SOCCER AMERICA's Paul Kennedy noted WPS has "experienced three turbulent seasons and lost more clubs -- six -- than it has left." Kennedy: "How much longer will its current owners go on? As it is, the Boston Breakers began the search for a new majority investor in August, and no successor has been named" (SOCCERAMERICA.com, 11/29). Meanwhile, in a special to the N.Y. TIMES, Western New York Flash MF Yael Averbuch wrote, "I like to think that I have a fairly realistic view of the state of women’s soccer in the U.S. I am fully aware that it is likely never going to be a huge money-maker, filling large stadiums and securing tons of corporate sponsors. I have, however, seen extra seating brought into Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester to accommodate more than 14,000 fans for a Western New York Flash game, with others unable to get tickets." She continued, "I whole-heartedly believe that there is a market for women’s soccer in this country. No, it is not going to be a multi-million-dollar-making endeavor. And it will not happen quickly or easily. But the raw materials are there. If they weren’t, I wouldn’t feel so strongly about making it work" (NYTIMES.com, 11/29).
CRAZY TRAIN: UFL Locomotives President, GM & coach Jim Fassel said that a decision "on whether the Locos remain in Las Vegas, or if there's even a UFL in 2012, will be made in the next 60 days." Fassel said that "several factors have to happen -- and soon -- for the league to remain in business." Fassel: "We need to go from four to six teams. We need to get financing in place, get all our debt settled so we can start fresh. We have to market our teams better, and we need some sort of TV deal. If we can do a regional package mixed in with a couple of national TV games, I think we'll be fine there" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 11/30).
KICK-OFF DATE: MLS announced yesterday that it will "open the 2012 season March 10 with six matches, followed by two more games March 11, and one March 12 to complete First Kick weekend." The league said that times and opponents will be "included in the entire regular season schedule, which will be announced upon its completion in the coming weeks" (SPORTS NETWORK, 11/29).
