STINKING ONIONS ELIMINATED!!!

i guess it had to happen sooner or later....Chicago Stinking Onions, the underdog favorite of many, was eliminated from the Chicago Women’s Professional Soccer Name the Team Sweepstakes today. i would've preferred if it happened later. At first most people were either aghast or amused by the name. When it became apparent that it wasn't going to get enough support to mount a serious case, people became more comfortable with the quirky name and assumed it didn't have a real chance.

i wanted to keep it in the race awhile longer, because the longer it stayed in, the more people either found it humorous or became uncomfortable with the prospect of a professional sports team having a smelly nickname. The discomfort concept reminded me of Andy Kaufman's sense of humor. Andy was a genius.

There was movement at the top of the table where the Chicago Red Stars overtook Chicago 1871 to recapture first place in the advisory poll.

Cumulative voting through 3/31:

Red Stars…..2344…..22.6%
1871…………….2145….20.7%
Wind……………1605…..15.5%
Riot…………….1565…..15.1%
Blues……………1129…..10.9%
Union…………….960…….9.3%

Stinking Onions…....611……5.9% - Eliminated March 31st
Massacre.............526 - Eliminated March 24th
Towers..............183 - Eliminated March 17th
Progress............109 - Eliminated March 10th


Weekly vote: 3/24-31:

Red Stars………..399…..31.6%
Riot…………...….226…..17.9%
1871……………....188…..14.9%
Wind……………....172….13.6%
Blues……………....128….10.2%
Stinking Onions….78……6.2%
Union……...….….…70……5.6%


The Chicago Wind’s lead over the Riot shrunk to a mere .4 of a percentage point in the battle to be listed in a group of three over the final three weeks of balloting. The group of three is determined April 28th and voting on the three will continue through May 16th. The team will eliminate one name each of the next three Mondays. Chicago Union and Chicago Blues are separated by only 1.6% in the battle to stave off elimination another week and make it to the final five.

You can vote on line at www.chicagoprowomenssoccer.com through May 16th.

Moonlighting

i hope this blog won't get jealous, but i've started a relationship with another soccer news service - Section8Chicago.com's Backdraft News and Views. The leaders of Section 8 asked me to contribute occassionally with news oriented articles and my first attempt is here.

The concept is a good one and if handled properly, will provide unique perspectives of the Fire and MLS. While i think my own "former insider" perspective will be of interest, i think the supporters themselves are in a position to provide thoughts and news that can not be reported elsewhere. The minimal journalistic background of most of their reporters will provide certain challenges and obstacles including concerns of professionalism, but i think most of the new reporters will be sensitive to that and the tradeoff for the occasional journalistic misstep will be news filtered only by an independent, concerned view of the team and League. i look forward to following the 2008 MLS season as translated by witnesses from a brand new angle.

Sit Down and Shut Up or Stand and Deliver - your choice.

Today is the first anniversary of the epic Section 8 creed, Stand and Deliver, written by Fire supporter Brandon Kitchens to inspire Fire fans and players. Brandon supported the Fire since he was 14 years old. He also supported the United States with four tours of duty overseas as an Air Force intelligence officer. He lost his life last summer at the age of 23. Not on a battle field in the Middle East, but on a soccer field in Chicago playing the sport he loved. Brandon was President of Fire supporters group Whiskey Brothers Aught Five. i was honored by Brandon and WB05 at the 2006 Section 8 AGM and again last July by serving as a pall bearer. i miss him greatly. His message of Fire support and spirit of living life to its fullest must live on. The beginning of the Fire’s season is the time for Brandon’s message to be trumpeted.

Here is Stand and Deliver in its entirety . If you are a Fire supporter, i encourage you to read it and digest it. Even if you’re not a fan of the Fire, reading it will give you more appreciation for anything in your life that you are passionate about.

