With eight pro teams—including newly-announced squads in Boston and New York—women's soccer is poised to rise from moribund levels, according to Women's eNews.
The New Jersey-based team will launch from Sky Blue Soccer, and Boston Women's Soccer has brought back the Boston Breakers. Women's Soccer Initiative is leading the effort to bring the sport back.
Los Angeles; Chicago; Washington, D.C.; St. Louis and Dallas all have newly-formed teams, and another ownership group has signed a letter of intent to start a team. The league's April 2008 kickoff will follow the September 2007 Women's World Cup in China, where the U.S. women's national team will compete.
The Chicago team is the result of a partnership between former Chicago Fire president and general manager Peter Wilt, F.C. Indiana and the Illinois Women's Soccer League ( IWSL ) , according to SportsFeatures.com .
In related news, Chicagoist.com has reported that the U.S. women's team will face New Zealand at Soldier Field on Aug. 12. Tickets are $18-$150. See www.ticketmaster.com .