Women set sights on another pro league
It is of Brandi Chastain ripping off her jersey as she celebrates her penalty-kick goal that gave the U.S. Women a 1-0 win over China in the World Cup final in 1999.
Looking to capitalize on the popularity of that time in women's soccer and that World Cup victory, the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) was born. But like a number of soccer ventures before it, continued interest just wasn't strong enough to keep things going. It lasted just three years before folding the tent.This time, armed with a new league - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) - a bunch of new players and a different strategy, commissioner Tonya Antonucci believes things will be different.
"Our model is not predicated on the Olympics," Antonucci insists. "If we do our jobs right, we will have established new stars."
One of those Olympians, local product Lori Chalupny of Crestwood, is excited about the possibilities.
"Hopefully I will get to play in front of my family and friends," said the 24-year-old Chalupny, who hopes to be drafted by the St. Louis franchise of the WPS. "It's an opportunity for the young kids to see some really great soccer."
As the 1999 World Cup win did, a strong showing by the U.S. Women's Soccer Team in the Beijing Olympic Games, which open in about two weeks, could give the new league a major boost. However, the team suffered a major blow last week when veteran and leading scorer Abby Wambach broke her left leg in a violent collision with a Chinese player during the last exhibition contest.
Antonucci, a former soccer player at Stanford, understands how much tougher the team's task is now. But no matter what happens with the Olympic team, she is convinced there are just too many plusses for the new league not to succeed.
"America loves a comeback story, and there are a lot of smarts behind this," she said. "I've talked to many people who did not come out and watch the games before. They have told me 'This time I'm going to a game.'"
Several differences are associated with the league's 'second chance.' Foremost among them is their ties with Major League Soccer (MLS). Eight cities - New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Dallas, Washington D.C. and St. Louis - will field WPS teams. St. Louis is in the running for an MLS expansion franchise, while Philadelphia will have one in 2010.
Another difference is a more conservative approach. Antonucci said the WUSA planned to spend $40 million and ended up $100 million. The WPS figures if it can draw an average of 4 to 6,000 people per game, it can keep up with its operation costs.
"What happens out of the stadiums is just as important as what happens in it," Antonucci said. "We know we are getting a second bite of the apple, so we're determined to make this work."
Antonucci, who had a long and successful run with Yahoo.com sports, said it is important to make sure there is a grass roots effort this time that is community-based. That will include appearances, camps and clinics, all involving the players.
"I think the definition of success cold be epitomized by how a city like St. Louis responds to this team," Antonucci said. "In a place like New York, you have so many choices. St. Louis is on the cusp of having an MLS team. It is a true blue soccer town."
Though history is not on their side in this venture, Antonucci insists that women's soccer is more popular now than ever.
"Our women's national team has stayed on top of the rankings, and 19 million are playing youth soccer today," she said. "I feel like it is getting closer. I don't think we're there yet."
