A hellacious schedule this week:
Sunday - FC Indiana at Chicago Gaels, 4:00 pm at Nazareth Academy, 1209 W. Ogden LaGrange Park.
Monday - Chicago WPS moves into new administrative offices at Toyota Park
Tuesday - Chicago WPS team name, logo and colors unveiled
Wednesday - Chicago WPS season tickets go sale
Thursday - WPS Board of Governors arrive in Chicago
Friday - WPS BOG Meetings and BOG and WPS staff attend Dave Matthews Band Concert at Toyota Park
Saturday - WPS BOG Meetings and BOG and WPS staff attend Chicago Fire vs. DC United match at Toyota Park
Hang on. It's going to be a busy week!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Red Stars Wins Fan Vote; Team Name TBA Tuesday
The final week of fan balloting went to Chicago Red Stars ensuring the homage to the City of Chicago municipal flag the top spot in the advisory Name the Team Sweepstakes. It was the Red Stars’ seventh weekly honor and allowed them to finish with 5,080 voting points (40.2%), well ahead of runner up Chicago Wind (3,844 points and 30.4%). The Wind managed to climb past Chicago 1871 in the contest’s final week. Chicago 1871 finished with 3,704 points or 29.3% of the total voting points cast for the three finalists over the course of the Sweepstakes which began in early March.
We also announced that the official team name and logo selection will be unveiled next Tuesday, June 3rd at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois with a ceremony that begins at 11:00 am. The ceremony is scheduled outdoors in Toyota Park’s entry plaza. If you'd like to attend, send me an email at pwilt@chicagoprowomenssoccer.com and i'll add you to the entry list.
Next Tuesday we'll reveal whether we have selected the fans top choice, one of their other top selections or gone off the board for something completely different. I will say that the fan voting successfully influenced our selection as we studied the demographics behind the balloting. It’s important that we select a name that will be supported by all of our audiences.
Vote totals below display both the cumulative and weekly vote:
Cumulative voting - FINAL:
Red Stars......5080.....40.2%
Wind...........3844.....30.4%
1871...........3704.....29.3%
Riot...........2300 Eliminated April 21st
Blues..........1564 Eliminated April 14th
Union..........1056 Eliminated April 7th
Stinking Onions..611 Eliminated March 31st
Massacre......526 Eliminated March 24th
Towers........183 Eliminated March 17th
Progress.......109 Eliminated March 10th
Weekly vote: 5/12-19:
Red Stars......634.....45.1%
Wind...........520.....37.0%
1871...........253.....18.0%
We also announced that the official team name and logo selection will be unveiled next Tuesday, June 3rd at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois with a ceremony that begins at 11:00 am. The ceremony is scheduled outdoors in Toyota Park’s entry plaza. If you'd like to attend, send me an email at pwilt@chicagoprowomenssoccer.com and i'll add you to the entry list.
Next Tuesday we'll reveal whether we have selected the fans top choice, one of their other top selections or gone off the board for something completely different. I will say that the fan voting successfully influenced our selection as we studied the demographics behind the balloting. It’s important that we select a name that will be supported by all of our audiences.
Vote totals below display both the cumulative and weekly vote:
Cumulative voting - FINAL:
Red Stars......5080.....40.2%
Wind...........3844.....30.4%
1871...........3704.....29.3%
Riot...........2300 Eliminated April 21st
Blues..........1564 Eliminated April 14th
Union..........1056 Eliminated April 7th
Stinking Onions..611 Eliminated March 31st
Massacre......526 Eliminated March 24th
Towers........183 Eliminated March 17th
Progress.......109 Eliminated March 10th
Weekly vote: 5/12-19:
Red Stars......634.....45.1%
Wind...........520.....37.0%
1871...........253.....18.0%
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Promoting Chicago Generic Women's Pro Soccer Team
The entire Chicago WPS staff was out at various Memorial Day socer tournaments over the weekend promoting our nameless team. Amber Simons, Alyse LaHue, Tiffany Martin, Carlos Clava Klimek and I promoted Chicago WPS at the Park Ridge Memorial Day Soccer Tournament over the weekend. Interaction with the tournament organizers and participants made me keenly aware of a few things (warning, unfair blanket generalizations ahead):
* All the youth payers we spoke to, girls and boys, are interested in Women's Professional Soccer.
* The older the girls, the more excited they were about the new league.
* Coaches and parents of girls teams are really excited about the launch of the League and the team.
