Relax. Have fun. It's not an uptight wiki!

From BigSoccer Wiki

WUSA

The Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA) was an all-professional women’s soccer league that lasted for three regular seasons of play (2001-2003). It also held two ‘Festival’ double-header games in 2004. The WUSA was the only American league to receive level one certification from FIFA. Unfortunately, the league collapsed due to financial problems, having lost, according to some estimates, as much as $100 million. Six years later the Women's Professional Soccer league replace it.

Teams

There were eight teams in the league each year of play. One of the eight (the Courage) was originally scheduled to play in Orlando, FL. Another (the CyberRays) changed its name to San Jose for the 2002 & 2003 seasons. The eight teams were:

• The Atlanta Beat
• The Bay Area CyberRays (name changed to San Jose for 2002 & 2003)
• The Boston Breakers
• The Carolina Courage
• The New York Power
• The Philadelphia Charge
• The San Diego Spirit
• The Washington Freedom

Season Champions

• The first season champions were the CyberRays
• The second season champions were the Courage
• The third season champions were the Freedom

Rosters

Each of the eight teams were allotted three “Founding” players, who were members of the US National Women’s Team that won the 1999 World Championship. They were also allowed to have up to four international players on their roster. The league signed 16 internationals that were paired off for a special ‘draft.’ After that draft, each team would be able to select two more internationals by the later regular draft or by ‘discovery process.’ The rest of the roster spots for each team were to be composed of players taken in the regular draft. Most of those were post-college ones who played in either the WPSL or W-League.

Founding Players

Were mostly assigned according to where the players were based at the time of league creation. Example: the Spirit received Joyce Fawcett, Julie Foudy, and Shannon MacMillan because all were from Southern California and all had seniority.

International Players (special draft)

Draft order was determined by what the strength of the Founding Players were for each team. Thus, the Spirit were placed last.