Boston's Bradley calls W-League "Mickey Mouse"

"Whether we've been successful or not on the field, players who come here know we're professional in terms of training environment," Bradley explained. "It's not Mickey Mouse like at other W-League teams."

Sundhage' selection

Goalkeepers: Nicole Barnhart, Hope Solo
Defenders: Rachel Buehler, Lori Chalupny, Stephanie Cox, Kate Markgraf, Christie Rampone, Cat Whitehill
Midfielders: Shannon Boxx, Tobin Heath, Angela Hucles, Carli Lloyd, Leslie Osborne, Lindsay Tarpley, Kacey White
Forwards: Lauren Cheney, Natasha Kai, Heather O'Reilly, Amy Rodriguez, Abby Wambach

Pre-season scores

Texas A&M 2, Purdue 1
Notre Dame 4, TCU 0
Pali Blues (W-League) 6, University of Southern California 0
FC Indiana (W-League) 6, University of South Florida 0

Pali Blues adds Andrews and McNamara

The Pali Blues Soccer Club made official today the acquisitions of defenders Beth McNamara and Sasha Andrews. The duo joins the Blues in the Pacific Palisades with a combined three USL W-League championships already in their trophy cases.

West Virginia 3, Sparta Prague 2

The West Virginia University women’s soccer team used a three-goal effort from Megan Mischler to open its spring break tour with a 3-2 win over Sparta Prague Monday night in Prague, Czech Republic.

Wheddon to Syracuse

Phil Wheddon, an assistant coach and the goalkeeper coach for the United States Women's National Soccer Team, is Syracuse University's new women's soccer coach, director of athletics Dr. Daryl Gross announced today.

Cocoa Expos join WPSL

SACRAMENTO, CA (03/24/08) - The Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) is proud to announce that the Brevard County Cocoa Expos have been awarded rights to a franchise in one of the top leagues in the world starting this Summer 2008 season.
Head Coach & Executive Director James Kryger announced the new franchise affiliation with the WPSL to the community this week and added his feelings about the organization joining the WPSL.
The Expos make the jump from the USL W-League Atlantic Division, which they were a member of the last two years and undoubtedly own one of the best franchise starts in W-League history. Coach Kryger is happy with the move to the WPSL.
"The move for us away from the W-League and into one of the world's best leagues - the WPSL - was an easy decision," said Kryger. "We feel very confidently that the competition and rivalries that a Florida based division will attract is influential in the overall development of our players and in attracting the best women's soccer to the fields of Brevard County."

Washington announces first 12 players

The Washington Freedom announced today that 12 players would be returning to the team from the 2007 W-League Championship team roster. WUSA veterans Kele Golebiowski, Emily Janss, Lori Lindsey, Christie Welsh and Casey Zimny lead the list which also includes first year Freedom players Ali Andrzejewski, Sarah Huffman, Rebecca Moros, Kati Jo Spisak as well as Tiffany McCarty, Kerry Philbin and Chante Sandiford who have moved up through the Freedom’s youth teams.

WPS reality check

With 12 months to go we evaluate the league's status.
BOSTON
GM: Yes
Head Coach: Yes
Staff: Yes
Stadium: Yes
CHICAGO
GM: Yes
Head Coach: No
Staff: No
Stadium: Yes
DALLAS
GM: No
Head Coach: No
Staff: No
Stadium: No
LA
GM: No
Head Coach: No
Staff: No
Stadium: ?
NEW YORK
GM: Yes
Head Coach: Yes
Staff: Yes
Stadium: Yes
ST. LOUIS
GM: No
Head Coach: No
Staff: No
Stadium: ?
WASHINGTON
GM: Yes
Head Coach: Yes
Staff: Yes
Stadium: Yes

WPSL adds Arizona team

The Southwest Division has heated up as the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) proudly announces the acceptance of the Arizona Rush for this upcoming Summer 2008 season.
Arizona Rush will play its home games at the University of Arizona's Murphey Stadium. The immaculate grass pitch, coupled with the University's modern stadium seating, will create a competitive and enjoyable atmosphere for Rush, the community of Tucson and the WPSL.

Charlie Naimo's coaching kit available

Charlie’s Coaching kit, a resource created for the fan, coach and player. Users can get an insider’s view of the Pali Blues training session, including video tutorials and practice plans.

Rochester under new ownership

United Soccer Leagues announced that Adirondack Sports Club LLC has acquired the USL First Division and W-League franchise rights for the greater Rochester area. The Rochester Rhinos will call the newly built PAETEC Park home.
"Rochester soccer has created an outstanding tradition of success, and has built one of the finest soccer facilities in the nation with the assistance of the City of Rochester and State of New York," said USL Executive Vice President and COO Tim Holt. "We are confident the Adirondack Sports Club ownership group, led by Robert Clark, will solidify Rochester as one of the cornerstones of professional soccer in North America, building upon the traditions of the past and the potential of the future."
The change, arrived at via the discontinuation of the franchise rights with Empire Professional Soccer LLC and the acquisition of those franchise rights by Adirondack Sports Club LLC, will also be recognized through the modification on the team's past nickname to the shortened ‘Rochester Rhinos' and the introduction of a new team logo.