* Coaches and dads of boys teams seem to think the women's game isn't worthy of their attention.
* It would really be nice to have a name for the team when out promoting "Chicago WPS".
* The Chicago Storm's use of a soccer tennis net, Bozo Buckets and an info table was extremely efficient.
* The education curve we face is enormous. Typical youth soccer players, coaches and parents have no idea who we are, who the new League is or even who is on the US Women's National Team.
* The opportunity we have is great, because most people in the soccer community who are aware of the new league and team want us to succeed and many are willing to evangelize on our behalf.
Next week will mark an important milestone in the team's history. More on that later this week.
* All the youth payers we spoke to, girls and boys, are interested in Women's Professional Soccer.
* The older the girls, the more excited they were about the new league.
* Coaches and parents of girls teams are really excited about the launch of the League and the team.
* Coaches and dads of boys teams seem to think the women's game isn't worthy of their attention.
* It would really be nice to have a name for the team when out promoting "Chicago WPS".
* The Chicago Storm's use of a soccer tennis net, Bozo Buckets and an info table was extremely efficient.
* The education curve we face is enormous. Typical youth soccer players, coaches and parents have no idea who we are, who the new League is or even who is on the US Women's National Team.
* The opportunity we have is great, because most people in the soccer community who are aware of the new league and team want us to succeed and many are willing to evangelize on our behalf.
Next week will mark an important milestone in the team's history. More on that later this week.
Monday, May 26, 2008
In Memoriam
Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer. Saturday i helped staff an information table for Chicago WPS at the Park Ridge Memorial Day Soccer Tournament, yesterday Ann and i watched the Fire victory then hosted a cookout for relatives and today we're off to our niece's graduation party. All are typical Memorial Day weekend activities. The real meaning of Memorial Day is often overlooked unfortunately. Even in this time of war when more than 150,000 US Soldiers are in battle overseas, we tend to focus on the home front and forget about the men and women who are risking their lives and those that have given their lives for our country.
i first registered as a pacifist more than thirty years ago and have been active in various peace efforts over the last three decades including Congressional lobbying for Peace Action Wisconsin. My beliefs and actions do not diminish my respect and honor for those that fight our country's battles. Nor do they suppress the sorrow i have for the families of the more than 4,000 fallen Americans in the Iraq War/Occupation. i do not know the exact number of dead in that war, but i do know that whatever the number is, it is at least one more than the official tally.
Brandon Kitchens cared for his country and he cared for the Chicago Fire. Brandon's obituary noted that he was "a senior airman and intelligence officer, Brandon's training in intelligence proved vital on the ground, assisting Army convoys and evaluating areas to locate air strips. (Last May), Brandon completed a four-year stint with the Air Force that sent him to Iraq three times and Afghanistan twice."
Afterwards, Brandon spent two months at home supporting the Fire to his fullest, took a position with the Chicago 2016 Olympic Bid Committee and then his heart tragically gave out on a soccer field at the age of 23.
i am not sure of the medical reasons for his death, but in my heart, i believe the effects of three tours of duty had a residual effect that cost Brandon his life and the Fire one of its greatest supporters. Yesterday the Fire destroyed Juan Carlos Osorio's New York Red Bulls 5-1 with nearly 100 travelling Fire supporters cheering them on for 90 minutes. If Brandon were still with us, he surely would have been in Giants Stadium leading the charge. And nothing would have pleased him more than to see disloyalty to the Fire rewarded with that kind of defeat. Brandon was loyal to the Fire, loyal to his friends and loyal to his country.
So on this Memorial Day, the first since Brandon passed, i ask you to remember Brandon, remember all our country's heroes and take a moment to read (or reread) the words he gave us to inspire support of the Chicago Fire.
STAND AND DELIVER!
i first registered as a pacifist more than thirty years ago and have been active in various peace efforts over the last three decades including Congressional lobbying for Peace Action Wisconsin. My beliefs and actions do not diminish my respect and honor for those that fight our country's battles. Nor do they suppress the sorrow i have for the families of the more than 4,000 fallen Americans in the Iraq War/Occupation. i do not know the exact number of dead in that war, but i do know that whatever the number is, it is at least one more than the official tally.
