Women's Professional Soccer

Women's Professional Soccer
Name	Women's Professional Soccer
Country	United States
Confederation	United States Soccer Federation
Founded	2007
Folded	2012
Teams	9 (varied)
Champions	Western New York Flash
Most championships	FC Gold Pride

Women's Professional Soccer was a professional women's association football league in the United States that operated from 2009 to 2012. It succeeded earlier efforts such as WUSA and preceded later organizations like National Women's Soccer League, providing a competitive platform for domestic and international talent including many members of the United States women's national soccer team. The league's lifecycle intersected with institutions such as the FIFA Women's World Cup, the Olympic Games and continental competitions organized by CONCACAF.

History

The league was announced after meetings involving stakeholders from Major League Soccer, the United States Soccer Federation, and private investors who drew lessons from the collapse of Women's United Soccer Association. Initial franchises were awarded in markets including Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Washington, D.C., St. Louis, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. The inaugural season in 2009 featured marquee signings like Abby Wambach, Hope Solo, Carli Lloyd, Christine Sinclair, and Martina Müller (via international roster movement), while clubs such as Sky Blue FC and Saint Louis Athletica shaped early competitive narratives. Financial instability, ownership changes, and legal disputes similar to those that impacted WUSA and Atlanta Beat (WPS) contributed to the league suspending operations in 2012; assets and personnel later informed the establishment of the National Women's Soccer League in 2013.

League Structure and Governance

The league operated under a single-division format with a central office responsible for scheduling, competition rules, and player registration, working with the United States Soccer Federation for sanctioning. Governance included a commissioner, board of governors made up of team owners such as Dan Borislow, AEG, and investor groups connected to AOL Ventures and regional ownership such as Peggy Fisher. Salary structures referenced collective bargaining concepts familiar from Major League Soccer and negotiation precedents set in Women's United Soccer Association. Player allocation mechanisms used international transfer agreements managed through FIFA's Transfer Matching System and national team allocations coordinated with the USWNT management staff.

Teams and Franchises

Franchises evolved rapidly: notable clubs included FC Gold Pride, Western New York Flash, Philadelphia Independence, Los Angeles Sol, Sky Blue FC, Saint Louis Athletica, Boston Breakers (WPS), Chicago Red Stars, and Atlanta Beat (WPS). Several teams shared ownership or stadium arrangements with Major League Soccer or United Soccer Leagues affiliates; venues ranged from Red Bull Arena to collegiate stadiums like Sahlen's Stadium and municipal facilities in Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay. Expansion plans and contraction mirrored patterns seen in Women's United Soccer Association history, while relocation discussions involved markets such as Cleveland, San Diego, and Portland, Oregon where soccer infrastructures were present through entities like Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders FC.

Players and Personnel

The player pool combined elite internationals and domestic stars: besides Abby Wambach, Hope Solo, and Carli Lloyd, other prominent figures included Tobin Heath, Lauren Holiday, Homare Sawa, Marta, Kelly Smith, Alex Morgan (early career overlap), and Heather O'Reilly. Coaching staff featured names like Paul Riley, Vlatko Andonovski, Pia Sundhage, and executives with backgrounds at USSF and FIFA. Player movement involved transfers from European clubs such as Arsenal W.F.C., Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, and 1. FFC Frankfurt, while medical, scouting, and analytics teams drew from personnel experienced with MLS and USL Championship organizations.

Competitions and Trophies

The league contested a regular season followed by playoff matches culminating in a championship trophy won by clubs like FC Gold Pride and Western New York Flash. Annual awards included Most Valuable Player, Golden Boot, and Rookie of the Year, mirroring award structures from tournaments such as the FIFA Women's World Cup and confederation events hosted by CONCACAF. Clubs also participated in friendlies against international opponents including Chelsea F.C. Women, Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, and national teams preparing for Olympic football qualifiers and the SheBelieves Cup precursor events.

Media Coverage and Attendance

Broadcast partners ranged from cable networks to regional sports networks, with matches televised by outlets similar to those that covered Major League Soccer and featured on platforms associated with ESPN and Fox Sports in various arrangements. Attendance varied widely: successful markets like Western New York and San Francisco Bay Area (via FC Gold Pride) drew robust crowds, while other franchises struggled to fill stadiums integrated with venues like Citizens Bank Park and RFK Stadium. Media attention spiked around national team stars and major international tournaments such as the FIFA Women's World Cup and the Olympic Games, affecting sponsorship deals with corporations akin to Coca-Cola, Nike, Inc., and Adidas.

Impact and Legacy

Although the league ceased operations, its legacy influenced the formation and governance of the National Women's Soccer League, informed ownership vetting used by entities like Aces Investment Group and led to improved coordination with United States Soccer Federation policies on player allocation. Alumni from the league advanced into coaching and front-office roles at clubs including Seattle Reign FC, Portland Thorns FC, and NJ/NY Gotham FC, while many players continued international careers with clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain Féminine and Chelsea F.C. Women. The league's existence contributed to the professionalization trajectory seen across women's football in the United States and the global growth of women's association football.

Category:Defunct women's soccer leagues in the United States