The last paragraph of Stand and Deliver was written for the team. If you are a Fire player or coach, please read and follow Brandon’s passionate plea:

“We will be strong for you every game, no matter our numbers, all we ask is you do the same, it is your PRIVILEGE to wear the colors as it is ours, it is our HONOR to stand behind you, as it should be yours to play for us. If you leave it all out on the field every game nothing can stop us, no matter who we play make 11 into 1, make us proud, and let Chicago be known for all time.”

I had planned to pay tribute to Brandon yesterday at the FireWorks For Kids Foundation’s Season Kickoff Luncheon. The Fire turned down my request saying the timing wasn’t right.

Instead, I will use this forum to do what Brandon would do – get in your face and scream:

"DON'T SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP, STAND AND DELIVER!"

Massacred

The Stinking Onions staged a huge comeback this week to climb a mere seven points above the Massacre and stave off elimination for another week in the Chicago WPS Name the Team Sweepstakes. The Massacre is the third name eliminated in the Sweepstakes that continues through May 16th.

The name was originally conceived as an honor to Fort Dearborn and the first red star on the city of Chicago municipal flag. The idea of naming a team after an event in the War of 1812 that saw the ambushed slaughter of 50 US Soldiers, women and children never caught on for some reason. The ambush by the Potawatomi Indians occurred while 148 US Soldiers, women and children were abandoning the U.S. fort at the mouth of the Chicago River across from what is now the Wrigley Building. The group believed they had negotiated safe passage and were marching to Fort Wayne, Indiana when they were attacked (interestingly) at what is now the home of the United States Soccer Federation (18th and Prairie).

The added second reference to the (warning: gratuitous, yet historic, violent link ahead) St. Valentine's Day Massacre mob hit perpetrated by Al Capone's south side mob against Bugsy Malone's north side group wasn't an eye catching connection either.

The big mover of the week was 1871 who surged into the lead just 12 points ahead of Chicago Red Stars. On the other end, the other Potawatomi connected name besides Massacre, Stinking Onions, will need another big week to stay alive. The English translation for the Potawatomi "Checagou" trails the Chicago Union by 3 1/2%.

The Chicago Wind leads the Riot by one slim percentage point in the battle to be listed in a group of three over the final three weeks of this advisory vote from April 28th through May 16th.

Cumulative voting through 3/24

1871……………....1957…..20.3%
Red Stars………..1945…..20.2%
Wind……………....1433…..14.9%
Riot…………….....1339…..13.9%
Blues……………....1001…..10.4%
Union…………….....890…….9.2%
Stinking Onions….533….…5.54%

Massacre…………...526…….5.47% Eliminated March 24
Towers Eliminated March 17
Progress Eliminated March 10

Weekly vote: 3/17-24:

1871……………....1241…..33.4%
Red Stars………....766…..20.6%
Union…………….....484……13.0%
Riot…………….......461…..12.4%
Wind……………......298…..8.0%
Stinking Onions….234……6.3%
Blues…………….....176…..4.7%

Massacre………….....60……1.6% Eliminated March 24
Towers Eliminated March 17
Progress Eliminated March 10

Carnak, the Magnificent

Minnesota Thunder Head Coach Amos Magee, Thunder President Manuel Lagos and i started an MLS prediction pool** last season and are bringing it back this year. For the record, i managed to top both of the former Thunder and Chicago Fire players in the pool's inaugural season last year.

Making preseason sports predictions are generally safe, because usually, if you're wrong seven months later, nobody remembers and nobody brings it up. If you're right, you have the ability to remind everyone of your prognosticating power and pose as a genius. Not this time, though. i promise to dredge this post up in November, for better or worse.

With that in mind, here are my preseason MLS picks for all the major (and several minor) predictions (You may notice a bit of Windy City bias in my picks ;)).

