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
| Year | Player | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Tiffeny Milbrett | Forward | New York Power |
| 2002 | Marinette Pichon | Forward | Philadelphia Charge |
| 2003 | Maren Meinert | Forward | Boston Breakers |
WUSA Offensive Player of the Year
| Year | Player | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Tiffeny Milbrett | Forward | New York Power |
| 2002 | Marinette Pichon | Forward | Philadelphia Charge |
| 2003 | No Award? |
WUSA Defensive Player of the Year
| Year | Player | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Doris Fitschen | Defender | Philadelphia Charge |
| 2002 | Danielle Slaton | Defender | Carolina Courage |
| 2003 | Joy Fawcett | Defender | San Diego Spirit |
WUSA Goalkeeper of the Year
| Year | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | LaKeysia Beene | Bay Area CyberRays |
| 2002 | Kristin Luckenbill | Carolina Courage |
| 2003 | Briana Scurry | Atlanta Beat |
WUSA Rookie of the Year
| Year | Player | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | No Award | ||
| 2002 | Abby Wambach | Forward | Washington Freedom |
| 2003 | Christine Latham | Forward | San Diego Spirit |
WUSA Coach of the Year
| Year | Coach | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Ian Sawyers | Bay Area CyberRays |
| 2002 | Mark Krikorian | Philadelphia Charge |
| 2003 | Pia Sundhage | Boston Breakers |
WUSA Executive of the Year
| Year | Coach | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | No Award | |
| 2002 | Joe Cummings | Boston Breakers |
| 2003 | Joe Cummings | Boston Breakers |
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
| 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 |
Women’s United Soccer Association Shop
##
