The rebirth of the Women's United Soccer Association will begin in Minnesota and Southern California later this year with an eye toward a return of the eight-team league in 2005.
The WUSA will hold soccer festivals at the National Sports Center June 17-20 in Blaine, Minn., and at the Home Depot Center in Carson June 24-27.
The San Jose CyberRays and San Diego Spirit are expected to be two of the four teams playing at the Home Depot Center festival, says Tony DiCicco, co-chairman for the WUSA's re-launch committee. The CyberRays played three years at Spartan Stadium and were the league's inaugural champion in 2001.
A third soccer festival at an undisclosed location is being investigated by WUSA officials. Two unnamed cities have been talking with the WUSA about hosting that festival. A total of 24 cities submitted bids to the WUSA relaunch committee. San Jose submitted interest early on but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts, Mr. DiCicco says.
The festivals will feature a series of soccer-themed events during the Thursday to Sunday timeframe. Each weekend is scheduled to feature soccer clinics, player appearances and autograph signing sessions, WUSA Fan Zones, a Friday luncheon and several other festivities.
The league announced in September that it was "suspending operations" because of a lack of corporate sponsorship.
Mr. DiCicco says the return of the league in 2005 is not guaranteed and is dependent on advanced ticket sales and corporate sponsorships.
http://sanjose.bizjournals.com
The WUSA will hold soccer festivals at the National Sports Center June 17-20 in Blaine, Minn., and at the Home Depot Center in Carson June 24-27.
The San Jose CyberRays and San Diego Spirit are expected to be two of the four teams playing at the Home Depot Center festival, says Tony DiCicco, co-chairman for the WUSA's re-launch committee. The CyberRays played three years at Spartan Stadium and were the league's inaugural champion in 2001.
A third soccer festival at an undisclosed location is being investigated by WUSA officials. Two unnamed cities have been talking with the WUSA about hosting that festival. A total of 24 cities submitted bids to the WUSA relaunch committee. San Jose submitted interest early on but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts, Mr. DiCicco says.
The festivals will feature a series of soccer-themed events during the Thursday to Sunday timeframe. Each weekend is scheduled to feature soccer clinics, player appearances and autograph signing sessions, WUSA Fan Zones, a Friday luncheon and several other festivities.
The league announced in September that it was "suspending operations" because of a lack of corporate sponsorship.
Mr. DiCicco says the return of the league in 2005 is not guaranteed and is dependent on advanced ticket sales and corporate sponsorships.
http://sanjose.bizjournals.com
