The Women’s Professional Soccer league has folded after three seasons.

The league had canceled the 2012 season in January, at the time hoping to return next year. But the remaining five owners announced in a statement Friday that all operations were suspended permanently.

“We sincerely regret having to take this course of action,” said T. Fitz Johnson, Atlanta Beat owner and chairman of the WPS.

“We are proud of what WPS has accomplished, having attracted the highest quality players in the world to play in the best women’s league, as well as the progress women’s soccer has enjoyed over the past three years,” Thomas Hofstetter, CEO and president of Sky Blue FC, said.

WPS staved off extinction twice after the 2011 season. U.S. Soccer was reluctant to give the league Division I sanctioning after it dropped to five teams in November, but relented after the league pointed to a surge of interest in expansion prospects. more

All The

2012 Florida State Cup Results

Are Here

 By Bright House Sports Network, Staff Report

A Webber International University freshman and former Winter Haven soccer star is fighting for her life after a growth on a heart valve created by a staph infection broke away, traveled to her brain and caused a massive stroke.

Bailee Kent, 18, is in critical condition at Tampa General Hospital. The bacteria that infected her heart valve broke off and traveled in her blood stream to her brain before doctors could operate on her heart. Kent now needs a new heart valve and could be forced to undergo brain surgery.

A Facebook page called “TeamBK6” has been created, with more than 1,400 member joining to offer support and encouragement to Kent and her family. more

In a special ceremony tonight at the Safety Harbor Resort & Spa, the players were honored for their achievements as they prepare for the next chapter of their academic and athletic lives.

“We are extremely proud to have the opportunity to honor these young men and women who have worked so hard to achieve their goal of competing at the next level,” Chargers Director of Coaching Peter Mannino said. “Our club takes great pride in preparing student/athletes for college, and we are happy to see another strong class moving on.”

More than 500 Clearwater Soccer Club alumni have gone on to play college soccer since the club was founded in 1972, including more than 60 the past three years.

 The U-18 Boys U.S. Soccer Development Academy team is coached by Roberto Lopez, Garth Pollonais, Tim Mulqueen and Peter Goulish. The U-18 Girls are coached by Ljubomir Korda and Tom Sommerville.

U-17/18 USSDA Boys                       

Player                                                    High School                         College

Jeremiah Barnes                                 Clearwater                            Kenyon College, OH

Mark Biddinger                                    Berkeley Prep                      University of Louisville, KY

Jacob Frahm                                        Land O’ Lakes                      University of North Florida, FL

Danny George                                     Countryside                          Florida Gulf Coast University, FL

Andrew Hitt                                           Countryside                          University of West Florida, FL

Mike Mitchell                                        Braden River                        University of South Florida, FL

Patrick Shelton                                     Wharton                                 High Point University, NC

Rheese Wiltshire                                 Shorecrest Prep                   Elon University, NC

U-18 Girls

Player                                                    High School                         College

Laura Cason                                        River Ridge                           Thomas University, GA

Meghan Dodge                                    East Lake                              Mississippi College, MS or Jacksonville State University, AL

Lisa Jadick                                            River Ridge                           Southeastern University, FL

Kaitlin Parker                                        Clw. Central Catholic          Florida Gulf Coast University, FL

Katherine Pedersen                            Clearwater                            United States Air Force Academy, CO

Founded in 1972, Clearwater Soccer Club is the oldest competitive soccer club in West Central Florida.  In its history the club has captured a pair of National Championships (1995 & 1997 James P. McGuire Cup, U-19 Boys), more than 100 Florida State Championships and 11 Region III titles.

It is also the only club in Florida to have made 11 National Final Four appearances. The club recently announced a merger with Fusion FC of Tampa, bringing together a pair of clubs established in the 1970s to create a club of 80-90 competitive teams and three recreational programs with more than 2,500 players utilizing 50 soccer fields in three counties.

In addition to the NCAA, former Chargers can currently be found playing in MLS, European professional leagues and for several U.S. National Teams. Charger alums Zac MacMath and Jeff Attinella are the starting goalkeepers for the Philadelphia Union of MLS and Tampa Bay Rowdies of the NASL, respectively.

The Clearwater Soccer Club competitive soccer program focuses on the development of the “total player” – one who possesses not only individual skills and talent, but displays good sportsmanship, team unity and community loyalty.

“We are proud of what the League has accomplished in the first three seasons, but we do recognize the necessity to resolve our existing legal and operational issues so that we can continue to support and grow WPS the right way,” said Sky Blue FC Owner Thomas Hofstetter. “This was a very difficult decision, but one we as owners feel is the best business decision for the League at this time.”

The Board voted on Monday morning to suspend the 2012 season.  Over the last year the league has faced significant challenges, including a lengthy and expensive legal battle with a former owner.  The litigation has diverted resources from investment in the league and has forced the Board to take action, suspending the 2012 season in order to address the legal issues head-on before moving forward with competition.