Golden Boot.......................Luciano Emilio
Rookie of the Year................Brek Shea
Defender of the Year..............Wilman Conde
Goalkeeper of the Year............Joe Cannon
Newcomer of the Year..............Marcello Gallardo
MVP...............................Marcello Gallardo
Coach of the Year.................Denis Hamlett
Western Conf Champ (reg. season)..Houston
Eastern Conf Champ (reg. season)..DC
MLS Cup Champ.....................Chicago
Supporters Shield.................DC
US Open Cup Winner................Chicago
First Coach Fired.................Ruud Gullit
Western Conf. 1st Place...........Houston*
Western Conf. 2nd Place...........Chivas*
Western Conf. 3rd Place...........Dallas*
Western Conf. 4th Place...........San Jose*
Western Conf. 5th Place...........Colorado*
Western Conf. 6th Place...........RSL*
Western Conf. 7th Place...........LA*
Eastern Conference 1st Place......DC*
Eastern Conference 2nd Place......Chicago*
Eastern Conference 3rd Place......KC*
Eastern Conference 4th Place......NE*
Eastern Conference 5th Place......NY*
Eastern Conference 6th Place......Columbus*
Eastern Conference 7th Place......Toronto*
All-Star Winner (West Ham or MLS).MLS

* Each category is worth one point except the Western and Eastern Conference 1st through 7th place predictions, which are cumulatively worth one point. For that category, we lose one point (in terms of calculating that one category, not overall) for each place we are off for each team, i.e. if Chicago finishes 4th, I lose two points in the calculation of that single category which overall is only worth one point.

If you would like to post your own predictions in these categories in the comments, i will revisit the predictions in November and compare your Nostradamusness versus mine.

** For entertainment purposes only.

One More Team Name Eliminated

Not too much suspense or surprise in this week’s eliminated name in Chicago WPS’ Name the Team Sweepstakes. We’ve reduced the field to eight by taking out Chicago Towers, which maintained its last place standing since Progress was eliminated March 10th. The name was in honor of Chicago’s famous skyscrapers including the nation’s tallest building, the Sears Tower.

Towers suffered a bit from political incorrectness. The same concern that prevented me from headlining this post “Towers Fall” or “Towers Dropped” was brought up as a concern by most people who even bothered to comment on the name. The fear, of course, is that the name could lead to insensitive references to New York City’s destroyed World Trade Center twin towers in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. As an aside, the 9/11 attacks are occasionally brought up as a reason WUSA failed. The argument is that first year sponsor renewals and second year new sponsorships were shelved by companies fearful of a major economic downturn after the attacks. 9/11 may have contributed to WUSA’s economic struggles, but i personally feel the overspending, lack of ownership engagement and de minimus outreach were the real culprits.

The Wind, Blues, 1871 and Riot all made gains on the first place Red Stars who continue to maintain the lead in the popular vote of this advisory referendum. We’ll eliminate one name each of the next five Mondays and the votes will be used to influence, but not make the decision for the name of the team.

Chicago Red Stars numerical lead shrunk from 170 to 44 points and its percentage lead dropped from 3.4% to 0.8%. Riot, Blues and 1871 remain in double digit percentages followed by Massacre and Union. Stinking Onions, the English translation for the Potawatomi "Checagou" now holds on to the last of eight remaining names in the popular votes. Come on Stinking Onions fans. NOW is the time your support is needed. Vote early, vote often! It’s the Chicago way!

With balloting in the third of the eight stages, fans are welcome to vote again here. The Sweepstakes continue through May 16th. One lucky winner will be chosen at random to receive more than $2,500 in cash and prizes including inaugural season tickets and suite tickets to our first game at Toyota Park. Ten runners up will receive two tickets to our inaugural home game.

