WUSA will get back in the game in 2009
The reincarnation of the Women's United Soccer Association has been delayed until 2009, league officials announced yesterday. The league, which operated from 2001-04, hopes to capitalize on the expected success of the US national team in the Women's World Cup in China Sept. 10-30 and the Beijing Olympics next year.
"It is the best decision," said Boston Breakers general manager Joe Cummings. "Teams were ready for '08 but not everybody was ready for '08. We know this launch has to be near-perfect and we have to make sure everyone is ready to go.
"We have seven cities but there is a real chance we will have additional cities in '09. This gives us an 18-month run-up before the league begins. In terms of marketing, branding, sponsorship, ticket sales - all the things that make a sport successful - this all takes lead time.
"And we have the Olympics to factor into the schedule. In the latter part of the season, we would have been playing through with non-Olympians, not just from the US but other countries."
Other teams committed to the venture, which is operating as Women's Soccer LLC, include Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New Jersey, St. Louis, and Washington. The league commissioner will be former Stanford player and assistant coach Tonya Antonucci.
The Breakers were among the teams that were close to being ready. Cummings said they will name a coach this month and attempt to play a schedule in the Women's Premier Soccer League next year in preparation for the '09 kickoff of the WUSA.
"We will remain open," Cummings said of the Breaker offices. "We have some [employees] on board and we are looking to play in the WPSL a year in advance; it would be a great way to be ready for '09.
"We are going to announce a coach in the next three weeks. I want everyone to know who the coach is and get him going looking at players. I want to be here for a year getting ready for '09."
Cummings is still negotiating a stadium deal. Boston University's Nickerson Field, which was the team's previous home, and Harvard Stadium are in contention.
