US women´s league loses two clubs but set for 2011

Women’s Professional Soccer will return for a third season in 2011 with at least six teams, fighting off financial woes that had jeopardized the US league, officials announced Tuesday.

One day after a deadline to produce secure funding for a 2011 campaign, the league announced that returning teams in Washington, Boston, Atlanta, New Jersey and Philadelphia will be joined by a new club in the Buffalo area.

Reigning WPS champion FC Gold Pride, based in northern California, will not return while the Chicago Red Stars were given until December 15 to secure funding for possible inclusion as a seventh team for next season.

The league began last year with eight teams but lost St. Louis in mid-season.

Brazilian star Marta, who played for Gold Pride, saw her second club in as many seasons fold. She had played for the Los Angeles Sol in the league’s inaugural season but that club folded before the second season began.

Marta and her Gold Pride teammates will become free agents.

“While it is disappointing to the league and its many enthusiastic fans, players, and partners that FC Gold Pride did not find the level of support it aimed for in its market, the continuing WPS teams have fully committed to the 2011 WPS season,” WPS chief executive Anne-Marie Eileraas said.

“These past few weeks have been critical to ensuring the long-term health of the league and we are pleased to be moving forward.”

Trying to restart a women’s pro league in the wake of the Women’s United Soccer Association folding after three seasons in 2003, the WPS brought top US talent and international stars together but launched as the economy sank into recession, making sponsor support and ticket sales difficult.

But Eileraas was confident the league has found a level of stability and a solid foundation for future growth.

“In the early years of any league, teams come and go,” Eileraas said. “We will continue to have the best soccer talent in the world.”