USL News Release
Friday, April 1, 2011
TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues announced today that the Central South Carolina Cobras have joined the W-League for the 2012 season. The club will play a series of friendly matches in 2011.
The Cobras are owned by Ewell Gordon and are an entity of Optimal Physical Performance, LLC, a company dedicated to providing integrated physical performance training to professional and elite-level athletes.
“The Cobras, based in Columbia with its large soccer community, are very excited to join the USL W-League as the first team at this level in South Carolina,” Gordon said. “With the rich tradition in women’s soccer and top collegiate programs in the state, expectations are high.”
Central South Carolina will draw players from a large pool of former college standouts, including international players, who have played in the state.
The Cobras will be coached by Glad Bugariu. Currently the head coach at South Carolina State University, Bugariu has completely revamped the program in two short years, leading the team to its first winning season and best record.
Bugariu will be assisted by Sandy Burris, who holds the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) "D" and a NSCAA "Advanced National Diploma." Also assisting Bugariu at South Carolina State, Burris has also been a vital part of the recent success of that program.
“This is great news for the W-League and soccer fans in South Carolina,” USL CEO Alec Papadakis said. “The addition of the Cobras will create even more competition for our existing clubs throughout the southeast including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia, and we expect Ewell Gordon will have his team competing for championships immediately.”
A formal news conference to announce the team will be held in the coming weeks, with stadium and schedule information expected to be revealed.
The first and longest-standing women’s league in North America, the W-League is USL’s highest level of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada. The 2011 USL W-League campaign will feature 27 teams in three regional conferences playing 10-14 regular season matches.
In addition to featuring international and professional stars, elite amateur players have the opportunity to compete on amateur teams in the league while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. The league is recognized throughout the world for providing superior competition for female players, while offering affordable family entertainment for fans across North America.
The top supplier of talent for the WPS, the W-League saw another large group of its alumni make the move into professional soccer recently with 13 of the 24 players selected in the 2011 WPS Draft having previously played in the W-League.