WPS' Landmark 3rd Season Will Be A Challenge

As many of you know, we are only days away from the start of the WPS' landmark 3rd season. Why "Landmark" you may ask. If you know about the history of Women's Soccer, then you'll understand why. Back in 2001, one year after the Olympics in Sydney, the WUSA, which was the first Women's pro league in this country, started its first season. The WUSA experienced much success at first, especially after the new-found excitement in the Women's game after the 1999 Women's World Cup victory. As time passed however, spectator numbers began to dwindle, and in 2003, the year of the league's 3rd season, and also a World Cup, the league as a whole folded. Then in 2009, one year after the Gold Medal victory in the Beijing Olympics, WPS rose from the ashes of its predecessor and started what it would hope to be a long standing history. We are coming into 2011, the year of the league's 3rd season, and also that of a World Cup. The histories of these two sound identical, don't they? Its because they are. The only difference is that this time, the league can learn from some of the previous mistakes and hopefully make it past. In 2003, the WUSA folded only weeks before the start of the World Cup. Because of that, we don't know how a league will fare when competing with a World Cup taking place at the very same time. If WPS doesn't follow in its predecessor's steps, by folding weeks before the major World competition, then it will be put to the test.


The biggest obstacle that makes this 3rd year that much more difficult is the timing, since the Women's World Cup will be taking place in roughly the same time period. The WPS season begins in April and goes straight through until the end of August. The World Cup only lasts about a month, taking place from June 26th to July 17th, but it falls smack dab in the middle of the season, and has the potential to draw fans away from WPS, and to the World's most prestigious competition. While it may seem short, we also have to realize that many stars and players for the National teams will have to report to training camps and friendlies in the beginning of the season. They will also have to depart early with their country to Europe before World cup as well, so you can expect them to leave by early June. Sure its ironic, since World Cup and WPS both help each other in that they both promote the sport. However, World Cup will be somewhat of an opposing factor, though it can ultimately help the league. The biggest problem it poses is the fact that many of the top players will be missing. This will be true for much of the season, since there will be pre-WWC training camps and friendlies, meaning lots of stars will be busy and will not be suiting up for their league team. Because of that, many fans will be busy watching national teams and unfortunately the league will take a back seat. Attendance numbers will likely drop, since stars draw crowds, and one can argue that quality of play may drop. Not drastically, but it may decline a little, since the league will be in the hands of the youth players, who are understandably less experienced. Aside from the fact that main players will be missing, World Cup is a major event that takes place only every 4 years, and since it is the most important Championship in the sport, it takes top priority. Ratings and attendance will likely drop due to the simple fact that the majority of fans will be watching World Cup. The WPS will be taking a hiatus, but only during the group stage. In the knockout stages, the WPS will be back. More people will opt to watch the World Cup knockout stage matches, rather than WPS. For example, there will be a game on July 9th that stages the Washington Freedom against Sky Blue FC at Yurcak field. Normally, I would be at this game without a doubt, however, there is also a WWC quaterfinal held this day. Two in fact. Instead of going to the WPS match, I like many other fans will be home watching the World Cup matches. Not only that, but as I said earlier, many of the big stars will be missing (and even if top stars came back from a group stage loss, they would not be back to league play so quickly I assume), which means that it will not entice fans to come out and support the teams. I love Women's Soccer and I'd love to support the WPS, but really, its just bad timing. As a fan you're torn, because you know that keeping the league alive is important for the growth of the sport, but you also know that the World Cup is the perfect chance to show that Women's Soccer has an audience, and the spotlight is going to be on Germany 2011, without a doubt. The World Cup is going to cause a drop in attendance and viewership during the season, and especially in our 3rd year, this only poses more difficulty for sustaining the league. While the World Cup as a whole can only help promote and showcase the sport, which in turn will help leagues around the world, they need to survive first. It will be a tough task, but I believe it can be done. And if the league holds out, it can benefit from this World Cup.


Wishing both the league and the World Cup much success!

Denise