA) - effective, no nonsense defender
M: Renate Lingor (GER) - fantastic vision and passing range
M: Formiga (BRA) - Brazil’s engine
M: Kyong Hwa Kim (PRK) - great talent
M: Un Suk Ri (PRK) - does it all
F: Abby Wambach (USA) - tournaments most effective striker so far
F: Kelly Smith (ENG) - can score and setup goals, superb technically

September 14, 2007

USA Player Ratings

USA vs. Sweden Player Ratings (scale 1-10)

Hope Solo - 6 - Solid throughout.
Stephanie Lopez - 5 - Better performance.
Christie Rampone - 6 - Worked hard defending.
Cat Whitehill - 6 - Rarely challenged by mediocre Sweden.
Kate Markgraf - 5 - Same as Whitehill.
Leslie Osborne - 5 - Played within herself.
Carli Lloyd - 5 - Easier time against less mobile Swedes.
Lori Chalupny - 7 - Most effective US midfielder.
Abby Wambach - 7 - Worked hard, scorer of both goals.
Kristine Lilly - 6 - Quality pas to assist Wambach.
Lindsey Tarpley - 5 - Uneventful performance.

Greg Ryan - 5 - Ryan's tactical acumen was not tested by fitness-lacking, highly overrated Swedish team. It was almost amusing to watch Schellin play wide and the 5'2 Ljungberg chase down high balls in the middle.
Player of the Match - Abby Wambach

USA overcomes Sweden

Two Abby Wambach goals, one in each half, led the U.S. to a key Group B victory over Sweden in the second game of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in China.

September 13, 2007

Record Global TV Audiences

The fifth FIFA Women's World Cup has got off to a great start not only in terms of action on the pitch and atmosphere in the stadia but looks set to confirm the high expectations of TV audiences around the world. Judging from initial figures from the first three days of play, the women's showpiece has no doubt become a standard-bearer in international football.

Just to give a first glimpse on the promising coverage the opening match between defending champions Germany against Argentina, which brought a tournament record 11-0 win, reached a market share in Germany of over 20%. In total that 2.5 million spectators tuned in on ZDF, an excellent figure matching the audience of a major Champions League match.

In Japan, the thrilling drama of Japan's team first match against England (1-1) attained almost 20% market share on Fuji TV. But the most prominent figure so far came from TV4 Sweden with a market share of 56.8% for Sweden's opening match in Group B against Nigeria (1-1).

September 12, 2007

Wambach: "I think the score will show who is the best team"

Wambach, responding to a Swedish reporter's assertion that some Sweden players believe she takes dives: "I'm not worried about that. I think the score will show who is the best team."

September 11, 2007

USA Player Ratings

USA vs. Korea DPR Player Ratings (scale 1-10

Hope Solo - 5 - Average performance from a keeper suggested to be the best in the world.
Stephanie Lopez - 4 - Lacking experience, unnerved by the occasion.
Christie Rampone - 7 - Did her job.
Cat Whitehill - 5 - Poor distribution, well enough defensively.
Kate Markgraf - 5 - Not enough from one of the most experienced players.
Shannon Boxx - 5 - Tough time on a heavy pitch against qiucker opponents.
Carli Lloyd - 4 - Tried her best, opponents exposed her weaknesses.
Lori Chalupny - 7 - Along with O'Reilly most effective US player.
Abby Wambach - 6 - Worked hard, isolated too much.
Kristine Lilly - 4 - Hard time against quicker, fitter opponents.
Heather O'Reilly - 7 - Scored a key goal, defended well, consistent attacking threat.

Greg Ryan - 3 - Poor game management and tactical adjustments. Curiously substituted
O'Reilly when Lilly should have been taken off. Did not help his three midfielders when it was obvious in the last 30 minutes they were outnumbered and overmatched.
Why was Tarpley kept off???

Player of the Match - Heather O'Reilly

Annals of Bad Coaching Decisions: Greg Ryan, U.S. Women's Soccer

Greg Ryan blundered for certain. You can't simply give a world class World Cup team a person advantage for 10 minutes and expect to get away with it.

USA 2, Korea DPR 2

USA escapes with a tie.

September 08, 2007

Santa Clara 7, Notre Dame 1

Kiki Bosio, Meagan Snell and Brittany Klein scored a pair of goals each to lead No. 3 Santa Clara women's soccer to a 7-1 upset of No. 2 Notre Dame Friday night in the second game of the 2007 Santa Clara adidas Classic at Buck Shaw Stadium. With the win, the Broncos improved to 2-0-0 on the season, while the Fighting Irish dropped to 2-1-0 overall.

September 05, 2007

Boston Breakers

Boston Breakers will name Tony DiCicco its head coach. The announcement will be made within three weeks.

September 04, 2007

Women's Pro League to Start in 2009

Abby Wambach and her U.S. teammates will have a new pro soccer league to look forward to after the Women's World Cup and the Olympics.
Its launch has been bumped back a year to 2009, when the seven-team pro Women's Soccer LLC is set to begin in the spring, league commissioner Tonya Antonucci announced Tuesday.
Teams will be based in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York, St. Louis, and Washington. Several teams are expected to play in MLS soccer-specific stadiums.

September 01, 2007

UNC 0, South Carolina 1

Erin Sullivan scored on a header in the 16th minute as the University of South Carolina women's soccer team (1-0) held on to defeat top-ranked North Carolina, 1-0, in the season opener for both teams.