From an e-mail: WPSL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT JULY 31ST - AUGUST 1ST, 2004 The 2nd WPSL National Championship Tournament is fast approaching. The top teams in the league will face off at Folsom High School, outside of Sacramento, California, July 31st - August 1st. The field is FieldTurf and the Stadium seats 5,000. Last year, at San Francisco’s Kezar Stadium, Sara Reading scored in the final-minute of the game to make her Utah Spiders the first WPSL national champions ousting the then-defending WPSL champion California Storm. This year’s extravaganza will have all the fixings of a professional tournament as many former WUSA players will showcase their talent for all to see. Players like Sissi, Brandi Chastain, Erica Iverson, Ronnie Fair, Mary Frances Monroe and Kylie Bivens are on WPSL team rosters and will most likely be playing at the tournament. Last year’s champions, the Utah Spiders, are well on their way to repeat as they sit atop the North Division with a 9-1 record. Behind the Spiders stands Sissi and the California Storm (9-2-1), which are looking to play in front of their home-team fans either by winning their division or securing the wildcard. The team to beat in the East at the moment is the undefeated New England Mutiny with the likes of Mary Frances Monroe (Boston Breakers); Alexa Borisjuk (Philadelphia Charge); and Meghan Schnur, who was invited to play for the U-19 Women’s National Team. But if the Steel City Sparks continue winning its games, the division winner may go down to the last game of the season when the two teams play in Massachusetts. Yet the most exciting race to the playoffs comes by way of the South Division that has turned into a three-team race for the top spot. The Denver Diamonds, with 2002 WPSL MVP Kristin Warren (Atlanta Beat), hold the lead. But the team has a 1-2 record on the road and is in the midst of a six-game road trip. Ajax of Southern California look for the Diamonds to drop a few more before the Diamonds finish its road trip versus Ajax, July 18. Also in the hunt is the Las Vegas Tabagators. The Tabagators play five of its next seven games against division foes. If the Tabagators, 3-1-1 in its last five games, can remain in quality form, the team has a chance of winning the group. We invite youth teams to come to see the finals, or any league match during the season. We will have a special for those youth players wearing their team jerseys as well as autograph sessions with the players. Reserve your tickets today. Contact us at tix@wpsl.info For media: Send an email to media@wpsl.info with the name of your publication, if you plan on attending, and an address so we can send you our Championship Tournament Media Guide and kit. For more information about the Championship Tournament, Folsom Field and the WPSL download the following document: http://www.wpsl.info/docs/playoffs.pdf and visit our website at www.wpsl.info Hope to see you there!
Anyone know how many teams will be in this tournament? I'm guessing that it will be the three division winners and the 2nd place team with the best record. I agree that it will be great race in the South Division during theses next two weekends, but I like the chances of the San Diego WFC much better than the last place Tabagators. The SD WFC is undefeated at home this season and play their final four home matches at Hoover High. If San Diego can defeat the Diamonds this afternoon and Houston tomorrow, the final weekend of the regular season could be very exciting for the SD WFC.
Yea So I see that Sissi is leading the Storm straight to the playoffs. But not only that Kylie Bivens is with the Diamonds, who are in the lead in the South Division. It looks like the Mutiny is well in the playoffs, but maybe not. The Steel City Sparks look in the mix... I know I will be at the Finals. This is funny, I mentioned something about the finals under the main women's heading. Check it out!!!!!!!!
What's Schott doin? Driving the team bus?Evidently you hav'nt seen the games or you've slept through the season.Just look at the stats. Schott is leading in goals(14),points(29), and MVP awards(6). Someone must think she is possibly leading this team.Sissi is a great player but, Schott has undoubtably lead this team. She had the equalizing goal in the Semi, to send it to o.t. and the winning goal in the final to add to her leadership stats.How about givin her some long overdue credit.Sissi has had her day in the spotlight.It is Schott who is the shinning star this year. I was also at the semi and the final and many other games.Anyway, obviously I like her style and I know she could've contributed alot to most the WUSA teams.The Freedom had her in a dev. role because of the team depth. But most assuredly could have started for most teams.Directing from the mid is an important role,don't take me wrong here. Schott has also had a great deal of creativity and has blistered the defenders to set up from the wing. Well I've said my piece, so give the no names some credit when it is due.Don't get hung-up on famous names. Paalese!