US women's soccer league cancelled

[Metatron]

It should have been a triumphant day for women's soccer in North America – both Canada and the US had secured qualification for London 2012 by virtue of advancing to Sunday's final of the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament.

But less than 24 hours after the US women's national team defeated Canada 4-0 to win the tournament, the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) announced plans to cancel the 2012 season. Two WPS players, Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan, played a starring role in USA's win, scoring two goals apiece.

Most, if not all, of the vitriol will be hurled in the direction of Dan Borislow, who owned and operated the magicJack franchise in WPS during the 2011 season.

The controversial owner, who made a tidy fortune with his magicJack internet phone system, has been involved in a legal battle with the league's owners since they voted to terminate his franchise at the conclusion of the 2011 season. The WPS announcement specifically stated that the league is "suspending the 2012 season in order to address the legal issues head-on before moving forward with competition".

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2012/jan/31/uswnt-wps-2012-season-cancelled

This isn't unexpected, but I was really hoping they would find a way to save the season.

[MrCoffee]

1. From what I gather, Borislow is fine with destroying WPS in order to save it

There is no middle ground on opinion of this guy, from what I can tell.

[mariematt]

2. Quite upset..

I'm not big follower of women's soccer but still i was expecting to see this but its canceled now. Thus i am quite upset about it

[DaveBrett]

3. Don't Blame Borislow

The league would have gone out of business at the end of the
second season if Borislow hadn't stepped in and offered to buy
the Washington franchise. The league was doomed with or
without Borislow.

[DaveBrett]

4. Semi-Pro Is A Workable Model for Women's Soccer

I support women's soccer, but I am convinced that a semi-
professional league is the most viable formula for success.
The players need to have part time jobs during the week.
The quality of play won't suffer. Fans will enjoy it, and the
players will accept it. The alternative is no league at all.

[regnaD kciN]

5. It sounds like there's going to be a new professional league by next season...

Hopefully, this one won't be so East Coast-centered; considering that the strength of interest in men's professional soccer is to the west, I would think women's teams would do well there, too.