“We firmly believe there is a place in the global sports landscape for Women’s Professional Soccer,” said WPS CEO Jennifer O’Sullivan.  “Making the decision to suspend the 2012 season was a difficult and painful one, but it is necessary to take the time to address current issues and solidify our business in order to provide appropriate support needed to achieve the League’s long-term goals. Those that take part in our League – players, partners and fans – deserve the best, and that is what we are taking the time to ensure we deliver when we resume play in 2013 and beyond.”

WPS has established its plans to return to play in 2013, and all five owners of the League’s existing teams – Atlanta Beat, Boston Breakers, Philadelphia Independence, Sky Blue FC and Western New York Flash – will remain active with the CEO, Jennifer O’Sullivan, in the governance of WPS throughout the current year.

“We are deeply grateful to our fans and partners for the tremendous support they have shown for WPS, our players and the sport,” added O’Sullivan.  “With our supporters and athletes in mind, we are committed to complete the hard work necessary to resume play in 2013 and reestablish WPS as the premiere women’s professional soccer league in the world.” more

Laura Weinberg, Katie Stengle , and Gilda Doria were selected as 2010 Florida Girls Soccer High School Players of the Year and are now meeting in the 2011 NCAA Womens Soccer Championship Tournament in the Semi Final Game on December 2nd.

Katie Stengle played for Viera High school was the 2010 5A Player of the Year now leads Wake Forest and the ACC in scoring and was voted 2011 ACC Offensive Player of the Year.

Laura Weinberg and Gilda Doria both start for the Duke Blue Devils. Weinberg played for St. Andrews and was the 2010 3A Florida Girls Soccer Player of the Year. Doria played for Kings and was the 2010 2A Florida Girls Soccer Player of the Year.

CLEARWATER, Fla. – 

The merger brings together a pair of clubs established in the 1970s to create a club of 80-90 competitive teams and three recreational programs with more than 2,500 players utilizing 50 soccer fields in three counties. The Clearwater Chargers operate out of facilities in Clearwater and Lakewood Ranch, while Fusion FC’s facilities are located in Tampa.

Both clubs have a long history in the Tampa Bay area of developing players who have gone on to be successful in college programs, on U.S. Soccer national teams and in the professional ranks. The list includes current and former MLS standouts such as Kenny Cooper of the Portland Timbers, Bobby Boswell and Richard Mulrooney of the Houston Dynamo, Zac MacMath of the Philadelphia Union, Jeffrey Cunningham and Korey Veeder of the Columbus Crew, Blake Wagner of Real Salt Lake and Scott Bower of the San Jose Earthquakes.

Among other notable alumni are Bryane Heaberlin, (US U17, U18 and U20 Women’s National Team goalkeeper, recently committed to the University of North Carolina), Eugene Starikov (FC Tom Tomsk, Russia), Jeff Attinella and JP Rodrigues (FC Tampa Bay), Brian Waltrip (Norway), Gus Kartes (Greece), Joey Collewijn (Holland and England), Kevin Pahl (U14 and U15 US National Teams), and Atsou Ayah, (current U18 Chargers Academy team member, formerly of the US U17 National Team Residency Program).

“This merger is between two like-minded clubs with a focus on the development of soccer players at every level,” Clearwater Chargers Director of Coaching Peter Mannino said.  “We are excited about what the future will hold for everyone and our ability to continue to be a leader in the Tampa Bay soccer community.”

Chargers Soccer Club is expected to draw players from six counties with the continuation of their local soccer opportunities as well as additional regional and national opportunities. Players age 4 to 19 will compete in recreational “in-house” leagues (U5-U10), recreational travel leagues (U12-U19), and the top competitive soccer leagues in the state, region and nation (U9-U18). Clearwater Chargers Soccer Club is currently one of four clubs in Florida and 78 in the nation to serve as a United States Soccer Federation Development Academy for boys U16 and U18, and is also part of the Southeast Pre-Academy League (U14 Boys). Additionally, the club has an application on file for participation in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) for girls U14-U18.

“This is a great opportunity for two of the longest-standing clubs in Florida, let alone in the Tampa Bay area, to come together combining our resources to continue to provide local opportunities and player development with additional regional, national and international-level opportunities across the whole club,” said Jim DiNobile, Fusion FC Director of Soccer Operations.