Brandon Kitchens cared for his country and he cared for the Chicago Fire. Brandon's obituary noted that he was "a senior airman and intelligence officer, Brandon's training in intelligence proved vital on the ground, assisting Army convoys and evaluating areas to locate air strips. (Last May), Brandon completed a four-year stint with the Air Force that sent him to Iraq three times and Afghanistan twice." Afterwards, Brandon spent two months at home supporting the Fire to his fullest, took a position with the Chicago 2016 Olympic Bid Committee and then his heart tragically gave out on a soccer field at the age of 23.
i am not sure of the medical reasons for his death, but in my heart, i believe the effects of three tours of duty had a residual effect that cost Brandon his life and the Fire one of its greatest supporters. Yesterday the Fire destroyed Juan Carlos Osorio's New York Red Bulls 5-1 with nearly 100 travelling Fire supporters cheering them on for 90 minutes. If Brandon were still with us, he surely would have been in Giants Stadium leading the charge. And nothing would have pleased him more than to see disloyalty to the Fire rewarded with that kind of defeat. Brandon was loyal to the Fire, loyal to his friends and loyal to his country.
So on this Memorial Day, the first since Brandon passed, i ask you to remember Brandon, remember all our country's heroes and take a moment to read (or reread) the words he gave us to inspire support of the Chicago Fire.
STAND AND DELIVER!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Higher Expectations
Chicago WPS W-League affiliate FC Indiana outshot the Michigan Hawks 18-3 on its way to a 5-0 victory in its home opener in Indianapolis Wednesday night.
Most coaches would take the three points and dominating performance and be pleased. But FCI Head Coach Shek Borkowski, though not angry, was displeased with his team's overall performance - especially their appearance to cruise through the game.
Afterwards, Shek said, “At 3-0 we stopped playing,” he said. “When you lead 3-0 it is natural to think you are going to win – but Michigan made it difficult for us and never gave up.
"Our second half substitutes played with some intensity," he continued. At least one moment had Borkowski cheering. He smiled briefly when Laura del Rio blazed in her third goal after a good pass by Moore to make it 5-0. “Everything about that was perfect,” he said. “Moore’s pass was fantastic, and del Rio produced a great finish. It’s important to us that she keeps on scoring.”
FC Indiana defender Aivi Luik, meanwhile, echoed her coach’s relief at getting past this hurdle. “We are not pleased at the performance – although it’s never easy to concentrate when you’re three goals up,” she said.
i think W-League teams may be in for some tough nights when the League's newest team, FC Indiana, shows up on their schedule this season.
Most coaches would take the three points and dominating performance and be pleased. But FCI Head Coach Shek Borkowski, though not angry, was displeased with his team's overall performance - especially their appearance to cruise through the game.
Afterwards, Shek said, “At 3-0 we stopped playing,” he said. “When you lead 3-0 it is natural to think you are going to win – but Michigan made it difficult for us and never gave up.
"Our second half substitutes played with some intensity," he continued. At least one moment had Borkowski cheering. He smiled briefly when Laura del Rio blazed in her third goal after a good pass by Moore to make it 5-0. “Everything about that was perfect,” he said. “Moore’s pass was fantastic, and del Rio produced a great finish. It’s important to us that she keeps on scoring.”
FC Indiana defender Aivi Luik, meanwhile, echoed her coach’s relief at getting past this hurdle. “We are not pleased at the performance – although it’s never easy to concentrate when you’re three goals up,” she said.
i think W-League teams may be in for some tough nights when the League's newest team, FC Indiana, shows up on their schedule this season.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Sexism Slowing Development of Women's Soccer?
Insightful author Jennifer Doyle makes a solid case showing sexism can be a barrier to the development of women’s soccer . I thought she sounded defensive early in the article, but as i read through the piece, I thought that it isn’t paranoia if there really are unmarked black helicopters in the sky. It’s a very good read and will provide you with new insight into the challenges girls and women face as athletes.
Doyle makes valid points about the lack of understanding of the specific needs of female athletes caused by the ingrained sexism of medicine and sports culture, which ties back to the high rate of ACL tears in female soccer players. She points out that coaches sometime fail to recognize that the gender differences are not only physiological, but also metabolic, social and psychological.
Beyond that, Doyle brings up the gender inequity of their soccer fields and shoes, the lack of understanding of society’s impact in the physical movement of young women and the failure of some coaches to truly listen to girls.
The article concludes with the positive side of battling the challenges by recognizing the rewards of changing how girls play and how they live. The impact of sexism on soccer is a reflection of the culture we live in. As in society, change will be slow, but recognizing the issue is the first step to addressing it.
Doyle makes valid points about the lack of understanding of the specific needs of female athletes caused by the ingrained sexism of medicine and sports culture, which ties back to the high rate of ACL tears in female soccer players. She points out that coaches sometime fail to recognize that the gender differences are not only physiological, but also metabolic, social and psychological.
