http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2008/08/11/daily2.html Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) announced Monday plans to put a team in Atlanta in 2010, which will be the second year of play for the league. Atlanta’s team will come into the league along with an expansion franchise from Philadelphia, joining teams in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York, St. Louis, and Washington D.C. Atlanta's WPS team name, logo, colors, coaching and front office staff will be announced later.
Better than having a women's team called the "Silverbacks." But, yes, it's great news no matter what they call them.
I am sure you would welcome it! The Beat had great support, a great record and passionate fans..... just was my least favorite of the old WUSA names.... might have something to do with me being a Breakers fan from Day 1 huh? In any case, another committed investor is great news, and Atlanta is a great location. I am happy for all the Beat fans, even the ones I used to "debate" with on a regular basis
Now, I'm as much of a Beat-hating Breakers fan as anyone (that team really did have our number, huh?), but in a league with a team called the CyberRays, I can't complain about the Beat name. I'm in favor of continuity with old WUSA team names/colors/logos - it helps old WUSA fans identify with the new league. Congrats Beat fans! It's interesting to see so many expansion plans when there are still a few 2009 teams that seem a bit shaky.
If by interesting, you mean, frightening, then yes. But happy thoughts, happy thoughts, and all that. (And you're spot on about the Cyberrays. )
You interpreted me correctly. I don't like that the first news we hear from Dallas is bad news, St. Louis has been very quiet, and I haven't heard a word from LA. It looks like the league should be in decent shape, if all goes well, by 2010, but this was already delayed a year. With a month until allocations, I can't help but think that things should be further along by now. Any idea how many teams they're aiming for?
Compared to the WUSA timeline from way back, it seems like things are progressing at a normal rate. But yet, the information coming out of the WPS is sluggish at best. I realize they don't have the buzz the WUSA did, but everything just seems to be trickling out, piece by piece. See here for the 2000 WUSA Timeline.* So, it's really not as far behind as we might think. BUT ... There's just something. I don't know. I guess I'm halfway expecting them to bail on the 2009 season, then do some promotional exhibition tour next summer with what teams/players they do have. Or do a mini season or something redonk to try and buy them some more time. Not really. I know they wanted 8 for their first year. Not sure how many expansion teams they're gunning for. * -- I'm not entirely convinced they did do player allocations in May. I could have sworn it was done after the Olympics. And I don't have my media guides handy to double check.
WPS needs to capitalize on any press that they can get -- and that's right now, during or just after the Olympics.
That thought crossed my mind too, but I think that would do incredible harm after already bailing on 2008. It sounds like Chicago, Boston, DC and NJ are on pretty solid ground at this point. The silence from LA bothers me, but it was pointed out to me that AEG already has the infrastructure in place, they need to flip a couple switches but they are not exactly a start-up operation. Dallas having no stadium and using that as a reason to postpone any other action bothers me.... particularly since that is the ONLY news out of Dallas. I know the Breakers had people in place and started marketing months before anything was settled regarding a venue. I suspect St Louis will do everything possible to make things happen there. Cooper has a strong track record and his group wants an MLS team too..... I think they will be putting their best foot forward.... So maybe 2009 opens with 6 teams, adding up to 4 more in 2010?
I am so afraid that they will bail on the season. I would rather see them play a single table season with the 7 teams, but will they have 7 teams ready to go? Maybe 4 or 5 unless things change in a hurry.
It looks like AEG has other things on their plate also. LA Galaxy, No full time coach, no general manager, team in disaray.
I am not sure what impact the GM/Coach issues the Galaxy are undergoing would have on the WPS side, and it doesn't impact there organizational/sales/operations at this point. At one time AEG was the investor/operator of how many MLS teams simultaneously, 3 or 4? Not to mention all their other holdings.
Digging out my old media guide, it says May 24, 2000. I do remember them announcing the Breakers allocated players at a Gold Cup match that summer. More from the Breakers 2001 media guide - their coach was hired in October. The international allocation draft was October 30, and the official unveiling of team names and logos was November 2. The Breakers did not announce their home venue until January 2001, though they were taking season ticket deposits well before that point. So you're right - the timeline is not that far off from WUSA, with the exception of earlier allocations. I guess it's just the fact that this was already deferred a year that makes me think they should be further along.
Another factor is that WUSA was single entity lending itself to big league-wide announcements, while we are getting things piecemeal by individual franchise, and some seem far ahead of others.... so maybe its just some are well ahead of the curve, making the others and league as whole seem behind.....
A new article: Johnson wants to bring championship team to Atlanta http://www.womensprosoccer.com/newsitem_ektid4258.aspx
Nice article. So refreshing that he wants to bring a winner to Atlanta! I am so tired of all those new owners who promise to provide a mediocre product to their fans!
I used to watch the beat play, especially since Maribel Dominguez played there, I went to a few games, the atmosphere was chill, family-like ... I miss those days, I had fun, atleast I got to watch a soccer ball kicked' around professionally hehehe... Cindy Parlow, and what was the Canadian Girl's name, she was really good
Charmain (sp?) Hooper! I think she's still playing for Canada, right? I do hope that the WPS starts next year and stays around. And I hope that Indianapolis gets a team!!!
Yep her Charmaine Hooper she was pretty awesome! Don't matter to me anymore if the Beat Errrr Atlanta gets a team, cuz am moving to Guadalajara, Mexico and will be watching MY Chivas play live.