_Nova Liga Profissional Americana de Futebol em 2013

O Western New York Flash foi o vencedor da última edição da WPS

Uma nova liga profissional nos EUA irá começar em Março do próximo ano, disse o presidente da Federação Norte-Americana, Sunil Gulati, esta quarta-feira.

Desta vez a federação canadiana e mexicana, juntamente com a dos EUA irá financiar os custos das suas jogadoras que irão participar no campeonato.

"Estamos à procura de um modelo económico que seja sustentável" disse Gulati. "Se olharmos para as federações como o governo, estamos a financiar o sector privado para tentar tornar isto sustentável e diminuir os investimentos do sector privado".

A federação americana ira também financiar os custos administrativos da

liga.

As 8 equipas estão sedeadas em Boston, New Jersey, Western New York, Washington D.C, Chicago, Kansas City, Seattle e Portland.

_É o fim definitivo da WPS

The Women's Professional Soccer league has folded after three seasons.

The league had canceled the 2012 season in January, at the time hoping to return next year. But the remaining five owners announced in a statement Friday that all operations were suspended permanently.

"We sincerely regret having to take this course of action," said T. Fitz Johnson, Atlanta Beat owner and chairman of the WPS.

"We are proud of what WPS has accomplished, having attracted the highest quality players in the world to play in the best women's league, as well as the progress women's soccer has enjoyed over the past three years," Thomas Hofstetter, CEO and president of Sky Blue FC, said.

In January, the league appeared to have settled a legal dispute with Dan Borislow over the termination of his South Florida team, magicJack.

Dan Borislow

 But that deal fell apart, and the league announced in late January that it would not play in 2012.

Each side filed accusatory motions, affidavits and discovery demands. On March 9, Judge Meenu Sasser granted half of Borislow's discovery requests.

On Friday, WPS and Borislow announced all matters and claims giving rise to the lawsuit filed in Palm Beach County, Fla., have been settled by a mutual confidential agreement outside of court.

Jennifer O'Sullivan, who was hired as CEO in September, and chief financial officer Kristina Hentschel were the last two WPS employees. They departed earlier this month. 

Notícia: espn.go.com

_Comunicado oficial da WPS sobre a época 2012

Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) announced today that its Board of Governors has voted to suspend the 2012 season to permit the League to focus on the resolution of certain pending legal issues and the challenges that now face the League as a result of its ongoing dispute with a former owner.

"We are proud of what the League has accomplished in the first three seasons, but we do recognize the necessity to resolve our existing legal and operational issues so that we can continue to support and grow WPS the right way," said Sky Blue FC Owner Thomas Hofstetter. "This was a very difficult decision, but one we as owners feel is the best business decision for the League at this time."

The Board voted on Monday morning to suspend the 2012 season. Over the last year the league has faced significant challenges, including a lengthy and expensive legal battle with a former owner. The litigation has diverted resources from investment in the league and has forced the Board to take action, suspending the 2012 season in order to address the legal issues head-on before moving forward with competition.

"We firmly believe there is a place in the global sports landscape for Women's Professional Soccer," said WPS CEO Jennifer O'Sullivan. "Making the decision to suspend the 2012 season was a difficult and painful one, but it is necessary to take the time to address current issues and solidify our business in order to provide appropriate support needed to achieve the League's long-term goals. Those that take part in our League - players, partners and fans - deserve the best, and that is what we are taking the time to ensure we deliver when we resume play in 2013 and beyond."

WPS has established its plans to return to play in 2013, and all five owners of the League's existing teams - Atlanta Beat, Boston Breakers, Philadelphia Independence, Sky Blue FC and Western New York Flash - will remain active with the CEO, Jennifer O'Sullivan, in the governance of WPS throughout the current year.

"We are deeply grateful to our fans and partners for the tremendous support they have shown for WPS, our players and the sport," added O'Sullivan. "With our supporters and athletes in mind, we are committed to complete the hard work necessary to resume play in 2013 and reestablish WPS as the premiere women's professional soccer league in the world."

Notícia: wps.com

_Não há WPS em 2012

A liga profissional de futebol feminino dos Estados Unidos (WPS) irá suspender operações em 2012

(mais informações sobre esta situação quando a liga emitir um comunicado oficial)

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The owners of Women’s Professional Soccer appear to have decided to “cancel the 2012 season,” according to a league-wide email citing ongoing legal proceedings with renegade owner Dan Borislow.

The decision was apparently voted on by WPS’ five owners on Monday morning, and the news was subsequently delivered to WPS players in the email, obtained by National Soccer Wire, which alluded to further information being relayed following Wednesday’s court hearing in Florida between Borislow and league representatives.

“Everyone has been trying so hard to keep things going - considering settlement options, discussing union legal action to intervene in the lawsuit, etc.,” reads the email, “but we just couldn't manage to make things work.”

According to the email, league officials “currently plan to maintain league and team front offices in hopes of resolving outstanding litigation and holding a 2013 season, but details are still evolving.”

(...)


