Flash to join new league
By: John Kucko
Updated: November 21, 2012
USSF and President Sunil Gulati announced the formation
of a new women's professional soccer league here in the United
States.
Eight teams, USSF control of the front office, and
limited budgets headline the announcement of the launching of the
league.
The league will have franchises in eight American cities, with U.S. Soccer serving as the front office for the league. Those franchises included some former members of the WPS such as Western New York, New Jersey, Boston, Chicago and Washington D.C. as well as new markets based in Seattle, Portland, and Kansas City.
The league will have franchises in eight American cities, with U.S. Soccer serving as the front office for the league. Those franchises included some former members of the WPS such as Western New York, New Jersey, Boston, Chicago and Washington D.C. as well as new markets based in Seattle, Portland, and Kansas City.
U.S. Soccer will allocate and fund the participation for
up to 24 National Team players, and the Canadian Soccer Association will
allocate and fund up to 16 of their players. Mexico will also look to be a part
of the league; allocating a minimum of 12 players to the league. The new league
will be run on a smaller scale with the idea being
sustainability.
"We are trying to find an economical model that is
sustainable," Gulati said. Additional funding from the Canadian Soccer
Association and FMF, Mexico's soccer federation, should hopefully make that
possible.
League will begin play in March or April of 2013 with teams playing 22 regular-season games. Play will conclude in September or October. More information to follow in the coming week.
League will begin play in March or April of 2013 with teams playing 22 regular-season games. Play will conclude in September or October. More information to follow in the coming week.