Pre-season scores

University of Utah 3, Uruguay WNT 1
Illinois 2, Mexico WNT 0
Notre Dame 2, Mexico WNT 1
Tampa Bay Hellenic (W-League) 3, University of South Florida 0
FC Indiana (W-League) 3, Purdue University 0

US WNT training roster

Training Camp Roster
GOALKEEPERS (4): Nicole Barnhart (Gilbertsville, Pa.), Kristin Luckenbill (Paoli, Pa.), Briana Scurry (Dayton, Minn.), Hope Solo (Richland, Wash.);
DEFENDERS (9): Rachel Buehler (Del Mar, Calif.), Lori Chalupny (St. Louis, Mo.), Stephanie Cox (Elk Grove, Calif.), Keeley Dowling (Carmel, Ind.), Kate Markgraf (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), Heather Mitts (Cincinnati, Ohio), Christie Rampone (Point Pleasant, N.J.), India Trotter (Plantation, Fla.), Cat Whitehill (Birmingham, Ala.);
MIDFIELDERS (8): Shannon Boxx (Redondo Beach, Calif.), Tobin Heath (Basking Ridge, N.J.), Angela Hucles (Virginia Beach, Va.), Carli Lloyd (Delran, N.J.), Leslie Osborne (Brookfield, Wis.), Lindsay Tarpley (Kalamazoo, Mich.), Kacey White (Arlington, Texas), Angie Woznuk (El Cajon, Calif.);
FORWARDS (5): Lauren Cheney (Indianapolis, Ind.), Natasha Kai (Kahuku, Hawaii), Heather O’Reilly (East Brunswick, N.J.), Amy Rodriguez (Lake Forest, Calif.), Abby Wambach (Rochester, N.Y.).

Pali Blues

"This will be one of the best women's teams in the world by May," Naimo predicted. "We have a future pro in every position and we're very diverse. Half of the players are from California and the others are from all over who have played in the World Cup and the Olympics."

Force, Freedom to square off in Rapids' Women's Soccer Celebration

The Colorado Rapids have joined with the W-League’s Fort Collins Force to present a soccer doubleheader, featuring the highest level of women’s and men’s soccer in North America as part of the Rapids’ second annual Women’s Soccer Celebration.
On May 15, 2008, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park will host the Force’s duel with the defending W-League Champion Washington Freedom, kicking off at 4:30 p.m. The game will precede the Rocky Mountain Cup match-up between the Colorado Rapids and their arch-rivals Real Salt Lake, which will kick off at 7:30 pm MT.

Pali Blues add three

The Pali Blues Soccer Club announced today the additions of midfielders Kara Kabellis, Rosie Tantillo, Leah Tapscott and forward Kandace Wilson.

DNC Finance Chairman buys Jersey Sky Blue

Philip Murphy, national finance chairman for the Democratic National Committee, Tuesday became a significant owner in Sky Blue Soccer, the company which owns Jersey Sky Blue of the United Soccer Leagues W-League and will operate the yet-named New York/New Jersey franchise in Women's Professional Soccer, which debuts in May 2009.
Murphy serves on Sky Blue Soccer's board of directors and has served on the US Soccer board of directors since 2005.
A former management committee member with Goldman Sachs for 20 years, Murphy also volunteer with many organizations.

Notre Dame 2, Mexico 1

Freshman midfielder Lauren Fowlkes (Lee's Summit, Mo./St. Teresa's) nodded home a pinpoint pass from junior forward Kerri Hanks (Allen, Texas/Allen) in the 72nd minute, lifting the Notre Dame women's soccer team to a 2-1 exhibition victory over the Mexican Olympic Team on Friday night before a spirited crowd of 1,541 fans at Alumni Field. With the win, the Irish improve to 5-1-1 in seven exhibition matches against Mexico during the past eight seasons.

Hampton Roads name GM

Debra Anderson has been named General Manager of the Piranhas’ W-League and PDL teams and will also serve as administrator of the club’s six Super Y-League teams. Anderson, a retired Marine, served as director of operations, and volunteer and game day coordinator in 2007. She has been a long-time volunteer for the Piranhas and Virginia Beach Travel Soccer Inc. (Beach FC).

Vancouver 1, Univ of Victoria 0

Vancouver Whitecaps FC women made an early start to the 2008 season with a 1-0 victory over the University of Victoria Vikes women's team on Sunday afternoon.

