Chicago’s new women’s pro soccer franchise doesn’t have a name, and it likely will go nameless for another year.
The team does have a home (Toyota Park), a debut window (spring 2009) and a CEO/president who was in a similar position a decade ago.
Peter Wilt was part of the team that brought Major League Soccer to Chicago. The former Fire president/GM is heading the new women’s team along with several other investors, including the Illinois Women’s Soccer League and the owners of Women’s Premier Soccer League team, FC Indiana.
Wilt said the new league, tentatively titled Women’s Soccer LLC, will avoid the mistakes made by the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA), which closed down in 2003 after only three seasons.
The WUSA got a boost from the 1999 World Cup, won by the United States, but relied too heavily on the buzz, which eventually died down.
“The new league is being done more conservatively,” Wilt said. “The salaries will be reduced. We’re going to be smart with money rather than throw it out the window, as was done last time. This league is also going to work with the men’s league (MLS). Last time around, it stood alone and didn’t reach out to MLS.
“That relationship will provide an experienced staff and existing relationships.”
There are seven teams in place for the 2009 debut season: Chicago, New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington D.C., St. Louis and Dallas. The league decided not to debut any sooner due to the 2007 World Cup and 2008 Olympics.
More Top Picks Best Sensory Swings For Adults
The Chicago team will consist of U.S. national team players, international players and players from the best collegiate and club programs. There will be a focus on signing local talent, which Chicago has plenty of thanks to the Eclipse Select (ranked No. 1 in Soccer America’s list of top girls clubs).
“This women’s league is a chance to do something important culturally,” Wilt said. “We will provide heroes for young girls and show the public that team sports don’t have to be limited to men.”
———-