Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) announced today that Swedish Champions Umeå IK (pronounced ooh-me-oh) will play in the WPS All-Star Game on August 30 to conclude the 2009 WPS Season.
The 2009 All-Star Game is being played at The Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park in Fenton, MO, on August 30th with kick-off scheduled for 5:30pm ET/4:30pm CT. The game will be televised live nationally on Fox Soccer Channel and regionally on select Fox Sports Net affiliates (check local listings), starting at 5:00 p.m. ET with a half-hour pre-game show prior to kick-off.
The game is being played eight days following the WPS Championship, featuring a team of 18 WPS All-Stars, who will be selected through mix of voting (starting 11) and at-large selections by the head coach and the WPS Commissioner.
The race to MLS expansion in 2011 is in the homestretch and the race still looks too close to call even though two favorites have emerged.
Vancouver and Portland look like the most likely candidates for expansion, but St. Louis hasn’t given up hope, making for a final stretch so tough to call that MLS appears ready to extend its own deadline for a decision to buy itself some time.
Anheuser-Busch InBev is giving the Anheuser-Busch Center in Fenton to St. Louis Soccer United, opening the possibility a Major League Soccer team could play on the Missouri side of the river.
Though the league has never said it publically, the “distance” of Collinsville has hung over the Cooper bid from Day One. This takes it out of the equation, assuming they can build on the site. They’re going to have to do a lot of building along the river to make the site work. Plus, they’ll need a new offramp off 44 (to do one off 270 would require a bridge, I’m pretty sure, which would get pretty expensive, I would think) and some place to put the cars. The site will still be used as a youth soccer facility, so they can’t just pave over the outer fields. Cooper seems optimistic that can be worked out.
My initial thoughts? “The rich get richer” as the St Louis United “club” now controls the primary pitches on both sides of the river, while St Louis Youth Soccer continues to try to resolve the lack of fields following last years devastating floods.
As a “solution” to the MLS bid, I find it hard to believe it will make the difference. If InBev wants to become an owner, with Jeff Cooper, than St Louis will have a team. As noted in one article, AB is now the lone remaining sponsor from the 1st year of MLS (1996). We are about to find out where Sports Marketing fits for InBev in the new financial environment we find ourselves in.
Congratulations to Coach Mike Howard of the Rolla Bulldogs, who won his 500th High School game on Saturday when the ladies shut out the Hickman Kewpies 2-0. Come back later today for an in-depth retrospective courtesy of Nick Schmitt.
I saw Mike’s career win on Saturday and it was great taking in some quality games. But before I dive into your opportunities this week, I want to remind you about the Lake Country Soccer Open Forum tomorrow night. Tuesday March 25th, 6:00 – 8:00 pm, meet with the Board and share your thoughts on the long term direction that should be taken. Given the likelihood of cuts in the Parks Department, it’s very important for the soccer community to get out in front of any possible issues.
Speaking of getting in front of any issues, how many of you have seen the pictures of the AB Soccer Complex in Fenton? The helicopter photos last night showed the water was up to the 8th row on the main field which I figure puts the upper level fields under 4-6 feet of water. This photo is the entrance to the Park with #3 Field to the right under water, #1 Field in the background. I found some shots of the area around Fenton, including I-44 and 141 where the Taco Bell just West of the Soccer Park is located.
I wonder if Lake Country Soccer might be a better alternative for the State Soccer tournament this year?
The Springfield public school teams get started this week, including Kickapoo opening defense of their Sectional title by hosting Bentonville (AR) this evening. Keep an eye on Courtney Sanders for the Tigers. They’ll also play Lebanon (Tue), Catholic (Fri) and Rogers (AR) on Saturday.
Coach Tom Davidson at Ozark is two games away from earning his 500th win. His Lady Tigers will have three opportunities this week to reach the magic number. They open their season tomorrow in Waynesville, travel to Willard for a COC game on Friday and have their home opener on Saturday at 6:00 pm when Harrison (AR) comes for a game originally scheduled for last Thursday.
The Glendale Falcons play Friday for the first time when Rogers (AR) visits. Willard travels to Hillcrest tonight, Joplin hosts Catholic, the Zizzer’s travel to Poplar Bluff tomorrow and to Liberty Mountain View Friday to play the new girls team in the region. I’m still getting caught up on the calendars so I’ll have more later.
One final mention. The KC Wizards open their Major League Soccer season this Saturday at home. I was considering attending the game but it turns out I have a new sponsor. Coesters, at 631 S Kimbrough just West of the MSU Campus, has committed to becoming the home of the KC Wizards this season so that’s where you’ll find me Saturday night at 7:00 pm. I’ll have more details ASAP but consider joining me for Jackie Jewsbury’s latest professional campaign!
Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) announced today that Swedish Champions Umeå IK (pronounced ooh-me-oh) will play in the WPS All-Star Game on August 30 to conclude the 2009 WPS Season.
