USL News Release
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
TAMPA, Fla. – The 2012 W-League season kicks off this weekend with all eyes on the top women’s league in North America. A blend of traditional powerhouses, new teams, and world-class player signings has the season earmarked as the most anticipated W-League season to date.
This weekend, nine clubs begin play across the continent. New club VSI Tampa hits the road to officially get the W-League season underway for their first game in franchise history by visiting the always-dangerous Charlotte Lady Eagles at 5:30 p.m. ET on Friday. VSI Tampa returns home for another Southeast Division clash hosting fellow W-League newcomers Central SC Cobras on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET.
In Saturday’s only action the Northeast Division gets started as the New Jersey Rangers host the Long Island Rough Riders at 3:00 p.m. ET. After losing in the conference semifinals last year the Long Island Rough Riders are gunning for a championship in ’12 while the Rangers look to turn fortunes around from 2011.
Out west, two second-year clubs, Victoria Highlanders FC and the LA Strikers, do battle against two of the W-League’s elite on Sunday. The Vancouver Whitecaps hop the Georgia Strait visiting the Victoria Highlanders for British Columbia bragging rights. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. PT at Royal Athletic Park. In another rivalry game, the LA Strikers host two-time champion Pali Blues to cap the weekend action.
The 2012 W-League season will see players representing national teams from around the globe, with U.S. stars such as Hope Solo, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Becky Sauerbrunn, Stephanie Cox and Sydney Leroux set to compete. Canada, England, Brazil, Denmark, Mexico, Portugal, Australia, South Africa, Italy and Panama will also be represented on the field in 2012.
The regular season, which is scheduled to conclude the weekend of July 13-15, will see 30 teams competing across three regional conferences. The Ottawa Fury have been selected as hosts of the 2012 USL W-League Championship presented by UMBRO and will host the three W-League conference champions July 27-29 at the Algonquin College Soccer Complex.
Friday, May 11
5:30 p.m. ET VSI Tampa Flames at Charlotte Lady Eagles
Saturday, May 12
3 p.m. ET Long Island Rough Riders at New Jersey Rangers FC
Sunday, May 13
2 p.m. PT Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Victoria Highlanders FC
6:30 p.m. ET Central SC Cobras at VSI Tampa Flames
6 p.m. PT Pali Blues at LA Strikers