Below are the current and last week standings that include votes from paper ballots distributed at more than 100 locations in the area including all 44 AthletiCo Rehabilitation, Fitness and Performance Centers and many area indoor soccer facilities and soccer retail stores. Comment below if you have a high traffic area that would be good to display the counter card/ballot box with tear off ballots/sweepstakes entry blanks and we’ll mail or drop off a box. Fans who voted for Progress and Towers before, may want to vote again and choose a replacement for their selections from the remaining options:

Cumulative Voting:

Red Stars...........1179..........19.6%
Wind................1135..........18.8%
Riot.................864..........14.3%
Blues................811..........13.5%
1871.................696..........11.6%
Massacre.............460...........7.6%
Union................406...........6.7%
Stinking Onions......291...........4.8%
Towers...............183...........3.0% (Eliminated March 17)
Progress (Eliminated March 10)

Week of 3/10 - 3/17

Wind................246..........23.1%
Blues...............185..........17.4%
1871................157..........14.8%
Riot................155..........14.6%
Red Stars...........120..........11.3%
Union................67...........6.3%
Stinking Onions......51...........4.8%
Massacre.............48...........4.5%
Towers...............34...........3.2% (Eliminated March 17)
Progress (Elimintaed March 10)

In order to brand the team with a connection to the City of Chicago, we nominated ten names that have direct historical connections to Chicago. The eight remaining nominated names and their historical connection to Chicago are here.

Like “Towers” a few of the eight remaining names could also be perceived as being politically incorrect or at least politically charged. In fact, I’ve received criticisms of every name and comments criticizing eight of the original ten suggestions due to some people feeling that the names are offensive, insensitive or politically incorrect in some fashion. Care to guess which names have been causes for complaints? Any guesses which two have escaped the pc complaints (so far)? Feel free to comment below.

Comparisons Between the Men's and Women's Game

After yesterday's post about the Mexico Women's National Team vs. University of Illinois game, Flynn asked the following question:

When you go to games like last night's, do you see them as (a) a scouting opportunity, (b) a chance to assess how women's soccer events are currently set-up/hosted in Chicago, or (c) just a fun time to get out and see some soccer?

(or "d" all of the above?)

This is my answer: All of the above. It also helps me get a better idea of the style and pace of the women's game. i haven't watched nearly as much women's soccer as men's soccer, so it's really helpful to me to see as many games as possible. It's definitely a different game. The flow of the game, if not the pace, is faster with fewer breaks, because generally there are fewer fouls and the game is less physical. More respect is given and received to officials and opponents. In many women's games, the technical and tactical awareness is better than in many men's games. The men's game is faster paced and the goalkeeping is generally superior resulting in higher scoring games on the women's side. Check this out for several (14) interesting perspectives on the comparisons of the men's and women's games.

Hot Soccer!

The Chicago WPS staff - Marcia McDermott, Alyse LaHue and i - saw an action packed women's soccer game between the University of Illinois and the Mexico National Team at the beautiful Loyola Soccer Park. Here's the punch line: the match was last night!

Yes, we attended an outdoor soccer game on March 10th.....in Chicago.....on a Monday night....in early March...did i say it was in Chicago? Temps were in the 20s - yes, i know, i'm addicted.

With those conditions, i was expecting the match to be a private affair for family, friends, the Chicago WPS staff and the fifty kids we bought and donated tickets for...i also thought that i would be making my way to the exits by halftime.

Instead we saw a really entertaining game, with nearly 1,000 fans packing the bleachers and keeping warm with hot chocolate. The game even had boisterous cheering by supporters for their respective teams.

The Illini took an early lead on the finish of a nice flick-on header in the games first few minutes. The teams defied the cold with end to end action throughout the rest of the half. Despite only having a few weeks of "spring" training and playing without its outgoing seniors or incoming freshman, Coach Janet Rayfield's Fighting Illini looked sharp in the first half.

Mexico created several first half chances including a crafty move at the top of the box by their tiny (5'0") playmaker Evelyn Lopez. The little captain's work went for naught as the full chance was squandered by a teammate.

Both teams played a little tight and ragged in the second half. After Mexico nailed the cross bar with a long range attempt to tie the match, Chichi Nweke sealed the 2-0 win for the Illini with the late conversion from Jessica Levitt on a 2 on 1 break. The goal sent the Illini fans home frozen winners and the Mexico supporters home frozen.

