Tombstone
Formed: 2000
Disbanded: September 15, 20031Parker, Wendy. “Citing money woes, WUSA votes to fold”. The Journal-Constitution (Atlanta, GA). September 16, 2003
First Game: April 14, 2001
Last Game: August 24, 2003
Seasons: 3
States: 7 including the District of Columbia
(CA, DC, GA, MA, NC, NY, PA)
Leadership
President & CEO:
- January 2001 – August 2001: Barbara Allen
- August 2001 – September 2003: Lynn Morgan
Commissioner:
- August 2001 – September 2003: Tony DiCicco
Attendance
Sources:
- 2002 Boston Breakers Media Guide (2001 figures)
- Bickelhaupt, Susan. “WUSA opts to suspend operations”. The Globe (Boston, MA). September 16, 2003 (2002-2003 figures)
Trophy Case
WUSA Most Valuable Player
[etable]
Year, Player, Position, Team
2001, Tiffeny Milbrett, Forward, New York Power
2002, Marinette Pichon, Forward, Philadelphia Charge
2003, Maren Meinert, Forward, Boston Breakers
[/etable]
WUSA Offensive Player of the Year
[etable]
Year, Player, Position, Team
2001, Tiffeny Milbrett, Forward, New York Power
2002, Marinette Pichon, Forward, Philadelphia Charge
2003, No Award?, ,
[/etable]
WUSA Defensive Player of the Year
[etable]
Year, Player, Position, Team
2001, Doris Fitschen, Defender, Philadelphia Charge
2002, Danielle Slaton, Defender, Carolina Courage
2003, Joy Fawcett, Defender, San Diego Spirit
[/etable]
WUSA Goalkeeper of the Year
[etable]
Year, Player, Team
2001, LaKeysia Beene, Bay Area CyberRays
2002, Kristin Luckenbill, Carolina Courage
2003, Briana Scurry, Atlanta Beat
[/etable]
WUSA Rookie of the Year
[etable]
Year, Player, Position, Team
2001, No Award, ,
2002, Abby Wambach, Forward, Washington Freedom
2003, Christine Latham, Forward, San Diego Spirit
[/etable]
WUSA Coach of the Year
[etable]
Year, Coach, Team
2001, Ian Sawyers, Bay Area CyberRays
2002, Mark Krikorian, Philadelphia Charge
2003, Pia Sundhage, Boston Breakers
[/etable]
WUSA Executive of the Year
[etable]
Year, Coach, Team
2001, No Award,
2002, Joe Cummings, Boston Breakers
2003, Joe Cummings, Boston Breakers
[/etable]
Background
The WUSA launched in April 2001, spurred by the success of the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament hosted by the United States. Structured as a single entity business and backed by cable TV investors, WUSA enjoyed franchise stability (none of its eight individual clubs folded or relocated) and succeeded in attracting many of the top players from around the world.
The league underperformed expectations dramatically in corporate sponsorship and television ratings, resulting in an estimated $100 million in losses over three seasons. The league folded under financial duress on September 15th, 2003.
Women’s United Soccer Association Franchise List
[etable]
Franchise, Years Active, Founders Cup Champions
Atlanta Beat, 2001-2003, None
Bay Area CyberRays, 2001, 2001
Boston Breakers, 2001-2003, None
Carolina Courage, 2001-2003, 2002
New York Power, 2001-2003, None
Philadelphia Charge, 2001-2003, None
San Diego Spirit, 2001-2003, None
San Jose CyberRays, 2002-2003, 2001 (as “Bay Area”)
Washington Freedom, 2001-2003, 2003
[/etable]
Women’s United Soccer Association Shop
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