Borislow was seen by many, including himself, to be the savior to the struggling league when at the 11th hour he stepped in and committed to field a team for the 2011 season.  Perhaps it was in this haste that the other team owners and league officials didn’t realize the type of person they were dealing with in Borislow.  They soon found out as the narcissistic owner didn’t comply with several league requirements and even had a grievance filed by players and the WPS Players Union to the league for violations of the Standard Player Contract Provision, the FIFA Code of Ethics, WPS Media Policy and U.S. Soccer Federation Coaching Requirements.

It’s unfortunate that the situation has reached this point but perhaps the WPS can settle these matters and use this time to strengthen the league and seek out additional owners for the 2013 season.  However, if things go against the owners in the legal matters I would imagine the WPS will fold and possibly see the teams join other leagues or create a new league, perhaps with a single entity plan similar to Major League Soccer.  Many potential owners have backed away from investing in the league because of it’s current structure.

The only solace fans can take is that with the USWNT winning the CONCACAF qualifying tournament they will be a part of the 2012 London Summer Olympics which will run between July 25th and August 9th.  Because of the Olympics and the reduction in number of teams to 5 the 2012 WPS season was going to be shortest season thus far. With pre-olympic camps the USWNT players would likely only have played 9 or 10 games this season with their club teams. If you want to see women’s soccer in person you can still check out the 2011 USL W-League champion Atlanta Silverbacks.  In addition to the men’s team they also field a women’s team that consistently is in contention for the championship.  Their season traditionally runs from May through July.

WOMEN’S PROFESSIONAL SOCCER SUSPENDS PLAY FOR 2012 SEASON

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (January 30, 2012) – Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) announced today that its Board of Governors has voted to suspend the 2012 season to permit the League to focus on the resolution of certain pending legal issues and the challenges that now face the League as a result of its ongoing dispute with a former owner.

“We are proud of what the League has accomplished in the first three seasons, but we do recognize the necessity to resolve our existing legal and operational issues so that we can continue to support and grow WPS the right way,” said Sky Blue FC Owner Thomas Hofstetter. “This was a very difficult decision, but one we as owners feel is the best business decision for the League at this time.”

The Board voted on Monday morning to suspend the 2012 season. Over the last year the league has faced significant challenges, including a lengthy and expensive legal battle with a former owner. The litigation has diverted resources from investment in the league and has forced the Board to take action, suspending the 2012 season in order to address the legal issues head‐on before moving forward with competition.

“We firmly believe there is a place in the global sports landscape for Women’s Professional Soccer,” said WPS CEO Jennifer O’Sullivan. “Making the decision to suspend the 2012 season was a difficult and painful one, but it is necessary to take the time to address current issues and solidify our business in order to provide appropriate support needed to achieve the League’s long‐term goals. Those that take part in our League ‐ players, partners and fans ‐ deserve the best, and that is what we are taking the time to ensure we deliver when we resume play in 2013 and beyond.”

WPS has established its plans to return to play in 2013, and all five owners of the League’s existing teams ‐ Atlanta Beat, Boston Breakers, Philadelphia Independence, Sky Blue FC and Western New York Flash ‐ will remain active with the CEO, Jennifer O’Sullivan, in the governance of WPS throughout the current year.

“We are deeply grateful to our fans and partners for the tremendous support they have shown for WPS, our players and the sport,” added O’Sullivan. “With our supporters and athletes in mind, we are committed to complete the hard work necessary to resume play in 2013 and reestablish WPS as the premiere women’s professional soccer league in the world.”

So what are your thoughts concerning the 2012 season being suspended? Do you think the WPS will be back in 2013?

Abby Wambach, of magicJack, had the first dangerous chance of the night in the opening minutes. In the 8th minute of regulation Atlanta’s Lori Chalupny took a feed from Kelly Parker but sent it just wide. It was an open game with chances on both sides. Parker had several good looks but struggled to put the ball on frame. The Beat defense played good in the first half and shut down the magicJack offense.

In the second half the game slowed down a bit as the heat started to wear on the players. With magicJack playing on a short week they settle in defensively and looked to capitalize off counter attack and set piece opportunities. Afterwards many of the National Team players talked about how difficult it’s been to prepare for these games with all that has been going on since their return from Germany.

In the 72′ minute of play Wambach was substituted off to cheers from the crowd. It was Wambach’s replacement, Lisa DeVanna, who almost put the game away in the waning minutes with a breakaway one-on-one opportunity but Atlanta Beat goalkeeper, Allison Whitworth, came up big once more stopping the shot long enough for a defender to come in and hit it out of bounds.  Allison had a fantastic game and was the difference between earning a point and taking the loss.  Unfortunately earning only a point wasn’t enough as the Beat fell out of contention for the final playoff spot. So the Beat won at the gate with attendance, tied in a scoreless draw, and lost their shot at the playoffs and winning the WPS Championship.