Many thanks to Mark Boyle and the Chicago Gaels for bringing the game to Chicago. And thanks also to all the sponsors of the match including the Illinois Women's Soccer League, Illinois Youth Soccer, Loyola University, Nazareth Academy, Quattro Fratelli, Signature Specialty Sales & Marketing and Tasty Catering for making the game possible.

Down With Progress!

The first name eliminated in Chicago WPS' Name the Team Sweepstakes is "Chicago Progress". The name was in honor of Chicago's Century of Progress World's Fair in 1933. That World's Fair is represented on the City of Chicago's muncipal flag with a six-pointed red star. Progress' 109 points (2.2% of the total vote) was not enough to stave off elimination.

Chicago Red Stars continues to maintain the lead in the popular vote of this advisory referendum. We will eliminate one name each of the next six Mondays and the votes will be used to influence, but not make our decision for the name of the team.

Below are the current standings that for the first time include votes from the paper ballots distributed at the Illinois Women's Soccer League seeding meeting, Illinois Youth Soccer Expo and various locations in the area. In the next week, counter cards with paper ballots and ballot boxes will be distributed to more than 100 locations in Chicagoland including all 44 AthletiCo locations.

Red Stars increased its numerical lead from 150 to 170, but its percentage lead actually dropped from 6.0% to 3.4%. Riot, Blues and 1871 remain in double digit percentages and Massacre has overtaken Union. Stinking Onions, the English translation for the Potawatomi "Checagou" has staged a bit of a comeback and is in 8th place. "Chicago Towers" is now on the bubble.

Now that we're into the second of the eight voting stages, you're welcome to vote again....it's the Chicago Way :). Next week we will show both the cumulative and weekly tally. If you voted for Progress before,you may want to vote again and choose a replacement for your Progress selection from one of the remaining options:

Red Stars..........20.9% 1059

Wind...............17.5% 889

Riot...............14.0% 709

Blues..............12.3% 626

1871...............10.6% 539

Massacre............8.1% 412

Union...............6.7% 339

Stinking Onions.....4.7% 240

Towers..............2.9% 147

Progress............2.2% 109

Progress eliminated March 10, 2008.

Debut

i thought yesterday's Illinois Youth Soccer Expo was a huge success for Chicago WPS. In what was essentially a public debut to our largest audience, Chicago WPS presented a professional and welcoming front to thousands of Illinois youth soccer players, coaches, referees, administrators and vendors. The booth, Town Hall meeting, youth soccer clinic and player autograph signing all were well received and served as impressive platforms to tell the youth soccer community about the new professional women's League and Chicago's newest pro team.

In addition to Chicago GM Marcia McDermott, who put her heart and soul into getting ready for this event, many other people and groups were responsible for the success and must be thanked. Our appreciation starts with Illinois Youth Soccer’s leadership, Gus and Mary Jane Bender, Chris Jarmozy and Ian Mulliner, in particular were not only receptive to our presence at the event, but were proactive in finding ways for us to get our message out. The event, as usual, was professionally run and served all its constituencies well. It was great to see representatives from the local soccer world including the Fire's Donald Ortale, Mark Washo, Ryan Robins and Pat McNamara, IYSA's Salvador Arroyo and Tom Landi, IWSL's Flo and Charlie Dyson, ISSA's Judith McLean and Branko Ilic, Score's Mark Botterill and Don Robertson, Rory Dames from the Eclipse SC, John Moynihan from Keeper Goals, Alfonso Mitchell and Steve Scherrer who are each promoting summer soccer tournament, Chicago Soccer's Edgar Alvarez and Imre Hidvegi, Chicago Indoor Sports Centers Mike Widdell and Brian Goodman, Gaels Coach John Nikchevich, Jim Paglia, Debbie Pacchioni, Laslo Keresi and Hossein Kendy among others.

