Women's Professional Soccer

Women's Professional Soccer was the top-level professional women's soccer league in the United States from 2009 to 2012. It was formed following the dissolution of the Women's United Soccer Association and aimed to build a more sustainable economic model for the sport. The league featured many stars of the U.S. Women's National Team and international talents, but ultimately ceased operations after its fourth season.

History

The league was announced in September 2007 by a group of owners led by Tonya Antonucci, a former executive at Yahoo!, who was appointed as the first commissioner. Its formation was a direct response to the collapse of the Women's United Soccer Association, with a focus on controlled growth and fiscal responsibility. Key founding investor-operators included John Hendricks of the Discovery Channel and representatives from Los Angeles and the Washington Freedom. The inaugural match in 2009 was played between the Los Angeles Sol and the Washington Freedom at The Home Depot Center, featuring stars like Marta and Abby Wambach. Despite initial optimism, the league faced significant challenges, including the folding of the Los Angeles Sol after its first season and ongoing financial struggles. A major reorganization in 2011, which saw the departure of FC Gold Pride and the Chicago Red Stars, and the entry of the Western New York Flash, could not secure long-term stability. The league suspended operations in early 2012, with a planned relaunch in 2013 failing to materialize.

League structure and teams

The league operated as a single-entity structure, where the league owned all team contracts and player allocations, a model also used by Major League Soccer. Teams were privately owned and operated as investor-members. The inaugural 2009 season featured seven teams: Atlanta Beat, Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, FC Gold Pride, Los Angeles Sol, Saint Louis Athletica, and the Washington Freedom. Over its four seasons, the league saw considerable franchise turnover; Saint Louis Athletica folded mid-season in 2010, while the Philadelphia Independence and Western New York Flash joined as expansion teams. The final season in 2012 included five teams: Atlanta Beat, Boston Breakers, Philadelphia Independence, Sky Blue FC, and the Western New York Flash. The regular season format typically led to a four-team playoff, culminating in the WPS Championship.

Seasons and champions

Four complete seasons were played from 2009 through 2011, with a truncated fifth season in 2012. The inaugural 2009 season was won by Sky Blue FC, who defeated the Los Angeles Sol in the final. The 2010 championship was secured by FC Gold Pride, led by league MVP Marta, who beat the Philadelphia Independence. In 2011, the Western New York Flash, featuring stars like Marta and Christine Sinclair, won the title over the Philadelphia Independence. The planned 2012 season was abbreviated and ended with the Western New York Flash being awarded the final championship after the league's suspension. The WPS All-Star Game was held in 2009 and 2011, featuring matches against Umeå IK of the Damallsvenskan and the United States women's national soccer team, respectively.

Notable players

The league attracted a global roster of elite talent, serving as a premier destination after major tournaments like the FIFA Women's World Cup and the Olympic Games. Iconic figures from the United States women's national soccer team were central, including Abby Wambach, Hope Solo, Christie Rampone, and Megan Rapinoe. It also featured legendary international stars such as Brazilian forward Marta, a multi-time FIFA World Player of the Year, and Canadian striker Christine Sinclair. Other notable imports included England's Kelly Smith, Japan's Homare Sawa, and Australia's Lisa De Vanna. These players competed for individual honors like the WPS Most Valuable Player award and the WPS Golden Boot.

Impact and legacy

Despite its short lifespan, it played a crucial role in maintaining a professional platform for women's soccer in North America between the Women's United Soccer Association and the subsequent National Women's Soccer League. It provided vital competitive experience for national team players in non-World Cup and Olympic Games years. The league's struggles highlighted the persistent economic challenges in women's professional sports, influencing the more conservative, federation-backed model of the National Women's Soccer League. Its closure left a void temporarily filled by semi-professional leagues like the W-League and Women's Premier Soccer League. The legacy of its teams and players continued, as franchises like the Boston Breakers and Western New York Flash transitioned to other leagues, and its stars became foundational players in the National Women's Soccer League and global clubs.

Category:Defunct women's association football leagues in the United States Category:Women's Professional Soccer