Michigan gets Greg Ryan

Greg Ryan, the former head coach of the U.S. women's national team, will be named the University of Michigan's head women's soccer coach, multiple sources have confirmed.

Icelandic goalkeeper rejects offer from US team

Gudbjörg Gunnarsdóttir, goalkeeper for Valur, the Icelandic champion in both male and female football (soccer), rejected an offer to join the American soccer team FC Indiana yesterday due to more exciting projects at home.

Pali Blues add two more internationals

As their inaugural season in the USL W-League approaches for the Pali Blues Soccer Club, the team continues to add accomplished players to their talented roster, announcing the addition of Manya Makoski and Danesha Adams.

Rochester could lose stadium

Citing a newly filed lawsuit claiming that the Rochester Rhinos organization defaulted on nearly $11 million in bank loans, city officials said Monday that they are contemplating steps to take over PAETEC Park.
The city already has met with a potential investor who the professional soccer franchise hopes will bail it out. Or the Rhinos' bankers could step in and operate the team.

US WNT Camp

U.S. CAMP ROSTER:
GOALKEEPERS:
Cori Alexander (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Kristen Luckenbill (FC Indiana)
Briana Scurry (U.S. Soccer residency)
Hope Solo (U.S. Soccer residency);
DEFENDERS:
Stephanie Cox (Univ. of Portland)
Marian Dalmy (U.S. Soccer residency)
Keeley Dowling (Orebro, Sweden)
Tobin Heath (Univ. of North Carolina)
Amy LePeilbet (U.S. Soccer residency)
Kate Markgraf (U.S. Soccer residency)
Heather Mitts (U.S. Soccer residency)
Christie Rampone (U.S. Soccer residency)
Becky Sauerbrunn (Univ. of Virginia)
Brittany Taylor (Univ. of Connecticut)
India Trotter (U.S. Soccer residency)
Cat Whitehill (U.S. Soccer residency)
MIDFIELDERS:
Shannon Boxx (U.S. Soccer residency)
Jen Buczkowski (Chicago Gaels)
Lori Chalupny (U.S. Soccer residency)
Tina DiMartino (UCLA)
Angela Hucles (U.S. Soccer residency)
Lindsay Huie (no team)
Sarah Huffman (Washington Freedom)
Noelle Keselica (Richmond Kickers Destiny)
Carli Lloyd (U.S. Soccer residency)
Joanna Lohman (Washington Freedom)
Manya Makoski (Jersey Sky Blue)
Leslie Osborne (U.S. Soccer residency)
Angie Woznuk (Univ. of Portland)
FORWARDS:
Lauren Cheney (UCLA)
Natasha Kai (U.S. Soccer residency)
Heather O'Reilly (U.S. Soccer residency)
Amy Rodriguez (USC)
Lindsay Tarpley (U.S. Soccer residency)
Abby Wambach (U.S. Soccer residency)
Tiffany Weimer (SoccerPlus Connecticut)
Christie Welsh (Washington Freedom)

WPSL loses one of its top clubs

River Cities FC of the St. Louis area spent just two seasons in the WSPL. As of January 1 2008 RCFC has decided to cease operations.

DiCicco takes over U-20 team

Tony DiCicco, the U.S. women's national team coach from 1994-99, took over the U.S. under-20 women's squad Friday.
DiCicco replaces Jillian Ellis, who has been hired by current U.S. women's national team head coach Pia Sundhage as an assistant on her staff through the 2008 Olympics, should the United States qualify in April.

Chicago Pro Women’s Soccer partners with FC Indiana

USL W-League’s FC Indiana and Chicago Professional Women’s Soccer of the newly formed WPS have joined forces to grow the sport of women’s soccer in the Midwest, the two teams announced today.

Wait almost over for Janss, Lindsey & Welsh

Waiting. That’s what Emily Janss, Lori Lindsey and Christie Welsh have been doing for over four years.
All three played in the WUSA and since that league suspended operations in September 2003 have sought to keep their professional dreams alive. Their path has been an arduous one. Largely solitary, it has meandered through ravines of false hope and thickets of questions.

Where will WPS find its fans?

This tells us a number of things about WPS. First, in their opinion the WUSA name either carried too many negative connotations or they didn't believe they could afford the marks. Second, it’s serious about sticking to its financially tight business plan even if it cost them recognizable names for the league and some markets. Finally, if it can make such deals as the Breakers and still come across as likable, the public relations charm offensive in Baltimore wasn’t just a fake display. The new league really needs all the friends it can get.

