What's In A Name..

Recently, someone on the WPS boards asked the meaning behind the name Los Angeles Sol. It got me thinking about the meanings behind our other WPS team names and logos. Check out some interesting info I scrounged up, solely for your reading enjoyment:

Los Angeles Sol: Sol is the Latin translation for Sun and the modern word for 'Sun' in the Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, Icelandic, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish languages. Los Angeles is renowned for its sunny climate and rich heritage. Perfect choice, no?

Boston Breakers: Did you know 'Boston Breakers' was the name of Boston's 1983 USFL team?The USFL Breakers had originally hoped to play at Harvard Stadium (home to our current Boston WPS team). However, the USFL Breakers actually wound up playing at Boston University's Nickerson Field (where the Boston Breakers of WUSA used to play). Talk about a coincidence?

FC Gold Pride: 'Gold' according to the owners refers to the Bay Area -- their "gold standard" and of course the "Golden State". The lioness in the logo demonstrates the characteristics of strength, teamwork, and skill -- They are the providers of the pride. I was a fan of "Aftershocks" but hey, we can't win 'em all.

Chicago Red Stars: The team name is in honor of the four red stars on Chicago's flag. A fifth star was added to the Red Stars' logo to represent Chicago's new women's team. Fun fact: In its public naming contest, the Chicago Wind came in second place.

St. Louis Athletica: Inspired by St. Joan of Arc, the Athletica crest features the silhouette of a woman atop her horse hoisting an "STL" flag overhead. Below the crest, a SAINT LOUIS ATHLETICA banner is flanked by two fleurs-de-lis — a nod to St. Louis as an 18th Century French settlement. The word "Athletica," is derived from the adjective "athletic," with the "a" denoting the newly-created noun as feminine, a common practice in many foreign languages.

Washington Freedom: C'mon people. You're in Washington. If you can't figure it out, I sure can't help ya. But love the new logo with the soccer ball shaped Capitol Building. Drastic improvement from the Freedom's WUSA logo, no? If anyone knows what the old image was (other than scary) let me know!

Sky Blue FC: SBFC chose to adopt the use of the traditional 'FC' slang - the shortened version of "Football Club" in many parts of the world. The use of FC reflects Sky Blue's European ties with company owners Thomas Hofstetter and Francesco Prandoni originally from Germany and Italy. Plus, add a head coach hailing from England, it's a wrap. The Sky Blue logo features a bird - the swift - flying through the sky.

Now that you know what's behind the names and images of our current WPS teams, how bout some suggestions for our future teams...

What do you think Philly and Atlanta should be called?