Washington Freedom SC to play in W-League
Offspring of Former WUSA team to play as Associate Member in 2006
USL News Release
Thursday, January 19, 2006
PHILADELPHIA, PA – United Soccer Leagues announced Thursday at the NSCAA Convention that the Washington Freedom Soccer Club, which evolved from the Women’s United Soccer Association’s Washington Freedom will participate in the 2006 W-League season as an Associate Member of the league. 
“We are excited about this announcement,” said USL Vice President Tim Holt. “The Freedom SC staff and players were leaders in the WUSA and we hope that their participation as an associate member of the W-League this upcoming season will lead to full membership in the future.”
The Freedom SC will play a 14-game W-League schedule, seven home and seven away, against eight W-League teams. As an associate member of the league, the matches will not count toward the standings and the Freedom SC will not be eligible for the postseason.
“As part of our mission to develop players and coaches through our unique club concept and entertain our loyal fans, playing in the W-League is an ideal addition for our organization at this time,” said Washington Freedom Head Coach and Director Jim Gabarra. “As the top women’s league in North America, the W-League will provide high-quality opposition for our fans to enjoy this summer.”
With the coaches and many of its players intact from the 2003 WUSA champion team, the Freedom SC has developed a comprehensive club that offers a wide range of programs and services to the female player and fans of women’s soccer. In anticipation that women’s professional soccer will return when the WUSA re-launches in the future, the Freedom SC has continued to play an exhibition schedule since the WUSA ceased operations in the fall of 2003, facing the New Jersey Wildcats, Hampton Roads Piranhas, Northern Virginia Majestics and Vancouver Whitecaps over the past two years. Once the WUSA returns, the Freedom intends to be part of the re-launch and still field a Reserve Team in the W-League, giving more women the opportunity to play all the way to the professional ranks.
In 2006, the Freedom will face the New York Magic, Northern Virginia Majestics, South Jersey Banshees, 2005 finalist Ottawa Fury, two-time champion Long Island Lady Riders, 2003 champion Hampton Roads Piranhas and current defending champion New Jersey Wildcats.
The Washington Freedom SC schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.
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