After the game Whitworth had this to say about the sold-out stadium.

“It was amazing.  We want to play in front of a [full stadium] — and these are the crowds we can have in Atlanta. We want them to love what we do, love the game, and come watch good soccer.”

The fans were treated to a post-game fireworks display to help cap off the evening but the day wasn’t over. At least not for the players who remained for nearly an hour longer signing autographs and posing for pictures with their fans.  Chants of “Abby, Abby, Abby” echoed through the stadium as they waited for the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup Silver Boot winner to make her way around.

With the heat, the game, the media attention, and fans clamoring I could understand the players just making an appearance and then heading off to catch their breath and start their recovery process.  But they understand that they have a chance to capitalize on this energy to help the struggling Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) league gain some momentum and hopefully retain these new and reinvigorated fans.

Wambach had this to say on the topic of WPS maintaining the momentum from the recent World Cup.

“If we continue to play good soccer -  the buzz is out there from the World Cup, we’ve just got to keep it alive and do our part as players by getting out into the community and as role models to keep it alive and keep the word out there.”

The Beat host Alex Morgan and Marta of the Western New York Flash on Saturday, Aug. 6 during PUMA’s Project Pink night. The Atlanta Beat chose the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer as their PUMA Project Pink charity of choice. Wear pink, do good: a simple request, but one that could help change the lives of women across the country. For more information on Project Pink, visit www.puma.com/projectpink .

Tickets are still available for their home finale on Aug. 6 at KSU Soccer Stadium. Call 678-298-4780 or visit www.TheAtlantaBeat.com for more information.

Do you think we’ll see another sellout? Who are you more excited to see from the Western New York Flash, Alex Morgan or Marta?

WPS Women’s World Cup Heroes include:

ATLANTA BEAT: CARLI LLOYD (USA), HEATHER MITTS (USA), KELLY PARKER (Canada)

MAGICJACK:       ABBY WAMBACH, HOPE SOLO, MEGAN RAPINOE, SHANNON BOXX, CHRISTIE RAMPONE, BECKY SAUERBRUNN (ALL USA)

The game starts at 7 PM but the pre-game celebration begins at 6:45 PM. In addition to the World Cup Heroes the Beat will also be recognizing local heroes from the Military, Police, and Fire & Rescue.

After the match there will be fireworks and an autograph session for the fans. Click here for tickets.

This past Wednesday when Western NY Flash took on magicJack they had over 15,000 in attendance.  It’s Atlanta’s turn to show up and support women’s soccer. Do you think this could be the first sell-out game at KSU Soccer Stadium?

This past Saturday the Beat took on last place Sky Blue FC.  Sky Blue FC was looking to earn their first win of the season while the Beat were hoping to take some points from the only team they have beaten so far this year.  Sky Blue kept the clean sheet in route to their largest margin of victory in franchise history as they won 3-0.  In his midweek report coach James Galanis had this to say

“We knew that coming into the season we would have a young team with a vision to build an exciting team of the future. Although the recent results have not been great, we are investing in the future by learning valuable lessons that will make us better long term. It’s going to take time before all these young players are able to give peak performances on a week in and week out basis. Our opponents’ squads are 80 percent veterans and 20 percent inexperienced players, but we are the exact opposite. Proud of my team, and we will keep fighting. “

In an effort to bolster the roster and improve that mix of veterans to rookies the Beat announced a trade with the first place Western New York Flash. In exchange for their 2012 1st and 2nd round picks the Beat added defender Julianne Sitch and midfielder Kelly Parker. Both Sitch and Parker have played in WPS since its inception when they both played on the 2009 WPS Champion Sky Blue FC.

“Julianna is a tough tackling player with good distribution skills,” said Beat head coach James Galanis. “She can play center mid and outside back, but she has also played various other positions. Kelly Parker is a player that can play center mid, outside mid, and up top. She is very experienced and versatile. She threads nice passes and is dangerous when she gets herself in goal scoring positions.”

In other news, a third Atlanta Beat player will be going to the 2011 Women’s World Cup in Germany.  In addition to Carli Lloyd and Heather Mitts making the USWNT World Cup roster Cat Whitehill joins the ESPN World Cup broadcast team.  Hopefully we’ll get a chance to see all three in the upcoming Send-Off Match on June 5th at Red Bull Arena that will broadcast live on ESPN2.  Mitts may be the biggest question mark as she is trying to recover from a hamstring injury.  This may be her last chance to convince Pia Sundhage, USWNT coach, that she deserves to keep her spot on the squad. Check out this article at USSoccer.com for more on her battle to earn a spot and finally make the World Cup.

