USL Feature – www.uslsoccer.com
Thursday, May 5, 2011
The Virginia Beach Piranhas may have undergone a name change for 2011, but the goal of winning a W-League title remains the same. Since the Piranhas claimed the 2003 W-League Championship and back-to-back Atlantic Division titles in 2003 and 2004, they have been stuck in the middle of the table. However, in 2011 change is afoot and the Piranhas are looking for a return to the top.
In order to reach the summit once more, the Piranhas realized some things would have to change. First, former player-coach and W-League legend Wendy Waddell decided to move to the coaching role full-time.
“Wendy would still be an impact player on any W-League roster, but she decided that in order to better our team’s chance at reaching our fifth W-League Championship,” Piranhas President Marcie Laumann said.
The next decision the Piranhas had to make was how to best structure their roster. After tinkering with a roster of mainly younger talent, the Piranhas decided to make a change.
“Our coaching staff has been recruiting for nine months and our roster is mainly post-collegiate players who are older and more experienced,” Laumann added. “We have also put a great deal of time and energy into scouting internationals from across the world.”
The Piranhas are confident the roster they’ve constructed will thrust them back into the W-League playoff chase.
The Piranhas are always looking for new ways to raise the profile of their club of the field as well. The franchise is well known throughout the community for their charity work and their innovative approach to raising awareness for the club.
“We have spent a great deal of time in the off-season completely overhauling our marketing program,” Laumann said. “We now have our own director of social media, we retained a professional marketing firm, and have started our own radio show - Red Card Radio - which can be heard locally on 102.1 FM and world wide via the web from 9-10 a.m. every Saturday morning. Red Card Radio talk all things soccer, especially USL.”
Atlanta Silverbacks
The Atlanta Silverbacks enter the 2011 season as the defending Atlantic Division champions and winners of the past four division titles. The Silverbacks finished with a 7-2-1 record last season, holding off a challenge from the Charlotte Lady Eagles for the division title.
Atlanta charged all the way to the final four last season, but had to settle for third place. This season the Silverbacks are gunning for the finals once more after suffering a tough defeat to eventual champion Buffalo last season. Given the talent and pedigree of past Atlanta sides, another division title will be expected.
Charlotte Lady Eagles
The Charlotte Lady Eagles will have June 3 penciled into their calendars this season. June 3 is when the Lady Eagles will renew their rivalry the Silverbacks. After playing bridesmaid to the Silverbacks for the past several seasons and losing to Atlanta, 1-0, in a gut-wrenching Eastern Conference final in 2010, the Lady Eagles will be out for revenge.
Charlotte, backstopped by Goalkeeper of the Year Alyssa Whitehead, returns 20 former Lady Eagles this season. Charlotte hopes the small amount of turnover will play to its advantage. Last year Charlotte boasted the W-League’s best defense, only surrendering four goals in the regular season. If the Lady Eagles can raise their scoring productivity, this may be the year they finish on top.
Dayton Dutch Lions
The Dutch Lions entered the USL system last year with a PDL team, and 2011 marks the debut of their USL PRO and W-League sides. The Dutch Lions will be coached by Mark Batman and aim to make an immediate impact in the W-League.
Dayton has slowly begun to assemble a talented roster of collegiate talent and W-League alums. In true Dutch Lions form, the team has even brought over some talent from the Netherlands in Rianne Schorel. The Dutch Lions will face a tough test to begin the season, opening against Atlanta May 14.
Fredericksburg Impact
The Impact are among the debut W-League sides for the 2011 season and they are looking to forge success in the competitive Atlantic Division. Fredericksburg has already begun to assemble of squad of talented college players in preparation for the season.
Fredericksburg is guided by head coach Jen Woodie in its inaugural season and Woodie will have a tough task on her hands, but given the talent pool in the region the Impact have a chance to make an “Impact” this season.
Northern Virginia Majestics
The Majestics enter 2011 after a difficult 2010 season. Northern Virginia could only muster two wins and six goals last season, but it is looking to right the ship.
Coach Jac Cicala’s side is aiming to get its season off on the right foot when it visits expansion Fredericksburg on May 21.