Patraw whistle blower complaint dismissed

Nevada State Personnel Commission Administrative Hearing Officer Bill Kockenmeister has dismissed the Whistle Blower complaint filed by former Nevada women's soccer coach Terri Patraw.
The lawsuit that Patraw has filed against the school and several of its officials is still pending. Patraw was effectively fired by the school before the start soccer season last fall.
"It appears to the undersigned administrative hearing officer, based on a review of the extensive written record and the demeanor of the numerous witnesses, that Petitioner (Patraw) was terminated because of the reasons discussed by Ms. Groth," said Kockenmiester in releasing his decision. "That is, that Petitioner consistently failed to follow the directions of her supervisors, (associate athletic director) Ms. (Cindy) Fox and (athletic director) Ms. (Cary) Groth, that Ms. Groth lost confidence in Petitioner after the anonymous emails were sent, and that Petitioner's constant threats of resignation and complaints about her salary had a negative impact on the athletics department."
"We expected this decision based on the facts," Groth said. "We are pleased with the decision and we will continue to focus our energies on moving our program forward with integrity."

Pali Blues sign three Aussies

The Pali Blues Soccer Club today announced the acquisitions of three established players with the Australia National Team. Pending international clearance, midfielder Collette McCallum, forward Sarah Walsh and forward Caitlin Munoz are set to play for the Blues this summer in their inaugural season in the USL W-League.
McCallum comes to the Blues with 38 games of international experience with the Australian National Team, also known as the Matildas, scoring eight goals. She made her national team debut in January of 2005 against China. The 2006 FIFA U-20 World Cup All-Star has been a key member of squads in the 2004 FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championships in Thailand, 2006 AFC Asian Women’s Cup in Adelaide, 2006 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Championship in Russia and the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup in China.
Walsh brings to the Blues 52 international caps and has recorded 25 goals in those contests. She gained her first cap with the Matildas in a 2-0 win over New Zealand in the 2004 Australia Cup. Some highlights of her highly-acclaimed career include the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, 2006 AFC Asian Women’s Cup in Adelaide and 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup in China.
Munoz joins the Blues with 38 caps for the Matildas, netting 12 goals. She logged her first minutes of international play in March of 2005 against Japan. In a May 2006, match up against Mexico, she registered her first hat-trick when she tallied three scores in a 4-0 victory. She has also played a critical role in the offense of the Matildas in the 2006 AFC Women’s Cup in Adelaide and the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup in China.

USA 2, Italy 0

The US took the lead on a Lindsay Tarpley goal, and they never looked back. A late goal by Heather O'Reilly rounded out the scoresheet in what was a 2-0 victory over Italy.

Is Jamie Trecker right?

WUSA 2001-2003: DiCicco, Sawyers, Foudy, Cummings, McDermott....
WPS 2009-?: DiCicco, Sawyers, Foudy, Cummings, McDermott....

Its getting spooky. People who mismanaged the pro league five years ago are back at it again.

USA 4, China 0

The U.S. received goals from Lindsay Tarpley, Tobin Heath, Abby Wambach and Carli Lloyd.

Mr. Julie Foudy to coach NY-NJ

Sky Blue Soccer, which owns the as yet-unnamed New York-New Jersey team, will officially designate Sawyers the coach and general manager on Wednesday, said co-owner Thomas Hofstetter.

Nevada investigated by NCAA

In a whistle-blower letter sent last fall, fired women's soccer coach Terri Patraw alleged that a coach, later identified as Merritt, provided the benefits, gambled on sports at local casinos, provided cash incentives to players and paid a player to eat a teammate's regurgitated food, all of which are NCAA violations.

Sky Blue add Stewart

Sky Blue Soccer announced today a new addition to its W-League team for the 2008 season with Erica Stewart signing to play for Jersey Sky Blue. A former standout at Villanova University, Stewart joins Jersey Sky Blue as it prepares for its second season in the W-League.

Texas A&M 4, Mexico U20 1

Freshman transfer Alyssa Mautz scored a goal in each half to pace the defending Big 12 champion Texas A&M soccer team to a 4-1 win over the Mexico U20 National Team Saturday afternoon in front of 935 fans at the Aggie Soccer Stadium.

Pali Blues get Vert Fitness as sponsor

The Pali Blues Soccer Club is pleased to announce that VERT Fitness is now an official sponsor of the team. VERT Fitness comes aboard for what is the inaugural season of the W-League expansion team, the Pali Blues.
Along with on-site physical therapy in their Santa Monica location, VERT will also conduct private training sessions for the Blues twice a week.
“VERT is the perfect partner as they are on the cutting edge of technology in their field. We are already looking for innovative ways to further our players’ development,” Pali Blues head coach Charlie Naimo stated. “The players that have already used the facility are as excited as I’ve ever seen athletes when it comes to strength and fitness training.”