The next chance to see the Beat in action at home will be June 11th against magicJack at 7PM (changed from 6PM).  The last home game was played in front of over 6,000 fans. The Beat are hoping to continue that trend and are offering the following specials for this upcoming game:

• 4 West Sideline Tickets, 4 Meal Vouchers, PLUS one 2010 worn and washed game jersey – $100
• 4 General Admission Tickets and 4 Meal Vouchers – $60

Meal vouchers include a hot dog, chips, and a drink.  These packages are available at https://tickets.theatlantabeat.com/Online/ towards the bottom of the page under Ticket Packages.

What are your thoughts on the Beat so far this year? Do you think they’ll be able to make up ground when the National Team players leave for the World Cup?

Have you gotten your tickets yet for the upcoming Atlanta Pro Soccer Challenge? This is Atlanta’s chance to see MLS teams play as the Columbus Crew, New England Revolution, and Houston Dynamo compete in a preseason tournament at the KSU Soccer Stadium in Kennesaw, GA.  This should be a great tournament as teams will likely be putting their first 11 on the field as part of final preparations before the MLS season starts.

Atlanta won’t be the only southern city playing host to MLS teams.  The WALT DISNEY WORLD® Pro Soccer Classic kicks off on February 24th and will feature FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo and Toronto FC, along with Orlando City of the USL. Teams have also been announced for the Carolina Challenge Cup. Toronto FC, DC United, and Chicago Fire will play a preseason round robin tournament with host Charleston Battery from March 5th through the 12th.  Prior to their first match in Kennesaw will see the Crew and Revolution play a preseason game at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga on March 6th. Finley Stadium is home to Chattanooga FC of the National Premier Soccer League who’s average attendance last year was nearly 4,000.

Atlanta Silverbacks

Over the weekend we got word that the USSF has provisionally sanctioned NASL to operate a division 2 outdoors mens soccer league in the U.S. for the 2011 season. There is a conference call Monday at 3 pm in which U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati and NASL CEO Aaron Davidson will discuss the provisional sanctioning and likely the next steps which will be required before the 2012 season to have the “provisional” part dropped.  On the list of things to change is likely to be the ownership situation in Atlanta.  Specifically to remove Traffic USA from their partial ownership in the club.

To my knowledge no preseason plans or player acquisitions have been announced by the Silverbacks at this time. However Rodrigo Rios, Silverbacks Director of Soccer, discussed the upcoming season and recently announce coach Jose Manuel Abundis at the recent NASL combine.  You can also see more about Assistant coach and former MLS MVP Alex Pineda Chacon who was recently featured on MLSSoccer.com’s “Where are they now?“.

Atlanta Beat

One of the Atlanta Beat’s 2011 signings, Carli Lloyd, will be heading off to Portugal soon with the U.S. Women’s National Team to compete in the Algrave Cup.  The Beat recently announce their full 2011 Preseason Schedule and give you a chance to see the remade Beat and give them a chance to get to know each other as this is a completely different team then what was here at any point in time last year.  More on that soon.

Sunday, March 6
Atlanta Beat vs. University of South Florida (KSU Soccer Stadium – Closed Door)            12:00PM

Wednesday, March 9
Atlanta Beat vs. Auburn University (Auburn University, Auburn, AL)            7:00PM

Saturday, March 12
Atlanta Beat vs. Clemson University (KSU Soccer Stadium – Closed Door)            1:00PM

Saturday, March 19
Atlanta Beat vs. UNC (KSU Soccer Stadium)                                 12:00PM

*If you buy a $15 ticket for the UNC match it includes a ticket to the home opener on April 9th against the Boston Breakers.

Sunday, March 20
Atlanta Beat vs. Florida State (Walden Soccer Complex, Columbus, GA)      4:00PM

Sunday, March 27
Atlanta Beat vs. Florida (KSU Soccer Stadium – Closed Door)                               2:00PM

Tuesday, March 29
Atlanta Beat vs. Georgia (Turner Soccer Complex, Athens, GA)                     7:00PM

Sunday, April 3
Atlanta Beat vs. Auburn University (Spain Park HS Stadium, Hoover, AL)      4:00PM

National Premier Soccer League (NPSL)

In the 4th division of soccer in the U.S. we see a few changes taking place. An announcement from the Atlanta Silverbacks indicated that they will be fielding a reserve division this year. Formerly known as Atlanta FC, the new Atlanta Silverback reserves will play their home matches at Silverback Park. One of their opponents will be the new Georgia Revolution who will play in Conyers, GA as part of the NPSL.

Are you as ready as I am to put the chaos of this off season behind us and start enjoying the game. What are you looking forward to most this upcoming season?