The merger brings together a director staff with an unprecedented level of experience for the Tampa Bay region:

• Peter Mannino, Clearwater Director of Coaching (nearly 20 years); USSF B license
• Jim DiNobile, Fusion FC Director of Soccer Operations (nearly 10 years); U.S. Soccer coaching and instructional staff and U.S. Soccer academy scout, USYS ODP Region III Staff Coach, USSF A license
• Garth Pollonais, Clearwater USSF Development Academy Director & U16 coach; USYS ODP Region III Staff Coach, USSF B license
• Mauricio Pesaresi, Fusion FC, Boys Director of Coaching; USYS ODP Region III Staff Coach, USSF A license
• Roberto Lopez, Clearwater USSF Development Academy U18 coach,  U.S. Soccer Staff Coach; USYS ODP Region III Boys ‘88 Assistant Coach, former U20 Men’s National Team staff, USSF A license,
• Richard Chisolm, Fusion FC Girls Director of Coaching and Goalkeeper Director; USYS ODP Region III Staff Coach, USSF A license, USSF Goalkeeper license
• Tim Mulqueen, Clearwater USSF Development Academy goalkeeper coach, former U17 National Team goalkeeper coach,  USSF A license
• Steve Heighway, former Clearwater DOC, Liverpool FC player and director of Liverpool Youth Academy; currently a Clearwater technical advisor
• Kevin Clinton, Clearwater Goalkeeper Director; formerly of the Tampa Bay Rowdies
• Siggi Nagele, Clearwater college advisor, technical trainer; former Eckerd College women’s coach and FYSA ODP Staff Coach
• Roland Moldovan, Fusion FC club coach, speed & agility coach; FYSA ODP Staff Coach, USSF B license

The Chargers Soccer Club competitive program will feature teams at multiple levels in each age group with both Region Cup and State Cup-level teams. Among the leagues in which Chargers Soccer Club teams could compete are the Club Directors League, United Soccer Association, the Florida State League, the Region III Premier League, the National Premier League, the Florida Youth Soccer Association State Premier League and the Southeast Pre-Academy League. The club will also explore the possibility of combined competitive tournament teams for players looking for the opportunity to play with their local club team as well as at major college showcase tournaments.

Chargers Soccer Club will be a club where players of all abilities have a place to play, a club that stresses development of the soccer player, and a club that emphasizes – along with good soccer – striving to make a player the best person they can be through the principles of integrity, honesty, dedication and commitment.

The club’s new logo, currently being developed, will proudly display three stars signifying three national championships. Fusion FC (formerly Black Watch SC and the New Tampa Soccer Association) captured the 1985 U18/19 Girls national championship, while the Clearwater Chargers (encompassing the former Countryside Lightning Soccer Club) captured a pair of National Championships (1995 & 1997 James P. McGuire Cup, U-19 Boys).

The showcase facility for Chargers Soccer Club is Premier Sports Campus, located in Lakewood Ranch in Manatee County and featuring 22 fields and more than 140 acres. Currently serving as the site of the 2011 Nike International Friendlies and the USSF Development Academy Winter Showcase, the Premier Sports Campus will also host the highly successful Chargers Soccer Club Labor Day and Easter tournaments.

Additional details will be posted at www.clearwaterchargers.com and www.fusionfutbol.com as they become available.

CULLOWHEE, N.C. — Senior midfielder Denisse Soltero scored the lone goal for the Ospreys as the University of North Florida women’s soccer team lost their first game of the season, 3-1, at Western Carolina Thursday night. Two second-half goals for the Catamounts put the game out of reach as UNF couldn’t manage a comeback in their first road game of the year.

“We faced a very fast, athletic team tonight,” Head Coach Linda Hamilton said. “They brought a lot of pressure and I think we were overwhelmed at times.”

WCU got the scoring started in the 17th minute, when junior Samantha Hodge threaded a pass between two Osprey defenders to find junior Laura Greb, who was able to put away the chance from about ten yards. Greb’s goal was the first score given up by UNF sophomore goalkeeper Megan Dorsey in over 200 minutes of play.

The Ospreys were able to even the match in the 35th minute on a free kick from just outside the right edge of the penalty box. After senior midfielder Vladana Petricevic fired a free kick off the crossbar, Soltero was able to latch onto the rebound and finish the job, tying the game at 1-1.

Although UNF had multiple chances in the final minutes of the first half, they could only find the post and the teams went into the break stuck at 1-1. more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.

“It’s another game where I thought we had some decent chances but our attack still isn’t good enough,” said head coach Mark Krikorian. “We are trying to possess the ball and keep the ball but there is a fine line between over passing the ball and being dangerous and we are still trying to figure everything out.

“It is good that we got a hard fought win, but I don’t think that anyone on this Florida State team is satisfied with the performance today.”

Florida State and New Mexico struggled to find an offensive attack all evening long as both teams finished the game with nine shots a piece. The Lobos went into halftime with a 4-2 advantage in shots but the Seminoles made the most of their first half shots scoring on their first attempt of the evening.

The lone goal of the game came in the 10th minute of play as the Garnet and Gold took advantage of an early throw-in inside their offensive third. Jessica Price threw a perfect pass into the box where Kallman flicked the ball inside the near post from about 12 yards out for her first goal of the season.

The assist for Price was her second of the season and second game-winning assist on the year. The game-winner for Kallman was the second of her career. more