Tombstone
Formed: 2007
Disbanded: May 18, 20121Tannenwald, Jonathan. “Say goodbye to the Independence”. The Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA). May 19, 2012
First Game: March 29, 2009
Last Game: August 27, 2011
Seasons: 3,
States: 10
(California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania)
Leadership
Commissioner:
- September 2007 – September 2010: Tonya Antonucci
Chief Executive Officer:
- October 2010 – September 2011: Anne Marie Eileraas
- September 2011 – May 2012: Jennifer Pogorelec O’Sullivan
Attendance
Tilting your mobile device may offer better viewing.
Chart Source:
- “WPS Attendance down from ’10 despite Boost Following FIFA Women’s World Cup.” Sports Business Journal. Accessed March 2, 2022. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2011/08/16/Research-and-Ratings/WPS-gate.aspx.
WPS Single Game Attendance Record*
| CROWD | DATE | HOST | VISITOR | STADIUM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15,404* | July 20, 2011 | Western New York Flash | magicJack | Sahlen's Stadium |
*On May 23, 2009 the Washington Freedom reported attendance of 16,089 for a home contest against Sky Blue FC at RFK Stadium. However, this game was a single-admission double-header with D.C. United of Major League Soccer, who served as the primary attraction. For that reason, we are highlighting the 7/20/2011 Western New York match as WPS' largest stand-alone crowd.
Trophy Case
Michelle Akers Player of the Year Award
| YEAR | PLAYER | POSITION | TEAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Marta | Forward | Los Angeles Sol |
| 2010 | Marta | Forward | FC Gold Pride |
| 2011 | Veronica Boquetete | Forward | Philadelphia Independence |
WPS Defensive Player of the Year Award
| YEAR | PLAYER | POSITION | TEAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Amy LePeilbet | Defender | Boston Breakers |
| 2010 | Amy LePeilbet | Defender | Boston Breakers |
| 2011 | Whitney Engen | Defender | Western New York Flash |
WPS Goalkeeper of the Year Award
| YEAR | PLAYER | TEAM |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Hope Solo | St. Louis Athletica |
| 2010 | Nicole Barnhart | FC Gold Pride |
| 2011 | Ashlyn Harris | Western New York Flash |
WPS Rookie of the Year Award
| YEAR | PLAYER | POSITION | TEAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | No Award | ||
| 2010 | Ali Riley | Defender | FC Gold Pride |
| 2011 | Christen Press | Forward | magicJack |
WPS Coach of the Year Award
| YEAR | COACH | TEAM |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Abner Rogers | Los Angeles Sol |
| 2010 | Paul Riley | Philadelphia Independence |
| 2011 | Paul Riley | Philadelphia Independence |
WPS Sportswoman of the Year Award
| YEAR | PLAYER | POSITION | TEAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Christie Rampone | Defender | Sky Blue FC |
| 2010 | Natalie Spilger | Defender | Chicago Red Stars |
| 2011 | Nikki Krzysik | Defender | Philadelphia Independence |
Background
Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) was the second attempt to establish a world class professional league for women in the United States, following the previous failure of the Women’s United Soccer Association (2001-2003). WPS succeeded in its goal to attract a quorum of the world’s top female footballers, including virtually the entire U.S. Women’s National Team roster, the Brazilian superstar Marta, and other top players from England, Brazil, Scandinavia and the Far East. The exception was Germany, which discouraged its players from leaving their domestic league prior to the 2011 Women’s World Cup.
Off the field, WPS was subject to the same problems of apathy and instability that plague most start-up leagues and most women’s sports. Of the seven franchises that launched the league in 2009, only two were still standing when the league opened its third and final season 24 months later in April of 2011. WPS announced an indefinite suspension of operations on January 30, 2012 just two weeks after conducting a college draft in anticipation of a fourth season. The shutdown was made permanent a few months later, to the surprise of no one.
Two former WPS franchises – the Chicago Red Stars and Sky Blue FC of New Jersey – remain active in the National Women’s Soccer League in 2018.
Women’s Professional Soccer Franchise List
| FRANCHISE | YEARS ACTIVE | WPS Cup Champions |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Beat | 2010-2011 | Never |
| Boston Breakers | 2009-2011 | Never |
| Chicago Red Stars | 2009-2010 | Never |
| FC Gold Pride | 2009-2010 | 2010 |
| Los Angeles Sol | 2009 | Never |
| magicJack | 2011 | Never |
| Philadelphia Independence | 2010-2011 | Never |
| St. Louis Athletica | 2009-2010 | Never |
| Sky Blue FC | 2009-2011 | 2009 |
| Washington Freedom | 2009-2010 | Never |
| Western New York Flash | 2011 | 2011 |
Women’s Professional Soccer Shop
###
One Response