Rochester wants WPS team

With Women's Professional Soccer already putting down roots as the country's next women's pro soccer league, Rochester Rhinos co-owner Frank DuRoss still hopes his organization can field a team in the new organization.
However, he adds that the most crucial piece to a successful Rochester franchise would be Abby Wambach playing for her hoemtown team. It's so crucial, in fact, that DuRoss says he would have to think long and hard about establishing a franchise at all if Wambach wasn't on board.

USA 1, China 0

The U.S. Women’s National Team scored a 77th minute goal off a header from midfielder Shannon Boxx to earn a 1-0 victory over China and win the 2008 Four Nations Tournament. It was the first tournament title for new U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage.

A-Rod and Buhler to play in WPSL

The Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) has announced that West Coast F.C has been awarded rights to a franchise. The WPSL now has over 40 teams competing in 6 conferences across the United States and WCFC will be amongst three new organizations in the revamped, 11-team West for the Summer 2008 season.
WCFC women's will feature local players, top college stars from across the United States as well as international players from Mexico and the U.S. Women's National Team Pool. Featured signings includes the likes of: USWNT Pool members Amy Rodriguez & Rachel Buehler, Mexican WNT star Iris Mora, Nicole Schied of Cal State Fullerton and UCLA's Whitney Jones Pridham.

USA 4, Finland 1

Goals: Tarpley (2), Cheney, Woznuk

WPS website launched

Formally announced in September, the much-anticipated women's professional soccer league launching in Spring 2009 now has a name, Women's Professional Soccer (WPS). With the unveiling of the league logo and launch of its website, www.womensprosoccer.com, WPS made its official debut today at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) annual convention, taking place through Saturday in Baltimore, Md.

New W-League team in Tampa

United Soccer Leagues and Hellenic, LLC are proud to announce the formation of the Tampa Bay Hellenic, a member of the United Soccer Leagues’ W-League. The Hellenic will begin play in 2008 as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Hellenic, LLC is fronted by George Fotopolous and Maryanne Bishop.

LA Legends formed

The ownership of the Los Angeles Storm Premier Development League team announced today the finalization of a merger of two local youth clubs in the area Glendora FC and FC Stampede with the PDL and its new sister W-League side, forging the newly-named Los Angeles Legends Football Club.

Dynamo name W-League coach

the Carolina Dynamo announced Art Rex as the Carolina Dynamo women’s head coach for the 2008 season.

Study Shows Benefits of Women in Sports

Predmore is a classic example of the study recently published by Kelly P. Troutman and BYU professor Mikaela J. Dufur.
This study, published in a recent edition of Youth & Society Journal, analyzes the research by Troutman and Dufur that shows that girls who participate in high school sports are 41 percent more likely to graduate from college than those who do not.
The percentages in some colleges were significantly higher than 41 percent, but Troutman and Dufur calculated several other influencing factors, leading them to their final numbers.

USA 4, Canada 0

Amy Rodriguez -- making her international debut -- and Linsday Tarpley scored two goals each for the Americans.

Dorrance, former player settle sexual harassment suit

A sexual harassment lawsuit against University of North Carolina women's soccer coach Anson Dorrance has been settled, with the university agreeing to pay former player Melissa Jennings $385,000 and Dorrance issuing an apology to all of his players for inappropriate discussions about sex.
The deal also requires the university to conduct a comprehensive review of its sexual harassment policies and procedures, according to a copy of the settlement obtained by The News & Observer. The settlement was approved by members of the UNC Board of Governors last week.
It was the second and final monetary settlement in the protracted lawsuit, which has been an embarrassing and expensive chapter for the university and its star soccer coach. In 2004, the other plaintiff, Debbie Keller -- a two-time national player of the year -- settled out of court for $70,000 and a requirement that Dorrance attend sensitivity training for eight years.

Rampone named captain, Wamabach overlooked

U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team head coach Pia Sundhage has named defender Christie Rampone as the team’s new captain.

Yamaguchi wins Hermann

Junior forward Mami Yamaguchi of Florida State University was named winner Friday of the 2007 Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy, presented to the top female player in NCAA Division I soccer.
The winner was decided by a vote of NCAA Division I soccer coaches who are current members of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

More Blues in California

The Santa Cruz and Monterey region can officially welcome a new top-level women's soccer team to their area, as the Monterey Blues will compete in the West Conference of the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) for the Summer 2008 season.

