Re: New Women's Pro League!

by Geezaldinho Wed Nov 21, 2012 11:15 am

The Portland Timbers are accepting $25 refundable season ticket deposits for the new women's pro soccer team immediately. To save your spot for the new season, call the Ticket Sales Office at (503) 553-5555.

NOTE: Current Timbers season ticket holders and Wait List members need not place an additional investment at this time.

by UPSoccerFanatic Wed Nov 21, 2012 11:31 am

PurpleGeezer wrote:
The Portland Timbers are accepting $25 refundable season ticket deposits for the new women's pro soccer team immediately. To save your spot for the new season, call the Ticket Sales Office at (503) 553-5555.

NOTE: Current Timbers season ticket holders and Wait List members need not place an additional investment at this time.

Just put down a deposit for four season tickets. They're getting a lot of calls.

by keeper Wed Nov 21, 2012 1:26 pm

It's funny. I watched a few of the WPS games when the league existed and never had the sense that the atmosphere was anywhere near as exciting as watching a Pilot game at Merlo. Maybe it was the size of the stadium vs. the # of attendees.

Not saying I won't take in a game or two. But I hope they can deliver a high quality and exciting product that gets fans to attend.

by **DaTruRochin** Wed Nov 21, 2012 1:32 pm

keeper wrote:Maybe it was the size of the stadium vs. the # of attendees.

This is 90% of the problem... From experience going to a Revolition/Timbers game in Foxboro earlier this year, hahaha 12K people do not make for much atmosphere in a 65K seat stadium, no matter how raucous those 12K might be.

by Geezaldinho Wed Nov 21, 2012 1:33 pm

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20121121/SPORTS/311210043/Western-New-York-Flash-women-s-professional-soccer-USSF?gcheck=1

The article fleshes out some details.

The season will start in March or April, according to U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati. U.S. soccer front office will run the league and will pay the salaries of approximately 24 national team players, or on average three per team. “We’re trying to create an economic model that’s sustainable,” Gulati said.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Different than each of those attempts, the USSF has a financial stake and is backing the new league. The Canadian and Mexican soccer federations and their players also will play a role in the new league, which hasn’t been named yet.

Has there ever been a league supported by three federations before?

by Guest Wed Nov 21, 2012 1:56 pm

An article on the Timbers' website mentions the fact that the teams need to start playing in smaller stadiums. Perhaps Merlo will be the place. The only other venue I could think of, that I instantly ruled out for obvious reasons, is Hillsboro Stadium. Wouldn't that provide a bit of a funding and exposure boost to us if the women's pro league was playing on our field?

by **DaTruRochin** Wed Nov 21, 2012 2:08 pm

PurpleGeezer wrote:
Has there ever been a league supported by three federations before?

Do bribes count?

by Geezaldinho Wed Nov 21, 2012 2:13 pm

DaTruRochin wrote:
PurpleGeezer wrote:
Has there ever been a league supported by three federations before?

Do bribes count?

Umm... That would be federations supported by leagues...

by DoubleDipper Wed Nov 21, 2012 2:34 pm

You know, when Abby moved to Portland, then Megan moved to Portland....I just had a feeling they knew something we didn't (yet).

I like the idea of "territorial picks".......has anyone seen Christine lately?

by UPSoccerFanatic Wed Nov 21, 2012 2:56 pm

RipCityPilot wrote:An article on the Timbers' website mentions the fact that the teams need to start playing in smaller stadiums. Perhaps Merlo will be the place. The only other venue I could think of, that I instantly ruled out for obvious reasons, is Hillsboro Stadium. Wouldn't that provide a bit of a funding and exposure boost to us if the women's pro league was playing on our field?

Why rule out Hillsboro?

by Geezaldinho Wed Nov 21, 2012 5:26 pm

I like this quote from Sunil's press conference:

On Portland and Seattle having a team:
“What made Portland interesting is the Timbers have an extraordinary fan base. The city has been a huge supporter of the game. The investor group led by the Paulson family is about as a good as you can get. The University of Portland’s program, a number of their star players have played in Portland. It’s a terrific market with a great track record for the sport. There will be a team from Seattle in this league next year.”

by Stonehouse Wed Nov 21, 2012 5:36 pm

Merlo Field is a natural fit for many reasons, but there could be some scheduling issues with UP spring games/training and with summer camps. Not to the limitations to how many games can be hosted at Merlo with lights due to agreements with the City and neighborhood association.

I'm sure everyone at UP will do their best to accomodate the new league, but there is stuff that would need to be worked out.

Hillsboro Stadium actually isn't a terrible option. I get the feeling like this league will attrat a lot more families and kids, so a suburban location isn't all that bad really.

by A_Fan Wed Nov 21, 2012 6:50 pm

I emailed the Timbers this afternoon with a couple of questions. They responded pretty quickly. They don't know what the season ticket prices will be. They also said the $25 deposit is totally refundable if you decide not to buy tickets.

by LadySoccerLover Fri Nov 23, 2012 12:25 pm

Does anyone have any guesses or preferences on what the team will be named?

by UPSoccerFanatic Fri Nov 23, 2012 12:30 pm

LadySoccerLover wrote:Does anyone have any guesses or preferences on what the team will be named?

Welcome to Pilot Nation!

