Departure of LA Sol from WPS leaves Gold Pride as sole West Coast team
By Jay Hipps · January 28, 2010
A frequently-heard complaint during FC Gold Pride’s inaugural season was that the team’s name didn’t designate a geographical area. With Thursday’s announcement that the Los Angeles Sol was being disbanded prior to the 2010 WPS season, what was perceived as a shortcoming may turn into an asset.
“We’re it on the West Coast for professional women’s soccer, and that’s great,” said Ilisa Kessler, FC Gold Pride general manager. “We represent more people now and we’re willing to carry that banner.”
LA’s disbanding today came after AEG, who operated the team during the 2009 season, returned its ownership stake to the league in late November. Negotiations with potential buyers fell through unexpectedly, and the logistical challenges posed by the upcoming 2010 season forced the league’s hand.
“Knowing that AEG was only committed for a year, I think there was always a risk that an ownership group might not develop (to take over the Sol),” said Kessler. “The league had to make a decision because we have a season to put on — we have a schedule to put out, the players on the Sol need to be dispersed, and there’s a lot of logistics to handle. The longer you wait, the closer it gets to the start of the season, the worse it gets. We all want to get going, to start selling tickets, and we need our schedule to do that.”
Despite the setback, Kessler indicated that she remained optimistic about the future of both FC Gold Pride and the WPS.
“I’ve been talking a lot with our ownership family, the NeSmiths, and they are fully committed and want to make sure that we’re around for a long time,” she said. “The way I’m looking at it, and yes, it’s absolutely unfortunate that a team like the LA Sol won’t be playing in 2010, but with the new teams joining the league, with us committing to a new stadium that’s being renovated, with Atlanta moving into the first WPS stadium, those are incredible investments towards this league. People are still investing in (the WPS), so I don’t think this is a sign of weakness or that the league is faltering — it’s just business. Our national sponsors are all still committed to the league.”
The immediate question to be resolved is where the players currently on the Sol’s roster—including reigning FIFA World Player of the Year Marta, U.S. international Shannon Boxx, and former FC Gold Pride midfielder Tina DiMartino—will ply their trade in 2010. All players currently on the Sol roster will be subject to a dispersal draft next Thursday, and FC Gold Pride has the number three, 14, and 19 picks. Marta is the obvious prize, but it’s not a foregone conclusion that she will be taken with the first pick, currently held by Atlanta. “There are salary cap implications and budget implications,” said Kessler.
That’s not to say that FC Gold Pride wouldn’t be interested in the talented Brazilian, however. “A player like Marta doesn’t come around very often. She’s one of a kind—she’s an amazing player and can shift what happens on the field and also with your fans, so I would say yes, if that opportunity presents itself, we would definitely consider it.”
Whoever is acquired by the Pride will add to what will already be a stiff competition for roster spots. The team has already picked up international midfielders Camille Abily (France) and Solveig Gulbrandsen (Norway) as well as top draft pick and 2009 Hermann Trophy winner Kelley O’Hara this off-season, and is likely to have the opportunity to add two more players from LA’s roster.
“I’m really looking forward to preseason,” said Kessler. “There’s going to be a lot of fighting for those roster spots—it’s going to be very competitive. I think there’s going to be some exciting soccer this season and I’m looking forward to it.”
Is Amway Global now off the hook form having to pay the rest of its previous multi-year jersey deal with the Sol and/or with WPS in general? If so, will it now invest that money in a jersey deal with another WPS team or will it instead deepen its investment in its only current jersey-deal team… namely, the San Jose Earthquakes?
AEG sucks! Filthy, vile, despicable, puss-sucking, money-grubbing bags of crap!
Way to support the game guys! How much does it cost to run a WPS team?! The salary cap is probably what? $500K for the whole team? And AEG already get a sweet deal on the Home Despot Center. Why dump the team? Pigs.
markmcf I agree with you 100%!! AEG had to also know that they were going to lose money the first year? They had the most exciting female player on their roster too? What does that say about this “Giant Entertainment” company that they couldn’t even market the most famous female player in the nations 2nd biggest city?? I say boycott them (wait I already do).
Goodsport maybe Amway will throw some money now toward a stadium sponsorship deal for the Quakes??? I’d be ok with that.
I heard that the SOL lost ~$2 million last year, so yeah, that’s as much as some MLS teams lose.
I also heard that Amway would continue to sponsor WPS, perhaps whatever team ends up taking Marta.