Rumors started this morning, and what can only be classified as shocking to those not in the know, the Los Angeles Times is reporting that the Los Angeles Sol, the marquee franchise in the one-year old Women’s Professional Soccer, will cease operations as of tomorrow.
Steven Goff of the Washington Post had reported similarly earlier in the day. There was some strange news coming out of LA in the offseason, as WPS Coach of the Year Abner Rogers was not retained after leading the Sol to the regular season title. The Sol received a bye to the WPS finals in 2009, where they were beat by Sky Blue FC.
The Sol also were not included in the original WPS schedule, and traded star striker Camille Abily under strange circumstances.
Still, even though there were management problems and rumors that the team may move from the Home Depot Center (where the inaugural WPS game was played last season) to Cal-State Fullerton, there were few rumors (at least publicly) that the team would not compete in the 2010 WPS season.
LA drafted Nikki Washington, Casey Nogueira, and Kiersten Dallstream in the first round of the WPS draft just two weeks ago, and their roster contains the league’s marquee name and widely regarded as the best player in the world, Marta of Brazil.
The loss of the Sol would be a crushing blow to the fledgling WPS, who is set to kick off its second season in two months. The WPS has labeled itself more fiscally responsible than the league that preceded it, the WUSA, which ran from 2000-2003 before folding. Without the Sol, the league will field eight teams this season.
Word is expected from all parties shortly, and we’ll keep you updated on this breaking news.
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