WPS: Lets Get It Started

Tomorrow, Women's Professional Soccer will introduce itself to the world. It will make a simple statement -- women's soccer is here to stay.

Though the league's predecessor, the WUSA, only lasted 3 years, WPS is committed to making sure women's professional soccer sticks this go-round. "The quality of each and every team is instantly better (than the WUSA days)," Milbrett says. "The game has grown so much."

With that said, let's take a look at our teams: (in the order I see them placing this season)

Chicago Red Stars
If this team works as hard as its star player, Lindsay Tarpley, the Red Stars will fair well in this league. Tarpley will have great support in her US WNT teammates Megan Rapinoe and Carli Lloyd. Rapinoe, the 2008 West Coast Conference player of the year, has the potential to make big things happen offensively for the Red Stars. Lloyd, who will be the controlling force in the midfield, is a smart, skillfull player who has great vision on the pitch. Other players to watch out for are Brazilian forward Cristiane and Sweedish midfielder Frida Ostberg. This is a great team with a dynamic leader in coach Emma Hayes. They also get my vote for the most "connected" team.

Los Angeles Sol
I'd hate to be the one to tell Marta that she is looking at a repeat of the '08 Olympics, but I think she's going to see silver again this year with WPS. She may be the world's best female soccer player, but she can't do it all. Don't get me wrong, Sol is solid. With players like Shannon Boxx, Aly Wagner, Stephanie Cox, Camille Abily and Han Duan, the team will go far. Coach Abner Rodgers plays a possession-focused game and that is something the US WNT players on the team understand from the get-go.

Sky Blue FC
Christie Rampone brings leadership and stability. Heather O'Reilly brings speed and a brilliant right foot. And Natasha Kai, well, she's bringing her spunk and (hopefully) a lot of goals. Coach Ian Sawyers has called this team a melting pot, though I think most teams in WPS are. With 6 international players on its 21-person roster (and a whole lot of W-League stars), SBFC is going to bring exciting soccer to its fans week after week. Sawyers, who was WUSA's coach of the year in 2001, led the San Jose CyberRays to a championship in its inaugural season and I think he'll make a good run for the championship this year with Sky Blue.

St. Louis Athletica
Ok, so his English may not be that great, but Athletica coach Jorge Barcellos sure knows his soccer. Barcellos, the former Brazilian Women's National Team coach, will be bringing his fast flowing, attacking style of play to the WPS. He really values technique and understands the importance of strength and physicality in the modern game. He handpicked a team filled with skill and speed. Oh, did I mention he also snagged the world's best goalkeeper, too? With US WNT players Lori Chalupny and Hope Solo, coupled with 2-time MAC Herman Trophy winner Kerri Hanks, and Brazilian midfielder Daniella, this team is stacked.

Boston Breakers
One name -- DiCicco. Now, this is a coach who knows how to field a team. He's got Kristine Lily. He's got Kelly Smith and Alex Scott. He's got A-Rod. If that wasn't enough, he also has former National Team players Angela Hucles and Heather Mitts. Oh, I'm not done yet. Have I mentioned WUSA veterans Kristen Luckenbill and Nancy Augustyniak Goffi? Or how about Canadian forward Christine Latham? This team is deep with a capital D.

Washington Freedom
Luckily for Coach Jim Gabarra, the Freedom got a head start on the competition. When the WUSA folded in 2003, Gabarra and the Washington Freedom continued on as a W-League team. Come draft-time for the WPS, Gabarra was able to keep 12 players from his W-league team for his WPS roster. Talk about an advantage! US star Abby Wambach and Australian foward Lisa De Vanna will anchor the Freedom offense while US WNT player Cat Whitehill will bring her extensive experience to the back line.

FC Gold Pride
Fact: "Only a small percentage of the world’s wines get noticeably better with age, but those that do are worth the wait." I think the same of soccer players. At 40 and 36, Brandi Chastain and Tifeny Milbrett will prove to be worth our wait. We haven't seen much of them in the past few years, but now that they are back I'm sure we'll see some new tricks. FC Gold Pride also has former US WNT denfensive midfielder Leslie Osborne. Osborne has been recovering from her 2008 ankle and knee surgeries and doesn't feel quite at the top of her game yet, but is confident it will come back quickly. Other players of note are former UCLA midfielder and MAC Herman Trophy finalist Tina DiMartino, and Brazilian teammates Formiga, Adriane and Erika.

This WPS season is going to be full of top-flight soccer and I, for one, am ready for it to get started!