So I am perusing the latest Women's Soccer Power Rankings at the excellent blog SportsMyriad (hello, Beau Dure), and I noticed a team called Salt Lake United in the also considered section. I googled the team, and see the team recently affiliated with RSL, and played a home game at Rio Tinto. Where have I been on this? Did we cover it in the news thread and I missed it? Lots of possibilities to explore here. Anyone know more?
What? Some kind of professional/semi-professional/amateur women's soccer team in Utah? Where did that come from? I'm confused. So many questions, so little time. I'll have to email my contact with the Lady Utes soccer team and see if she knows anything. The website shows them playing against a Utah team (I'm assuming the Utes) wearing RSL uniforms. They play in the WPSL (Women's Premier Soccer League) but what level is the league?
From what my super-sekret contact sez, it sounds like a women's team for players who have graduated from college and who want to keep themselves in playing shape, but more serious than a weekend adult league. It doesn't sound like players are the caliber ("I like women of that.....caliber") of college all-stars though since a good NCAA women's side (Utah) could probably handle them. Now you know. Welcome to the RSL family, Salt Lake United.
I'd really be interested in knowing if the two organizations have plans for something more. Or even discussions. Several MLS teams have women's affiliates (I think Colorado even has two!), and a team like the Sounders has several USWNT stars on the squad (Rapinoe, Leroux, and Morgan).
Looking over the few pictures they've posted, I recognize a few of the players. I've had the privilege to officiate games in the women's division of the adult league. Quite a few are talented, but the comparison of them being essentially the ogden outlaws is very accurate.
look what team is playing in the final four of the wpsl this saturday the salt lake united page on the wpsl site
Thanks for the link - if we who are clued into soccer-related things in the Salt Lake area have no idea this is happening, the PR arm needs to kick way up. And if RSL as a sponsor of the team is helping foot this bill, it should get the info about these games on the team web page pronto.
I stumbled upon those links because the indoor place I play at - Salt Lake Indoor Soccer - posted some info on their fb page If memory serves me right, one of the girls on the team also works at Salt Lake Indoor Soccer.
OKAY!!! Here is some info on this SL United Women's Semi-Pro Team from Utah. Yes they are sponsored by REAL Salt Lake, they played their home game opener at Rio Tinto before the Real game against FC Dallas. The team is made up of women who have played in college and some even on the professional level. They team actually are undefeated this year and just went to San Diego, Ca last weekend and played the California Storm as well as San Diego SeaLions with those wins they advanced to the semifinals in Pensacola, Florida where they currently are at as we speak. They are facing The Texans from Florida on Saturday July 28, 2012 at 5:30pm MST and if they win they play the championship game on Sunday July 29, 2012 at 12:00 p, MST. Both games are being live streamed via internet for only $5.00 per game. See bottom for the link to watch the games!
Sorry wasnt done with my post LOL! Due this years success there is another league called the WPSL Elite which is divised of only 9 teams vs. WPSL with over 70 teams, SL United is in the hunt to become a new team under ELITE depending on how this season plays out. There was mention of a player that works at Salt Lake Indoor, that would be Kira Sharp #6 on SL United, if you look her up you will find that she is one of the players that played college and won a national championship for the team in 2006 at Metro State College in Denver, Colorado, as well as MVP. This team is made up of so many talented individuals its hard to stop their attack and they have MULTIPLE players that can score which makes it hard to defend! IF you are reading this and you have time to watch this weekend you will get a feel of how talented they are and what you missed out on this year!!!!! HEre is the link for the games: http://sinclairsportsnetwork.com/2012 WPSL Championships.htm
Does anyone know what the difference is between the WPSL and the USL W-League? I noticed that several MLS teams have a women's team in the W-League, including newcomer Vancouver. Is there an advantage to one over the other?
Looks like the team lost in the semifinals to the eventual champions, but they do appear in the final women's soccer rankings of the year from Sports Myriad. Congratulations!