"10 by October" seems to now be dead: Good news is that magicJack sounds like it'll be back; so the only hold-out now seems to be BOS. Article courtesy of GaDawg
I don't believe six groups means six expansion cities. The Washington Post article referenced two or three separate groups seeking a franchise back in the Washington, D.C. area.
If the Red Stars return, plus two west coast teams in Orange County & Seattle would be very good for the league. Then add New York, Washington D.C & possibly Vancouver for 2013.
My impression is that if WPS expands (returns) to the west coast, it will be with at least three teams (preferably four) all at the same time and is extremely unlikely to happen before 2013.
Per reliable source: The Hartford group is an expansion group...not relocation. And Tony DiCicco has nothing to do with that group... Should a Hartford team join [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDKSpEfPOTo"]Hartford Whalers? [/ame] and the Breakers return it would make for an awesome rivalry....and great road trips!
Don't think it will happen though, at least not next year. Having a cluster of teams in one region of the country looks really bad for the league. I'd think that WPS would have to expand beyond the East Coast before a bid for Connecticut would be seriously considered. I'm trying to imagine what a CT WPS roster might look like though...Tiffany Weimer, Alyssa Naeher, Kia McNeill, Katie Schoepfer...and Kristine Lilly coming out of retirement
Well... I think that, until we get to the point where we don't have to wonder whether WPS will be back the next season, I'm sure they'll be happy to get whatever teams they can get, whatever the distribution. There's been so much talk of four to six west coast teams all potentially joining at once, once the group is ready, I think WPS wouldn't be too worried about having a six to eight team cluster in the NE.
I think Hartford will happen in 2012... And Anson if you drop the Breakers and Riptide to start up with the Nutmegers...it's war! BTW, If Alyssa leaves the Breakers I want our trophy back!!
Not sure if I have the time or money for two sets of season tickets... As much as I love the Breakers, I would have no choice but to support a team in CT if there is one, with Breakers as my second team. Unless they choose some lame name like "Connecticut Power" or "Crush"...then i might stick with the Breakers Soccer Plus CT Reds as a WPS team would be a dream come true...but if Tony is not involved that wouldn't work. Still don't think it will happen.
Terry Foley on Twitter: "accepted the position of Technical Director for the new Connecticut franchise, assuming they join WPS in 2012." "Hoping there is an announcement by the end of this week."
Andy Crossley, former Breakers GM: "Veterans Memorial has a nice natural playing surface and good parking. Otherwise, it is not suitable for a WPS team, by which I mean it is not suitable for anyone to make money there. When we took the game there on 8/21/10 there was no opportunity to get any share of parking or concessions money – that goes to the city. There are few opportunities for premium seats or striated seat pricing, no videoboard for simulcast and replay, a track surrounding the field, limited concessions offerings, limited power. Some of these things could be alleviated, perhaps, by good negotiating for a season-long lease, but at the end of the day it’s a W-League stadium. Hopefully they have somewhere else in mind. There is little point in a CT team – which detracts from the Breakers attendance base – unless it is first class and successful." Completely agree with the last sentence.
Article courtesy of Katreus The comments about next season, and his own ambitions for the Fury, I expected.
It would be nice if the Connecticut group made an announcement BEFORE the Breakers early bird discount period for season tickets has passed.
http://www.ourgamemagazine.com/?p=1941 Here is an interview with Terry Foley about the status of the Hartford team.
based on the fact that magicJack is out, either Connecticut or New York [Fury] must be in. The league needs to remain at 6 teams for backing from US Soccer.
Well, eight is the official minimum, so WPS has been running on a waiver for its entire existence. I'm not sure I see a whole lot of difference between five and six except that it would be nice to have a season that was more than four home-and-homes amongst five teams.