Western Nevada cuts women's soccer

When Western Nevada College athletic director John Kinkella called the school's women's soccer team together in November to tell them the school was dropping the program, many of the players initially thought he was joking.

Naimo 1, DiCicco 0

The Pali Blues Soccer Club announced today that Manya Makoski will be joining the team for their inaugural season in the USL W-League.
“I am very grateful and excited to be playing for the Blues in addition to being again coached by Charlie Naimo,” Makoski commented. “I want to become a better and more effective player, and I want to help my teammates achieve similar goals.”

Greg Ryan

Two cheers for Greg Ryan for coming on the Fox Soccer Channel show to talk about his perspective on the US teams performance at the World Cup.

Three jeers for Greg Ryan for his many inconsistencies in explaining his decisions.
Was Solo benched because:
- it was agreed in advance that Scurry would play against Brazil
- of Solo's team rules violations
- Scurry was better in training 2 days before the Brazil game

The US relied on long ball because:
- Ryan believes that there is no room for short passing in the women's game, "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," - September 19, 2007
- the US was too young and inexperienced to deal with pressure.
Here are ages of some of the US World Cup starters:
Lilly – 36
Rampone – 32 years old
Markgraf – 31
Boxx – 30
Wambach – 27
Whitehill – 25
Lloyd - 25
In reality the US had the highest average age in the tournament.

IF Solo violated team rules, Ryan did not spell it out right away because:
- Solo is a young player and he wanted to protect her. Of course Ryan's comment that Solo's mental state after being benched "is not my concern" reveals volumes.

Mr. Ryan, say no more, get a college job and enjoy your retirement.

Chicago hires Marcia McDermott

Former Northwestern women's soccer head coach Marcia McDermott has been appointed the general manager of Chicago's new pro women's soccer franchise. McDermott will oversee the franchise's coaching search and will work with team president Peter Wilt in hiring a front office staff. A coach is expected to be named next month.
After helping launch Northwestern's women's soccer program in 1994 as its first head coach, McDermott became the first head coach of the WUSA's Carolina Courage in 2001 and led the team to a Founder's Cup title in 2002. The following season she became the team's assistant general manager and director of ticket sales. Most recently, McDermott was an associate head coach with the University of Illinois women's soccer team.
As a player, McDermott won three national titles at the University of North Carolina (1983, 1984, 1986) and alse earned seven caps with the U.S. women's national team.
The new pro women's soccer league is expected to debut in the Spring of 2009.

W-League expands to West Virginia

The West Virginia Illusion announced Monday the formation of a USL W-League women’s soccer team for the 2008 season. The W-League franchise will be based in Morgantown and will be the first elite women’s soccer franchise in the history of the state of West Virginia.
The West Virginia Illusion will be members of the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division in 2008. The team will be coached by Joe Dorini, Director of Coaching for West Virginia United Soccer Club and Director of Soccer Operations at PROPerformanceRx, and will consist of past WVU stars as well as the best talent in the surrounding areas.

Pia Sundhage lovefest

"You just want to play for her," said Heather Mitts, who missed the World Cup while recovering from a torn ACL. "She wants us to play with passion and to enjoy the game as much as she does."

Boston Breakers and Connecticut Reds announce partnership

The Boston Breakers announced a relationship between the SoccerPlus Connecticut Reds of the Women’s Premier Soccer League and their affiliate youth club FSASoccerPlus FC.
The Boston Breakers of the new women’s professional soccer league will begin play in 2009, under the direction of head coach Tony DiCicco, the founder and current head coach of the Connecticut Reds.

