Meet the Teams of the 2016 Inaugural Season
UWS is a national women’s soccer league sanctioned by U.S. Soccer through the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA). UWS is a professionally operated league created for teams that meet high minimum standards. The season runs from May until the end of July, culminating in a National Championship match. The UWS player pool is comprised of college players, aspiring & former professionals and international stars.
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Soccer News: United Women’s Soccer (UWS) announced the first group of women’s soccer teams who will compete in its inaugural season in Spring 2016. League spots are designated to organizations who meet predetermined criteria relevant to developmentally-appropriate standards of facilities and infrastructure. All six of these UWS teams included in this release are long-standing successful clubs (note: Canadian-based Laval Comets & Quebec Dynamo are still subject to approval by the Canada and U.S. Federations).
LANCASTER INFERNO
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Founded in 2008 and based in eastern Pennsylvania, the Lancaster Inferno had been part of the WPSL. The team made the WPSL East Conference Semifinals in 2008 and the East Final the following year. In 2010, Lancaster was eliminated in the Second Round of the East Playoffs and also qualified for the playoffs in 2013. The Inferno were invited to be part of the East Coast’s Power 5 conference in 2015. Notable alumni include Tesa McKibben and Teresa Rynier, who have both played professionally overseas while Rynier was selected by the Philadelphia Independence in the 2011 Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) Draft.
“The goal is to establish a high caliber, self-sustaining women’s soccer team in the Lancaster area by partnering with local businesses, soccer clubs, and soccer supporters,” said Inferno Team President Francisco Cleaves. “We seek to provide high caliber local talent the opportunity to participate in a highly competitive league during the summer. We believe that the UWS format supports our goal.”
LONG ISLAND ROUGH RIDERS
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The Long Island Rough Riders have been part of the Long Island soccer scene since their inception in 1994 and have a long history of success. In 1995, the Rough Riders won their first-ever National Championship (alongside the men’s team) while following that achievement up with another W-League title in 1997. The team qualified for the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2005 & 2006 seasons while making it to the East Final in 2008. The club boasts alumni such as former USWNT legends Kim Wyant & Sarah Whalen and current National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) stars Crystal Dunn & Kim DeCesare.
“The Long Island Lady Riders are excited to begin its 22nd season in a league that will be providing professional standards and an elite level of women’s soccer,” said Long Island President Peter Zaratin. “This group is united in its vision for women’s soccer.”
NEW ENGLAND MUTINY
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The New England Mutiny formed in 1999, originally as the Springfield Sirens. The Sirens won the 2000 W-2 Championship before moving up to W-1, alongside the Rough Riders. The team re-branded in 2003 and became the founding member of the WPSL East Conference. The Mutiny won seven East titles and made two National Championship appearances. Two crowning moments in the team’s history are: in 2004, the US Federation selected the Mutiny to play China in an exhibition that the “Steel Roses” won late by a 4-3 score; and in 2012, the Mutiny were the first minor league team in U.S. Soccer history to defeat a professional side when they beat the Boston Breakers by a 2-1 score.
“The New England Mutiny has always strived to promote the women’s game at the highest level both on and off the field,” said Mutiny Team Owner Joe Ferrara. “To join a league with other organizations that have such a long history and strong reputation for success is truly exciting. Players and fans will enjoy the level of professionalism that the UWS will bring.”
NEW JERSEY COPA F.C.
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Since its inception in 2005, the developmental academy of New Jersey Copa F.C. (F.C. Copa Academy in Metuchen, NJ) has placed over 250 players into 111 college programs (DI, II & III). Three players have been selected to their respective national teams including Phoenetia Browne, who represented St. Kitts & Nevis in the 2015 World Cup Qualifiers. Additionally, two players attended the U17 U.S. National Team residency program and two players made the jump to the pros. In 2012, the U17G F.C. Copa Academy Real team captured the organization’s first National Title. In 2015, FC Copa served as the official reserve team of Sky Blue F.C. of NWSL. Six reserves were called up for a friendly match vs. South Korea in preparation for the 2015 Women’s World Cup.
“New Jersey Copa F.C. is very proud to be part of a fantastic group of team owners who truly believe in the best interest of progressing women’s soccer, as we do,” said New Jersey Copa F.C. President Roberto Aguas. “We have devoted the last decade to developing the youth game and have waited patiently for the ideal environment and organization to venture into the women’s game. We are confident we have found that with UWS, and our strong commitment can be seen in our actions by becoming a founding member of the league.”
NEW YORK MAGIC
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The New York Magic are another long-standing organization who have been in operation since 1997. The Magic battled it out in the W-2 League with the Springfield Sirens (now Mutiny), and finished in Third Place nationally in the 1998 & 1999 seasons. The team made the jump up to W-1 in the 2001 season and qualified for the East Conference Semifinals in 2002. Referred to as the “United Nations of Soccer”, notable alumni include Laura Basset (England), Serina Kashimoto & Kanae Hanieshi (Japan) and U.S. based stars Nikki Krysik & Jennifer Benson. Club founder and Team President Lyndelle Phillips has been inducted into both the USL W-League and the ENYSA Hall of Fame.
“The New York Magic is excited to work with a group of team owners who share the same commitment and dedication to women’s soccer,” said Magic Team President Lyndelle Phillips. “I think one of the key components of the UWS is that we are team owners who will share input and help to shape the direction and destiny of the league.”
TSF ACADEMY
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The TSF Academy Valkyries have been in operation since 2009 and were also a member of the now-defunct USL W-League. The Valkyries played its first competitive game in Spring 2010, beating Montclair State University in a pre-season friendly. Continued growth in the program has seen the Valkyries attract former and current D1 College players, including former University of Connecticut star and current Valkyries forward Danielle Schulmann who has attracted the interest of NWSL clubs, making the preseason roster for Portland Thorns F.C. this past season.
“We are excited to be part of the UWS, as we feel it is important for this country to have a strong league for current and future women soccer stars,” said General Manager Mark White. “We are looking forward to playing in this highly competitive league, and offer fans an opportunity to watch high-level games in our local community.”
Source: United Women’s Soccer
