Los Angeles Sol unveils Marta Bobblehead

CARSON, CALIF. – Wednesday, May 13, 2009 – The Los Angeles Sol (Women’s Professional Soccer) today unveiled a bobblehead doll depicting Sol forward and Three-time FIFA Player of the Year, Marta.

“The Marta bobblehead is sure to quickly become a collectors’ item,” said Los Angeles Sol General Manager Charlie Naimo. “It is not only the first-ever bobblehead in WPS, but also is the first time Marta has been depicted in this fashion.”

The unique, limited-edition bobblehead will only be available to fans who purchase the Sol’s Marta Bobblehead Ticket Package, which includes one ticket to both the Sunday, June 7  home match and the Saturday, June 27 game versus the Chicago Red Stars.  Packages begin at just $29.99.

“I am honored to be chosen for the first bobblehead in WPS history,” Marta said.

The Los Angeles Sol play Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY) this Friday, May 15 at 7:30 pm at The Home Depot Center.  For more information or to purchase Los Angeles Sol tickets today, please call toll free at 1-877-4-SOL-TIX (467-5849) or visit www.LosAngelesSol.com.

Arsenal coach to lead Chicago’s women’s pro soccer team

May 15, 2008 – Having led her teams to a several European titles, Arsenal Ladies coach Emma Hayes will bring her expertise to Chicago as the inaugural head coach and director of soccer operations for Chicago Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS).

Chicago general manager Marcia McDermott announced the hire today at Toyota Park, where the franchise will play when the WPS season begins in April 2009.

“Emma has succeeded at every level she has coached,” McDermott said. “We feel she has the right experience, the passion and the knowledge to be a great leader for our club. She is prepared to take on the challenge of building a professional team from the onset.”

Hayes, 31, said it took a special opportunity to lure her away from Arsenal.

“This will be the best league in the world, with the greatest players, the best facilities and the biggest challenge,” Hayes said. “All of that will make this the league the rest of the world will watch.”

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Sawyers to head NJ women’s soccer team

March 04, 2008 – Ian Sawyers, who guided the CyberRays to the inaugural Women’s United Soccer Association championship in 2001, has been named coach and general manager of the New Jersey team that will play in the new women’s professional league next year.

“I always wanted to get back into the professional game if I had the opportunity,” said Sawyers, who is married to former U.S. women’s national team captain and Hall of Famer Julie Foudy. “I was offered a second chance at something I really believe in. It’s a great opportunity and I hope we can make it work.”

Sawyers and Foudy, along with their daughter, 1-year-old Isabel, will relocate to New Jersey from California…

 Read full Star-Ledger article 

In other news, Foudy is going to serve as a consultant of the New York-New Jersey franchise when the Women’s Professional Soccer league debuts next year. Asked if Sawyer might be able to lure her out of retirement, Foudy said she loves being a mom and her role will be more ambassadorial.

NBA star Steve Nash on board for Women’s Professional Soccer

Feb. 11, 2008 – The Women’s Professional Soccer League – has a new brand identity along with a new, high profile investor. NBA All-Star Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns is using the same prescience he is known for on the court to visualize the success of the Women’s Professional Soccer league.  He won’t own a share of any one team, instead his money will help finance ongoing development of the league.

Soccer is in Nash’s blood. His father, John, played professionally in South Africa, and his sister, Joann, was the captain of the University of Victoria soccer team. His brother, Martin, plays professionally for the USL First Division’s Vancouver Whitecaps. Before Nash became a two-time NBA MVP, he won the British Columbia soccer MVP award while in high school. His college days were spent at longtime women’s soccer powerhouse Santa Clara.  As the father of 3-year-old twin girls, Nash wants to help the growth of women’s soccer in his adopted country.