FC Indiana and the Chicago Gaels provided players for the Town Hall meeting and to staff the booth. Players included FC Indiana’s Kristin Luckenbill and Julieanne Sitch and the Gaels’ Jen Buczkowski, Kelly Sitkowski, Erin Walter and Kristin Eggert. The autograph line for National Soccer Hall of Famer Julie Foudy wrapped around the convention floor and Julie took the time to please every adoring fan. Moderated by USA Today columnist Christine Brennan, theTown Hall was a real hit. The panelists, Foudy, Luckenbill, Buczkowski, McDermott and me, all provided insight into the start up of the new team and League, interesting comparisons and contrasts between the WUSA and WPS and answered many questions that were on the minds of the 100+ people who filled the room and spilled out onto the Schaumburg Sports Center lobby. The hour long session featured lively dialogue with information, opinion and questions and answers from the moderator, panelists and audience. The Town Hall was video taped and we hope to have it posted at www.chicagoprowomenssoccer.com in the near future.

University of Illinois Women’s Head Coach Janet Rayfield donned a WPS t-shirt and presented a fast-moving and educational training session on behalf of Chicago WPS. The clinic included a couple dozen girls from Illinois Youth Soccer’s Olympic Development Program.

The Chicago WPS booth was buzzing with people interested in finding information on Chicago’s new professional women’s team and League. The Name the Team Sweepstakes was very popular and hundreds of attendees signed up for the team’s email newsletter.

I am extremely grateful for all the wonderful assistance we had all day. The Chicago WPS booth was staffed and assisted ably by the players mentioned above along with Chicago WPS’ Alyse LaHue and Katie Stapely, volunteers Lisa Buczkowski, Rob Lepley, Carrie Sear, Tom Stutesman and University of Illinois players Ella Masar and Kara Gostisha. Chicago investors Jim and Kathi Willett and Jack Cummins were also invaluable in their assistance and support at the Expo.

The tremendous support and reception we received at the IYS Expo is extremely encouraging as we move the process along to give Chicago a champion caliber professional women’s soccer team.

IYS Expo

Ok, so this is a record (for me) four posts in one day!!!

Wanted to make sure that i mentioned that tomorrow's Illinois Youth Soccer Expo will feature a Chicago WPS Town Hall moderated by USA Today Columnist Christine Brennan. i will be joined on the panel by Chicago WPS General Manager Marcia McDermott, National Soccer Hall of Famer and long time USWNT Captain Julie Foudy, FC Indiana Goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill and Chicago Gaels midfielder Jen Buczkowski. Kristin and Jen provide different player perspectives on the new League. Kristin is a veteran professional and Olympic gold medalist (USA 2004) who won a WUSA championship with the Carolina Courage in 2002. Jen is a local player who starred at the University of Notre Dame (playing every game during her four seasons for the Fighting Irish) and has honed her skills with her home town W-League team while hoping that a professional women's soccer league would be resurrected.

Be sure to stop by the Schaumburg Sports Center tomorrow morning to hear their perspectives on the new League and more. Kristin, Jen and other players from FC Indiana and the Gaels will also be signing autographs at the Chicago WPS booth throughout the day.

The Pogues and Soccer fans

It's March in the U.S., so that means all the best Irish bands are travelling stateside for the next few weeks. Last night i went to see The Pogues at the Riv in Chicago and defied all odds by seeing Shane MacGowan put on a sober show for the second time in two years. Last year i went to their first Chicago show the night before he reportedly mumbled and stumbled through the second show. This year, i went to the second night after he was reportedly ill suited for public entertainment purposes the previous evening.

While waiting in the lobby for the Ike Reilly Assassination to hit the stage, i was chatted up by a number of soccer friends from Milwaukee and Chicago. During the show, it was music to my ears to hear Fire supporters break into Section 8 chants after "Dirty Old Town" or "Fiesta" or "The Irish Rover".

The apparent preponderence of Fire supporters reinforced the idea i've had for awhile that there are good cross marketing opportunities for soccer clubs and music clubs. After being handed a Flogging Molly cd promo piece on the way out of the theater, i made a point to remind myself that the Chicago WPS team will need to have a street team to hand flyers out in front of Chicago music venues when we start up next year.

