WUSA ceases operations

Union-Tribune Articles Today

Lead Article in the Sports Section

WUSA's end not a shock for Spirit - But it's still a big blow for players, by Mark Zeigler

"You knew it was a possibility, but with all these great, amazing people fighting for it, you never thought that we would actually lose," said Pickup, a defender who had been with the Spirit since its inception in 2001. "I'm just heartbroken, absolutely devastated."

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/uniontrib/tue/sports/news_1s16spirit.html

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Article on the front page of paper

Women's pro soccer league suspends operations - San Diego club folds with 7 other teams, by Mark Zeigler

This is a sad day, and not just for soccer," said Brian Quinn, the coach of the indoor San Diego Sockers. "I'm going to have a disappointed 13-year-old at home tonight. The WUSA was more than just a soccer league. This will kill a lot of dreams and aspirations of young girls."

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/uniontrib/tue/news/news_1n16wusa.html

 

San Diego Lost Their Spirit

Thanks for posting the link to the U-T article, tsunami. The collapse of the WUSA received coverage on at least three of the local news stations. On KUSI Dave Presher was interviewed and Allie Sullivan was also shown helping with a youth soccer practice and came on briefly at the end of the piece and asked if the station had any jobs available. I wonder how many of the Spirit players will continue to stay in the San Diego area?

 

From the North County Times:

Demise of women's soccer league claims Spirit, seven other teams

I was lying in bed last night trying to win a championship," general manager Dave Presher said. "My initial reaction was about the players, staff and fans. I was sad for the girls across San Diego who were inspired by the Spirit. I think San Diego was so supportive of the Spirit, and it's hard to understand (the league's closing) because we were a success."

http://nctimes.com/articles/2003/09/16/sports/professional/9_14_0322_56_11.txt

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I agree with the sentiments expressed by jscott23 (in the middle of the 8th page of the thread that flashman references). Those of us in San Diego at least have the chance to support the WPSL (the San Diego Womens Football Club); along with various colleges (like USD, UCSD, SDSU), high schools and youth clubs.

 

This was in the 'Goal!' section of today's Union-Tribune, headed by a picture of the players holding up that "Thanks to the Best Fans! We (Heart) U" after the last game of the first season...

Failed experiment - Reasons for WUSA's demise are numerous, by Mark Zeigler

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/uniontrib/wed/sports/news_z1s17goal.html

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One of the two 'Trophies' handed out by Mark this time:

SD Spirit - The sad part about the WUSA folding is that it was no fault of the Spirit, the league's model franchise. The problem was that the WUSA didn't have eight San Diego Spirits.

And one of the two 'Red Cards' issued:

Corporate America - Something's terribly wrong with our society when shoe companies will pay a high school basketball player $90 million but won't ante up for the WUSA and its wholesome role models.

 

Loss of women's soccer team is a loss for San Diego, by Jennifer Coburn

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/uniontrib/fri/opinion/news_coburn19.html