With a previous desire to expand the Tide organization into the W-League and the knowledge of how important the Sounders W-League team is to the development of girls’ soccer in the entire state of Washington, Jennings stepped up to acquire the team with the assistance of Adrian Hanauer, the former owner of the USL-1 Sounders and current minority owner and General Manager of the MLS Sounders, and Teddy Mitalas, Sounders W-League Coach & Starfire Sports Complex Director of Operations – a pair of individuals who have been at the forefront of the Sounders success in the W-League.
“After the Tide’s inaugural season in 2006 I have thought seriously about adding a W-League team under the Tacoma Football Club banner,” said Jennings. “Just as with the men, there are many capable and talented women who are in need of quality training and competition through the summer months. I look forward to maintaining the winning tradition the women have established.”
The W-League team will continue to play their matches at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, WA. The team is considering a name change to link it to its brother-team, the Tacoma Tide. Mitalas will continue to act as GM and Head Coach for the ladies.
In their eight seasons in the W-League, the Sounders Women have advanced to the postseason six times, reaching the league semifinals on four occasions (2003, 2006, 2007, 2008).
“We are thrilled that Mike Jennings and the Tide have become a part of this team,” said W-League Director of Operations Melanie Fitzgerald. “Teddy Mitalas’ efforts have been tremendous over the past few years, but the passion and resources that the Tide, who have been an exemplary PDL team, brings to the table will no doubt propel this team much further as the women’s game continues to grow.”
The team is made up of top level college players and graduates from around the nation, including former US Women’s National Team and WUSA player Michelle French, a team leader that has turned heads on and off the field. The W-League will consist of 37 teams in 2009, playing in five divisions that comprise the three conferences. The team will play a 12 game season at Starfire plus additional exhibition matches. The W-League championship game will be August 7-8, and will air on Fox Soccer Channel.
NOTES:
New challenge for Michelle French
Web Gem: W-League veteran battles rare cancer
A month after participating in the W-League Combine in hopes of returning to professional women’s soccer, W-League veteran Michelle French had to take a break after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer’s Dan Raley recounts the past two months for the four-time W-League All-Conference honoree, two-time All-League selection and 2004 assist leader. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/soccer/390118_french01.html
2009 W-League Alignment
Central Conference
Midwest Division: Chicago, Cleveland, Fort Wayne, FC Indiana, Kalamazoo, Minnesota, West Michigan
Great Lakes Division: Buffalo, Hamilton, Laval, London, Ottawa, Quebec City, Toronto, Western New York
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division: Atlanta, Cary, Charlotte, Hampton, Northern Virginia, Richmond, Tampa
Northeast Division: Boston, Connecticut, Hudson Val., Long Island, New Jersey, New York, Washington, Western Mass
Western Conference
Colorado Force, Los Angeles Legends, Pali Blues, Real Colorado Cougars, Seattle (Name TBA), Vancouver Whitecaps, Ventura County Fusion
About the USL W-League
The top women’s players throughout the world compete in the USL W-League through the summer months. In addition to the league featuring international and former professional stars, elite collegiate players have the opportunity to also compete in the league while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. The league is recognized throughout the world for providing elite competition for women’s players, while providing affordable family entertainment to many fans in each of the team locations. http://wleague.uslsoccer.com