Updated Name the Team Tally...."Progress" is on the Bubble

New vote totals are just in and a couple names have moved north ward in the standings. While Red Stars has grown its lead, the Wind and Stinking Onions have eached moved up a couple spots in the standings.

The weekend balloting will be critical in determining what name will be the first eliminated on Monday as part of our "Survivor" style voting.

Here are the latest standings*:

Red Stars..........540 points; 21.6%
Wind...............390 points; 15.6%
Riot................363 points; 14.5%
1871...............361 points; 14.5%
Blues..............333 points; 13.3%
Union...............179 points; 7.2%
Massacre ...........136 points; 5.4%
Stinking Onions ...90 points; 3.6%
Towers..............68 points; 2.7%
Progress............36 points; 1.4%

*5 points for each 1st place vote, 3 points for each 2nd place vote and one point for each 3rd place vote.

Voting can be done here.

Supporters Rights

There is a very important issue being debated about MLS supporters groups' rights to access to away game tickets due to Toronto FC's refusal to accommodate Section 8 Chicago's request (initially made awhile ago) to hold a block of seats for the Fire's away supporters.

i have strong feelings about this issue, but after reading Tom Dunmore's fine commentary, realized that i couldn't express my thoughts better than he did. All i can say is that i support his position and hope that MLS realizes that the addition of Philadelphia, due to the Sons of Ben and its proximity to the Red Bulls and United, has the potential to be the tipping point of turning MLS from a League supported mainly by suburban soccer families to one whose base audience of suburban soccer families is infused on a REGULAR basis with passionate fans who follow and promote the League seriously. Now is the time to build the supporters culture, not to constrict it.

Early precincts reporting

The Chicago WPS Name the Team Sweepstakes got off to a good start Saturday both online and via distribution of more than 15,000 "ballots" at the IWSL Spring 2008 Seeding Meetings.

At six seperate seeding meetings, Chicago WPS GM Marcia McDermott and i addressed coaches and administrators representing more than 800 teams. We had a chance to talk one on one with most of them before and after each meeting. The response of encouragement and support we received has given me much relief and excitement about the team's future. This is certainly a group that we would hope would support our efforts, but it can't be taken for granted and hearing them volunteer their support and commitment was very encouraging.

Posting the link to the Name the Team Sweepstakes on the Section 8 Chicago, Big Soccer forums and Tribune Red Card blog generated more than 100 votes in the first 24 hours.

Using a 5-3-1 weighted point system for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place votes, the most popular names in the early going are Red Stars, 1871, Blues and Wind. Here are the early standings:

Red Stars..........227 points; 22.8%
1871...............167 points; 16.8%
Blues..............146 points; 14.7%
Wind...............146 points; 14.7%
Riot................129 points; 13.0%
Union...............80 points; 8.0%
Massacre ...........50 points; 5.0%
Towers..............24 points; 2.4%
Progress............14 points; 1.4%
Stinking Onions ...12 points; 1.2%

Tomorrow's official news release announcing the Sweepstakes will reveal a previously unannounced "Survivor" aspect to the voting. Each week, the list of team names will be reduced by one until only three names remain. Stinking Onions is currently in danger of being permanently relegated...who would've guessed!?!

Primary Season

While voters in states across the nation are having their chance to narrow the field for the U.S. Presidency, voters will also have their say in the all important selection of the name of Chicago's Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) franchise.

The Name the Team Sweepstakes launches today and runs through May 16th.

We are proud that our first name will be “Chicago”, the greatest city in the world. As part of our commitment to be a team that truly represents Chicagoland, we would like our team name to reflect the history, character and culture of the city. With that in mind, we have nominated ten names that have direct historical connections to Chicago:

Please vote for your three favorites in order here. Your vote will influence our decision on what the final name will be and one lucky winner will be chosen at random to receive more than $2,500 in cash and prizes including inaugural season tickets and suite tickets to our inaugural game in Spring of 2009 at Toyota Park.

Please comment below and let me know why you voted the way you did.

i'm looking forward to seeing what names you recommend for your team.