W-League News Release
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
TAMPA, Fla. – The W-League has added to its presence in Colorado with the announcement that the Colorado Pride, based in Colorado Springs, will join the league beginning with the 2014 season. The Pride will join the W-League’s Western Conference, which already includes the Colorado Rapids Women and Colorado Rush, as well as the 2013 champion Los Angeles Blues.
The Colorado Pride will be operated by Pride Soccer Club, with former Rapids Women Head Coach Daniel Clitnovici serving in the same role.
“Pride Soccer Club has long been one of the largest and strongest youth clubs in Colorado, cultivating a wealth of college talent and competing annually for national championships,” W-League Senior Director Amanda Duffy said. “It’s a natural progression for the club to provide its most talented players with an opportunity to play at the highest level in the U.S. below the NWSL, and we look forward to seeing the competitive team Daniel Clitnovici assembles for 2014.”
Pride Soccer Club was first established in 1994 and has since provided a consistent program in specialized soccer training and development to the Colorado Springs community. Through the years, the Pride Soccer Club has produced many elite soccer players that have gone on to have successful college careers throughout the U.S.
“We are thrilled to be adding a W-League team to our program” Pride Senior Girls DOC Sian Hudson said. “To be able to provide our returning collegiate players with such a high level of play during the summer has become a critical need and it affords our top youth players with a complete developmental progression.
“To have a head coach of Daniel’s experience will give us a vital advantage this year as we build our team and adapt to the league.”
“It’s an honor to be installed as the head coach of the Colorado Pride,” Clitnovici said. “The Colorado Springs area has an incredible passion and culture for the women’s soccer and I feel with the Pride SC youth club behind the team it’s going to be a successful venture for all involved, especially the young club players who dream of playing at the highest levels possible.”
Featuring current, former international and professional stars, the W-League also provides elite amateurs the opportunity to compete while maintaining their eligibility as college student-athletes.
The Colorado Pride will hold tryouts in Colorado Springs on December 21-22, with Clitnovici and his staff on hand to evaluate the potential W-League talent. Players interested in trying out will need to contact Sian Hudson at shudson@pridesoccer.com and stay updated via www.pridesoccer.com and www.facebook.com/pridesoccerclub.