Top W-League and WPSL coaches

The search for women’s pro league head coaches started and as coaches make the difference in women’s soccer, we are considering possible contenders. We intentionally left out college coaches from top collegiate programs as it will be difficult to lure them away.
The Legends - DiCicco , Gabarra
Tony DiCicco and Jim Gabarra are already in charge of Boston and Washington respectively.
Brian Boswell at Ajax, Charlie Naimo at Pali Blues and Shek Borkowski at Indiana have demonstrated their ability to win titles consistently. Whilst there are talented coaches at lesser known clubs (Mike Riley at Long Island) it is when you get the combination of a well run club and an astute coach that consistently good results start to happen. But if we are to go beyond the big five of Washington Freedom, Vancouver Whitecaps, FC Indiana, Soccer Plus and Ajax America then it may be to Ottawa and Long Island that we should look. Riley is a clever coach and Long Island has never lacked talented players.
Tony DiCicco – Soccer Plus Connecticut (WPSL)
No introduction needed. After the WUSA fiasco, DiCicco returned to coaching and had a good, not great WPSL season in 2007.
But, DiCicco does have a coaching record unmatched in the world of women’s soccer - particularly with the US WNT. He is best known as the coach of the US WNT from 1994-1999, during which time the team won an Olympic gold medal in 1996 and the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Jim Gabarra - Washington Freedom (W-League)
There are few greater success stories in women’s soccer than that of Jim Gabarra. He had a difficult time at the start at Washington but was never going to be pushed around by players however famous.
In 2001 the Freedom stumbled badly, finishing second to the bottom in the standings. In 2002, the Freedom made a complete turn around and made it to the WUSA championship only to fall 3-1 to the Carolina Courage. The next year, Gabarra led the Freedom to a WUSA championship, defeating the Atlanta Beat 2-1 in overtime.
Gabarra's brain is of course an acute one and his tactical ability very smart. But the thing that really sets Gabarra apart is his determination not to be pushed around by anybody - owners, players are always kept in line.
Brian Boswell - Ajax America (WPSL)
The Open Cup winner in 2000, 2003, 2004, and 2007, Boswell also led Ajax to WPSL championship in 2001.
The British born Boswell is blessed with an abundance of California soccer talent. Boswell’s experience should be enough to once again challenge for both WPSL and Open Cup titles and may make him a strong candidate. The Ajax America coach has won plenty of admirers for his coaching exploits. His side play a physical game with soccer which is pleasing to the eye and, most of all, they get results.
Charlie Naimo – Pacific Palisades (W-League)
While the Freedom and FC Indiana were winning league titles in their respective leagues, the highly fancied Jersey Sky Blue team failed to advance to W-League Final Four. Charlie Naimo, whose main success came with the New Jersey Wildcats, was very popular with Sky Blue fans who credit him with the comparative success of last season. Naimo is an energetic man who is famed for the motivational skills, while his strength of personality and unflinching belief suggest he can more than handle the rigors of the job and players. But he lacks the big game experience of Gabarra or DiCicco. He left the Wildcats two years ago and Jersey Sky Blue last summer after reports suggested his no-nonsense manner did not go down too well with his previous bosses.
Shek Borkowski - FC Indiana (W-League)
The exploits of Borkowski at FC Indiana have seen him emerge as a viable candidate. WPSL’s most successful coach of the last few seasons, he led FC Indiana to two WPSL titles in 2005 and 2007. He doesn't get too emotional. He's calm and he's able to bond together good players with a good winning attitude. And that is certainly part of Borkowski's success - he is a leader albeit with an understated style. Borkowski's team play effective and attacking soccer. FC Indiana moved to W-League after winning the WPSL title in 2007 and whether they can continue their success in the new league remains to be seen.
Denise Reddy – Jersey Sky Blue (W-League)
Good overseas playing pedigree, good knowledge of the Euro soccer scene. Reddy appeared in 336 games during her career with Malmö scoring 35 goals during her 10 years as Malmö’s starting center back serving as the team captain from 1999 to 2005. But it will be Reddy’s first head coaching position at this level.
Bob Birarda - Vancouver Whitecaps (W-League)
Despite having the best of everything in Vancouver, Birarda failed to lead his club to playoffs last season. But make no mistake, Birarda is well respected, experienced and qualified and expect that Vancouver will do much better in 08. Birarda’s teams tend to be well organized defensively and difficult to score on. Despite his benign public image, Birarda is a single-minded, does not like-to-lose coach.
Frank Lofranco - Ottawa Fury (W-League)
The way former Toronto striker Lofranco breathed life into the Ottawa Fury team and the vibrancy with which it plays is impressive. Lofranco is a proponent of possession oriented soccer and the thinking part of the game. Lofranco has led the Fury for the past 5 years during which the Fury has become one of most successful teams in the league. He led the club to four consecutive W-League Championship Finals (2003, 04, 05, 06).
Keith Jones – Atlanta Silverbacks (W-League)
Jones joined the Silverbacks as head coach in February 2007. He is a former professional player in the English Premier League, where he played with Charlton Athletic and Chelsea. He began coaching with the Chelsea FC Academy in London and last season led Atlanta to W-League title game where they lost to Gabarra’s Washington Freedom. Good young coach with a bright future in the women’s game.