TAMPA, FLORIDA - USL's W-League opens the 2009 campaign with what could be labeled “Champions Weekend,” as four of the five Opening Weekend matches feature past winners of league championships. It all kicks off Friday night when the Charlotte Lady Eagles host the Hampton Roads Piranhas in a clash of two former champions.

 

Charlotte was the first of the two to claim a league title, winning the 2001 W-2 championship in the second of three consecutive appearances in a final. Two years later, Hampton Roads posted a perfect season en route to the 2003 W-League crown.

 

The weekend continues Saturday, May 9 with the 2005 champion New Jersey Wildcats running against the Long Island Rough Riders. Later that day, the 2007 winners, Washington Freedom will visit 2001-2002 champions Boston Renegades in a showdown of two sides that are also affiliated with Women’s Professional Soccer sides. The night concludes with the Pali Blues opening up their 2008 USL W-League title defense at home against the Los Angeles Legends.

 

The lone match without a champion, Western Mass Lady Pioneers at New York, is not devoid of championship flirtation. The Magic nearly won the league title twice, settling for Third Place in W-2 in 1998 and 1999.

 

 

Hampton Roads Piranhas at Charlotte Lady Eagles  - 5:30 PM

Saturday May 9, 2009

Western Mass Lady Pioneers at New York Magic – 4:00 PM

New Jersey Wildcats at Long Island Rough Riders – 5:00 PM

Washington Freedom at Boston Renegades – 7:30 PM

Los Angeles Legends at Pali Blues – 9:00 PM

**All times Eastern