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WUSA Founding Players
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Timeline |
Brief History of Women's Soccer
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According to FIFA, games between married men and bachelors were contested across England for centuries. But it wasn't until the end of the 17th century when a game in Inveresk, Scotland between married and unmarried women was played. Curiously, the married women routinely won these regular games.
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The passage of Title IX prohibiting gender discrimination in any federally funded educational program or activity made a huge impact. Increased financial aid and opportunities for female athletes led to greater participation, as well as greater awareness of women's sports.
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During the fall, FIFA staged the inaugural first women's World Cup in China, which where the U.S. won the championship. Now held every four years like the men's tournament, Norway won the following Cup in 1995.
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Women's soccer made its Olympics debut in Atlanta, enticing many of the top international stars to stay in the game instead of opting for retirement. The USA won the gold medal.
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The third edition of the World Cup put women's soccer on the map. This time, an enormous number of media organizations covered the event held in the U.S., and 90,000 spectators attended the final - exceeding the number of fans at the men's World Cup final in 1998 - and the U.S. recaptured the title against China. About 40 million viewers watched the game on television, scoring higher figures than the NBA or NHL finals. As current FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter has said, "The Future of Football is Feminine."
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| Major U.S. media companies and individual investors join forces with the nation's leading female soccer stars to form the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA), the premier top women's international professional soccer league.
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The WUSA outlines a number of major steps in the League's development, including the conditional selection of its first eight team markets plus eight alternate markets. The league announces a number of player signings and the opening of its headquarters in New York City. In addition, Turner Sports, Inc., and the League have reached an exclusive four-year national cable television agreement to televise 88 games during the contract's duration on Turner Network Television (TNT) and CNN/Sports Illustrated.
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WUSA allocates its 20 founding players -- all former U.S. National Team members, including Julie Foudy, Mia Hamm and Tiffeny Milbrett -- to its eight initial team markets.
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The WUSA conducts its first-ever Foreign Player Allocation Draft. The League signs 16 international players who will compete in the first season. The Olympic gold-medal winning Norway squad and 1999 World Cup bronze medalists Brazil lead the way with four players from each country joining the WUSA.
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| Team logos, team names and stadiums are unveiled for the League's eight franchises. The names of the eight initial WUSA teams are: Atlanta Beat, Bay Area CyberRays, Boston Breakers, New York Power, Carolina Courage, Philadelphia Charge, San Diego Spirit and Washington Freedom.
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The League holds it's Global Inaugural Draft in Boca Raton, Fla. Sun Wen of China is selected as the first pick by the Atlanta Beat.
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Barbara Allen, a 22-year veteran of Quaker Oats, is named Chief Executive Officer of the WUSA.
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| The League holds its first Spring Training in San Diego, CA as the teams prepare for a 21-game season. | |
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The WUSA kicks off with Brandi Chastain's Bay Area CyberRays facing off against Mia Hamm's Washington Freedom at historic RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.
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