The U.S. Soccer Board of Directors sanctioned Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) as a Division I league in the United States for 2012. The WPS had requested a waiver from the standard eight team requirement, and will operate with only five teams. There are stipulations to the agreement.
WPS must add a team in 2013 and another two in 2014 to be in compliance and keep their sanction. That's something the league says they are committed to doing, and U.S. Soccer made a choice to help them get it done.
"We are pleased U.S. Soccer and it's board of directors acknowledge the significance of women's professional soccer," said Jennifer O'Sullivan, WPS CEO in a statement. "There is a tremendous amount of potential for growth both for our league and the women's game on a global scale that could have gone unrealized without a fourth season for WPS."
The Pacific Northwest just the place to do it
WPS needs to add three teams by 2014, and I know just the place they should be looking. If each current city in the Cascadia Cup rivalry in the MLS added a women's team, that would make three. The Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, and Vancouver Whitecaps make up the best rivalry in the MLS.
There's no reason to think a great deal of the intensity found now in the Cascadia Cup wouldn't transfer over to the women's game. If the WPS is truly to expand and succeed, there's no better place in the country to do it. Pacific Northwest fans are the most soccer savvy in the country, and Vancouver definitely fits in with that as well.
The U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT) will be playing in the Olympic qualification tournament in Vancouver in January, and so will the team from Canada. What better way to seed interest in a professional women's team?
The distance problem solved
If just one team came into the league in the Pacific Northwest, there would be a problem with travel, that would also translate into a problem generating local interest. All five teams that will be playing in the WPS in 2012 are back East.
The Atlanta Beat, Boston Breakers, Philadelphia Independence, Sky Blue FC, and Western New York Flash will be the WPS next year. A solo team in the Pacific Northwest might be a logistical nightmare. Make it three, and suddenly it's a doable proposition.
Just the prescription the league needs
A women's version of the Cascadia Cup rivalry at the professional level could be the best thing that could happen for the WPS. If they cross-marketed with the MLS sides, both could benefit. As a fan, I know I'd love to see the greats in the women's game play here on a regular basis. I hope management of the current teams, or newly interested persons considering ownership, are aware of the huge untapped potential represented.
Jeff Musall is a lifelong fan of soccer in all it's incarnations. He would welcome a Cascadia Cup rivalry in the women's game.
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