I've heard the possibilities Portland Rain and Portland Reign, which have historical context. I've also heard Rose City (FC or United) and have suggested Portlandia Rose City FC.

by LadySoccerLover Fri Nov 23, 2012 1:01 pm

Thank you for the welcome!

After seeing the current Portland Rain play, I have to say that name has less than positive connotations in my mind, so I hope that is not the final choice. But I do like the idea of Rose City United. I also just like the idea of brainstorming options, even though no one who will be making that decision has asked me for my opinion. And I hope if they are going to try and play off the current popularity of Portlandia, they are more subtle instead and go with a name like Swifts FC, so the logo can hint at the catchphrase 'put a bird on it'.

In other thoughts, while I would LOVE to see Christine Sinclair be on the Portland team, I read an article that made me think it is probably not likely we would get both Wambach and Sinclair in their salaries are that demanding. As far as I know she still lives in Vancouver, BC, which is not far, but Seattle would be closer for her...

"There is also the question of player salaries. While the high priced players like Hope Solo, Abby Wambach, and Christine Sinclair are taken care of, the middle players in the league may be forced to make less than they were previous." -from: Soccer 365's New Women's League Starts On Steady Footing (I'm not allowed to post the link because I am new to this forum)

by DoubleDipper Fri Nov 23, 2012 1:14 pm

LadySoccerLover wrote:Thank you for the welcome!

"There is also the question of player salaries. While the high priced players like Hope Solo, Abby Wambach, and Christine Sinclair are taken care of, the middle players in the league may be forced to make less than they were previous." -from: Soccer 365's New Women's League Starts On Steady Footing (I'm not allowed to post the link because I am new to this forum)

Welcome, LSL; here you go:
http://www.soccer365.com/news/features/the_homegrown_player/28337/new_women_s_league_starts_on_steady_footing

by VillaGorilla Fri Nov 23, 2012 2:08 pm

LadySoccerLover wrote:Does anyone have any guesses or preferences on what the team will be named?

I'm personally averse to anything that smacks of the Euro-poseur haughtiness that is prevalent from local clubs up to MLS, e.g. "United", "FC", "Real", "Sporting", etc. North American sports teams should be the city/state/province followed by the team name/mascot, such as Colorado Rapids or Hartford Whalers. Bonus points for local tie-ins that aren't scary animals and don't have to do with natural disasters or the subjugation of indigenous peoples. IMHO.

by UPSoccerFanatic Fri Nov 23, 2012 2:18 pm

VillaGorilla wrote:
LadySoccerLover wrote:Does anyone have any guesses or preferences on what the team will be named?

I'm personally averse to anything that smacks of the Euro-poseur haughtiness that is prevalent from local clubs up to MLS, e.g. "United", "FC", "Real", "Sporting", etc. North American sports teams should be the city/state/province followed by the team name/mascot, such as Colorado Rapids or Hartford Whalers. Bonus points for local tie-ins that aren't scary animals and don't have to do with natural disasters or the subjugation of indigenous peoples. IMHO.

"Euro-poseur haughtiness"? I guess Clive and crew shouldn't have named their club FC Portland?

Of course, there are the Green Bay Packers. How about the Portland Baristas? Or, the Willamette Valley Grapes? Or, the Oregon Filberts? affraid

by A_Fan Fri Nov 23, 2012 3:23 pm

Portland Timberettes?

by LadySoccerLover Fri Nov 23, 2012 4:53 pm

Hmmm, I think Rose City United, if it harkens to European club soccer adds more classic/historic-ness to the name instead of haughtiness, but then I like names that would draw on past ideas to add a venerated air. But, drawing on Portland, Oregon themes as well, to keep it local.

I think I read somewhere that the team can't be Timbers, or a derivative of, because of some MLS copyright situation...but now I can't find where I saw that...

What about:
Swifts? (after the Chapman swifts, and swiftness being an asset in soccer)
Dunaway Dynamo? (after Abigail Scott Dunaway)
Clive Legacy? (because that would be cool)
Kalapuya? (because it sounds cool and is a historic name of the region)
Cascades?

It would be cool to have a name that honored Milbrett and/or MacMillan for their contributions to women's soccer in our region too...

But then, if it does become Rose City, we can still easily use the chant "No Pity in the Rose City."

by PurplePrideTrumpet Fri Nov 23, 2012 5:08 pm

LadySoccerLover wrote:
I think I read somewhere that the team can't be Timbers, or a derivative of, because of some MLS copyright situation...but now I can't find where I saw that...

If Nike sponsors the league adidas won't allow it. It's too bad this kind of thing comes into play but it's MLS' biggest sponsor and Nike's biggest rival. Of course if Nike is committed to supporting women's football it's a trade I would take.

by Geezaldinho Sat Nov 24, 2012 12:55 am

Apparently Seattle is going for the Sirens.

http://goalwa.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/the-wash-anger-confusion-after-us-soccer-denies-sounders-women/

Fans not happy.

Fortunately, River Goddesses and Rosebuds are still available.

by Geezaldinho Sat Nov 24, 2012 1:34 am

LadySoccerLover wrote:

But then, if it does become Rose City, we can still easily use the chant "No Pity in the Rose City."

If it becomes the Stumptown Hookers we could still chant that.

We chant it for a team called the Timbers.

by A_Fan Sat Nov 24, 2012 8:39 am

Lumberjills?