The first baby step toward a 2005 relaunch... http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=291627&cc=5901 But the league's own website has not been updated yet with this... Paul
Re: The first baby step toward a 2005 relaunch... Ask and ye shall receive: http://www.wusa.com/keepthedreamalive/ Paul
This is what we know so far: *Up to three festivals in June; * https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=98656 which indicates a 2:30PM announcement of where these things will be; *The following cities beside Cary, NC (which will be the site of one of them) that are in line to host the remaining two: Atlanta, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Jose, Washington, D.C. Rochester, NY, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Carson, CA (HDC) Chicago, Denver, Columbus, Ft. Lauderdale, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Hampton Roads, VA *An unconfirmed message on the ponytail posse boards says that Columbus and San Diego will nab the remaining two weekend gigs. Do we have a realistic shot at hosting one? Or was my attendance at the Villanova-UConn game last night at the Ski Lodge my last trip, perhaps ever, out to the best place to see a soccer game? Paul
I don't think they'll come here, sorry. Torero is Foudy's territory, Cary is practically owned by the league, and the rent at Columbus is probably pretty cheap compared to what Villanova will ask for if they only make the NIT.
*snicker* Cary, as I said, will get one of them, since SoccerAmerica broke that story a while ago. But if SD gets one of the other two, then it's that kind of kowtowing to the "founders" that got us up sh!t's creek in the first place, perhaps. And I'm sorry, but I am honor-bound to hold off on pledging one dime to the revival effort until I know when a schedule is in place, and even if the Charge are still at Villanova Stadium. What happens if this PBS-esque fundraising drive goes awry? Paul
Please Atlanta......Please Atlanta....Please Atlanta. Of course if they already have confirmed that one of them is in the Southeast in Cary, then from a marketing standpoint, they will probably want to place at least one in the Northeast with the third going to either Philly or DC. Atlanta is probably screwed as far as a festival but Cox is based here so we would probably get a team again if the league starts up (pray...pray....). Oh well, I hope whoever gets them does a great job and has a strong turnout to springboard the league into 2005!
Paul, I'm not giving any money for the same reason; you know that. I've done a little work in public radio on my life and believe me this is no way to go running any kind of non-public radio organization. I bet RFK wants too much money, too. And that would really suck because they'd probably get more there than in Columbus, even if Columbus looks better on TV (and gives MLS a bit of couch change).
Locations I would hate it if they decide not to have one in the NE(Commuting distance 4-5 hours of Philly) After all the Philly Fans were the ones responcible for the SAVE THE WUSA signs at the WWC (How Quickly people forget) Plus the Attendance figures from last year only were tops in the league(Not including MLS DBL headers) Anyway, I am not giving to the ticket fund if they are not in the NE, I can wait for the season ticket drive(If it happens) I am not as hopefull as I was during the WWC.
Confirmed: http://wusa.com/press_room/412298.html the Twin Cities: 6/17-20 Home Depot Center 6/24-27 Maybe Cary's not as in like flint as we were led to believe... "A third WUSA Soccer Festival may be announced in the near future as WUSA officials continue to review proposals from two additional communities, including one former WUSA market. The potential third WUSA Soccer Festival would take place June 10-13." Paul
USA plays Grenad/Guyana winner in the USA on June 13 to kick off WCQ... ..so I suspect any festival the weekend of June 13 should avoid wherever the WCQ match will be held... personally, I can't get too excite about spring training festival... 2005 is what counts and making it a reality... the festivals are just PR and really don't serve to foment substantial interest in a league formation... seem to me to be just a gloried Olympic training camp?? wake me up february 2005
Funny - I had the exact same thought when I saw the schedule. You don't suppose they'd hold these without the Olympians?
Here's an exerpt from a Soccer America article 'Further details on the events, including sponsors, ticket information and participating players, will be announced later. DiCicco said the Players Association had received word from about 100 players that they were interested in taking part in the ''festivals,'' and the U.S. women's national team players are expected to play.' I expect U.S. Soccer/Heinrichs realize that the festivals won't be nearly as successful without the national team players, since those are the household names. Since the WUSA was a big factor in the development of some of the recent WWC standouts (Wambach and Boxx, notably), U.S. Soccer has a vested interest in the revival of the league. Where else could they get such high-level player development at such a bargain price? I'm not aware of U.S. Soccer sinking any money into the league--someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
I agree USSF needs WUSA rebirth to continue the cycle of introducing NEW talent, NOT based solely on the college game. With the expansion of the womens game worldwide, the worldwide caliber of play has been improving to the point, where the college game is NO longer a sufficiently strong BREEDING ground. I suspect WUSA comes back, and I will too when it does. I'm NOT too sure where the Olympic matches are being played at in Athens. Athens has a ton of air pollution, much like Mexico City, and in August 90 degree plus temps. No Norway there,which hurts the competitive edge slightly. All along my mantra for success of the league is establshing NEW players as heros to replace the founders as they retire. It's all about marketing the NEW wave. And I think that's nbeen a major weakness of WUSA....not focusing TOWARDS the future....
It's nice the Concacaf females get to play in central america, just to see what it's really like to be exposed to a totally different playing environment. usa fell behind 2 goals to mexico before coming back to win. and canada losing reinforces the HOME field edge in soccer. Hopefully, the WWCQ soon becomes GROUP play home and away in CONCACAF. UEFA does it...hopefully COCACAF does to. It'll add more drama to follow group play HOME and AWAY. of course, finances is the primary reason it isn't done now.