Women's United Soccer Association (original) (raw)
The Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) was the highest level professional soccer league for women in the United States. The league started play in 2001 and suspended operations on September 15, 2003. An outpouring of support at the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup which occurred soon after the announcement gave new hope for the resumption of play in 2004.
Teams were primarily comprised of players from the United States, including Mia Hamm, Tiffeny Milbrett, Julie Foudy, Kate Sobrero, and Brandi Chastain.
Each team was also allowed four "International" players. Among the international players were stars of powerhouse teams such as China's Sun Wen and Bai Jie, Germany's Birgit Prinz and Maren Meinert, Norway's Hege Riise and Dagny Mellgren, Brazil's Katia and Pretinha, and Canada's Charmaine Hooper and Christine Latham. The league also hosted singular talents from nations which were not at the forefront of women's soccer, such as Maribel Dominguez of Mexico, Julie Fleeting of Scotland, Cheryl Salisbury of Australia, and Kelly Smith of England.
2001-2003 teams
- Atlanta Beat
- Boston Breakers
- Carolina Courage
- New York Power
- Philadelphia Charge
- San Diego Spirit
- San Jose CyberRays
- Washington Freedom
Past Founders Cup champions
- 2001 Bay Area CyberRays 3-3 (4-2Pks) Atlanta Beat
- 2002 Carolina Courage 3-2 Washington Freedom
- 2003 Washington Freedom 2-1 (OT) Atlanta Beat
External link
WUSA is also a television channel in Washington, D.C