Notícia: www.nationalsoccerwire.com

_Não há MagicJack para a época 2012 na WPS

Num curto comunicado a WPS anunciou que a equipa de Boca Raton não fará parte do grupo de equipas para a época de 2012. Relembro que nesta equipa jogam importantes jogadoras como: Hope Solo, Abby Wambach, Lisa de Vanna, Megan Rapinoe, Shannon Boxx, Sophie Schmidt, entre outras.

Podes conferir aqui o plantel

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After careful consideration, the Board of Governors of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) voted on Tuesday to terminate the Boca Raton based magicJack franchise.

WPS will continue to deliver to its players and fans the world's top women's soccer league, with plans to make 2012 the most competitive and successful season to date.


Notícia: www.womenssoccerunited.com

_Galeria de Fotos: WPS Championship Final

Clica aqui para veres todas as fotografias

_Resumo do Jogo: WPS Championship Final

Vídeo retirado de: www.13wham.com

_Western N.Y. Flash conquista a WPS Championship

A brasileira Marta conquistou seu segundo título da liga americana de futebol feminino (WPS) neste sábado, na vitória do Western New York Flash sobre o Philadelphia Independence nos pênaltis por 5 a 4, após empate de 1 a 1 no tempo regulamentar e na prorrogação. A camisa 10 terminou a competição como artilheira, marcando 10 gols, e recebeu o prêmio Chuteira de Ouro antes do apito inicial. Esta pode ter sido a última partida da melhor jogadora do mundo nos Estados Unidos, já que existe o risco de a liga acabar.

Marta comemora mais um título nos Estados Unidos (Foto: Divulgação)

Única equipe a vencer o Flash na temporada, com duas vitórias em três confrontos, o Philadelphia entrou em campo com uma filosofia de forte marcação, dando poucos espaços para Marta, que tentou criar algumas jogadas pelas pontas. Um esquilo acabou roubando a cena, ficando por cerca de cinco minutos em campo. O primeiro chute a gol foi foi apenas aos 28 minutos, com a havaiana Tasha Kai, do Independence.

Na segunda etapa, o Philadelphia mudou radicalmente a postura e partiu para o ataque. Rodriguez, que poderia ter sido a melhor jogadora da partida, perdeu quatro chances incríveis de gol. Em um dos raros ataques, o Flash acabou marcando o primeiro gol. Chapman fez ótimo lançamento para Sinclair, que recebeu na área e teve tranquilidade para marcar.

Aos 43 minutos, Rodriguez finalmente acertou o pé e empatou. Adams acertou a trave e, no rebote, Rodriguez chutou por baixo da goleira. Aos 45, Goebel teve a chance de garantir o título para o New York e acertou o travessão.

Esquilo virou um dos protagonistas da final da liga americana feminina (Foto: reprodução)
(veja aqui o momento)

Philadelphia pressionou durante toda a prorrogação. Goebel, do Flash, foi expulsa con seis minutos e, desde então, o time de Nova York não "viu" mais a bola. Todavia, a melhor chance ocorreu para a equipe de Marta, a poucos minutos do fim da prorrogação. Após escanteio, Segel obrigou a goleira Barnhart a evitar um gol certo em cima da linha.

Nos pênaltis, Marta foi a primeira a bater e converteu, chutando no canto esquerdo da goleira. Todas as outras jogadores do Flash também acertaram e, na última cobrança do Independence, a goleira Harris defendeu e confirmou o título.

Marta jogou em três times na WPS. Chegou ao país em 2009 contratada pelo Los Angeles Sol e conseguiu o vice-campeonato. No ano seguinte se transferiu para o Gold Pride e foi campeã. Em 2001 chegou ao time de Nova York e conquistou o bicampeonato.

Notícia: globoesporte.globo.com

_WPS Final

Sábado, 27 de Agosto

Western N.Y. Flash - Philadelphia Independence

21h

Match Tracker
WNY Twitter
PHI Twitter
Webcast

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Philadelphia will now move on to the Championship where they will face the highly touted attacking trio of Marta, Alex Morgan and Christine Sinclair. The top two teams from the 2011 WPS Regular Season met three times in 2011 with Philly taking two of the three meetings, including the only match between the two at Sahlen’s Stadium. While Western New York is the more productive overall goal scoring team, having netted 40 goals in the regular season, Philadelphia has outscored the Flash head-to-head, 4-3.

The WPS Championship presented by Citi will be produced by FOX Soccer in High Definition, and broadcast nationally, live on Fox Sports Net. Click Here for WPS Championship Local Broadcast Listings


Notícia: womensprosoccer.com

WPS: 5ª Jornada - Resultados

Sexta-Feira, 6 de Maio

Western New York Flash 3-1 Sky Blue FC
Golos: Alex Morgan 5', Caroline Seger, Marta 77' ; Adriana 66'

Fotos

Domingo, 8 de Maio

magicJack 2-0 Atlanta Beat
Golos: Ella Masar 24', Christen Press 64'

Fotos

Philadelphia Independence 1-0 Boston Breakers
Golos: Natasha Kai 44', Lianne Sanderson 55'

Resumo do Jogo
Fotos

WPS em directo

Às 23h

Atlanta Beat - Western New York Flash

aqui