Women's United Soccer Association

Women’s United Soccer Association
(2001-2003)

Tombstone

Formed: 2000
Disbanded: September 15, 20031Parker, Wendy. “Citing money woes, WUSA votes to fold”. The Journal-Constitution (Atlanta, GA). September 16, 2003

First Game: April 14, 2001
Last Game: August 24, 2003

Seasons: 3
States: 7 including the District of Columbia
(CA, DC, GA, MA, NC, NY, PA)

Leadership

President & CEO:

  • January 2001 – August 2001: Barbara Allen
  • August 2001 – September 2003: Lynn Morgan

Commissioner:

  • August 2001 – September 2003: Tony DiCicco

Attendance

Sources:

  • 2002 Boston Breakers Media Guide (2001 figures)
  • Bickelhaupt, Susan. “WUSA opts to suspend operations”. The Globe (Boston, MA). September 16, 2003 (2002-2003 figures)

Trophy Case

WUSA Most Valuable Player

Year Player Position Team
2001 Tiffeny Milbrett Forward New York Power
2002 Marinette Pichon Forward Philadelphia Charge
2003 Maren Meinert Forward Boston Breakers

 

WUSA Offensive Player of the Year

Year Player Position Team
2001 Tiffeny Milbrett Forward New York Power
2002 Marinette Pichon Forward Philadelphia Charge
2003 No Award?

 

WUSA Defensive Player of the Year

Year Player Position Team
2001 Doris Fitschen Defender Philadelphia Charge
2002 Danielle Slaton Defender Carolina Courage
2003 Joy Fawcett Defender San Diego Spirit

 

WUSA Goalkeeper of the Year

Year Player Team
2001 LaKeysia Beene Bay Area CyberRays
2002 Kristin Luckenbill Carolina Courage
2003 Briana Scurry Atlanta Beat

 

WUSA Rookie of the Year

Year Player Position Team
2001 No Award
2002 Abby Wambach Forward Washington Freedom
2003 Christine Latham Forward San Diego Spirit

 

WUSA Coach of the Year

Year Coach Team
2001 Ian Sawyers Bay Area CyberRays
2002 Mark Krikorian Philadelphia Charge
2003 Pia Sundhage Boston Breakers

 

 

WUSA Executive of the Year

Year Coach Team
2001 No Award
2002 Joe Cummings Boston Breakers
2003 Joe Cummings Boston Breakers

 

Background

The WUSA launched in April 2001, spurred by the success of the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament hosted by the United States. Structured as a single entity business and backed by cable TV investors, WUSA enjoyed franchise stability (none of its eight individual clubs folded or relocated) and succeeded in attracting many of the top players from around the world.

The league underperformed expectations dramatically in corporate sponsorship and television ratings, resulting in an estimated $100 million in losses over three seasons.  The league folded under financial duress on September 15th, 2003.

Women's United Soccer Association 2001

 

Women’s United Soccer Association Franchise List

Franchise Years Active Founders Cup Champions
Atlanta Beat 2001-2003 None
Bay Area CyberRays 2001 2001
Boston Breakers 2001-2003 None
Carolina Courage 2001-2003 2002
New York Power 2001-2003 None
Philadelphia Charge 2001-2003 None
San Diego Spirit 2001-2003 None
San Jose CyberRays 2002-2003 2001 (as "Bay Area")
Washington Freedom 2001-2003 2003

 

Women’s United Soccer Association Shop

 

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