Beyond that, Doyle brings up the gender inequity of their soccer fields and shoes, the lack of understanding of society’s impact in the physical movement of young women and the failure of some coaches to truly listen to girls.
The article concludes with the positive side of battling the challenges by recognizing the rewards of changing how girls play and how they live. The impact of sexism on soccer is a reflection of the culture we live in. As in society, change will be slow, but recognizing the issue is the first step to addressing it.
Monday, May 19, 2008
High Expectations
Chicago WPS W-League affiliate FC Indiana outshot the Kalamazoo Outrage 21-1 on its way to a 2-0 victory in its season opener in Kalamazoo Friday night.
Most coaches would take the away points and dominating performance and be pleased. But FCI Head Coach Shek Borkowski, though not "Outraged", was less than pleased with his team's overall performance - especially in the final third.
Afterwards, Shek said, "Statistics mean nothing. We played well at times and tried to win but still are not aggressive enough at running at defenders."
i think W-League teams may be in for some tough nights when the League's newest team, FC Indiana, shows up on their schedule this season.
Most coaches would take the away points and dominating performance and be pleased. But FCI Head Coach Shek Borkowski, though not "Outraged", was less than pleased with his team's overall performance - especially in the final third.
Afterwards, Shek said, "Statistics mean nothing. We played well at times and tried to win but still are not aggressive enough at running at defenders."
i think W-League teams may be in for some tough nights when the League's newest team, FC Indiana, shows up on their schedule this season.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Introducing Emma
New Chicago WPS Head Coach Emma Hayes completed her whirlwind extended weekend in Chicago today with a return flight to London.
In a little more than three days, we introduced her to as many of the team's stakeholders as possible.
Thursday was her busiest day:
In the morning she was introduced in person to the Chicago media. In the afternoon she was introduced via conference call to national and international media then joined our Managers Meeting for players discussion. Following the Managers Meeting, she joined Marcia McDermott, Greg Zaskowski and me for a meeting with the operators of the Max McCook indoor facility. We're considering the nearly full sized facility for indoor training when the elements drive us inside.
Friday was a longer, though less stressful day. Emma spent the bulk of the day in our temporary downtown offices meeting with Marcia and others regarding set up of scouting and networking systems. Friday night she joined Marcia, Greg, Amber Simons, Alyse LaHue and me in Algonquin to meet socially with a group of a dozen or so youth soccer directors of coaching and high school coaches including Brian Elia, Cori and Rob Eastland (Johnsburg White Lightning), Brad Wellmen (Cary Soccer Assoc.), Jim Dzialo (Jacobs H.S.), Caulbert Smith (Dundee United), Scott Jackman (Campton United), Orhan (Soccer Heads) and several others.
Emma spent Saturday morning apartment hunting and successfully bagged a unit in the city. She headed out to Toyota Park in the afternoon where she participated in the Chicago WPS Advisory Board meeting. There she was able to meet and exchange ideas with representatives from IWSL (Flo and Charlie Dyson), IYSA (Mary Jane Bender), ISSA (Judith McLean), Section 8 (Ben Burton), adult social soccer leagues via Windy City Wanderer's (Matt Rosine), soccer media (Kathryn Knapp, Tom Dunmore), W-League (FC Indiana's Anton Maksimov, Chicago Gaels' Mark Boyle), Toyota Park (Dan Garnett), Chicago Fire (Javier Leon), corporate community (Mark Kaufman), college soccer (Danielle Slaton, Rob Lepley), youth soccer parents (Tom Stutesman, Lisa Buczkowski), FireWorks For Kids Foundation and local Hispanic soccer (Bob Armendariz) and Chicago WPS owners (Susan Morrison, Arnim Whisler, Gary Weaver).
Afterwards, Emma ventured out to the Toyota Park parking lots meeting Fire fans at tailgates before heading inside for the Fire game against Houston. She spent the game's first half (when it was relatively dry outside) inside our suite with team owners, FC Indiana players and execs and players from the Windy City Rollers ( Belle Diablo, Tori Adore and Malice with Chains). Belle, Tori and Malice came to the game to discuss cross promotion ideas with us. After discovering my affection for Pabst and pirates, Malice gave me my very own derby name: "P.B.RRRRRRRRRR."
After chatting it up in the suite at halftime with Javier Leon, Emma and Marcia headed outdoors to take in the last 45 minutes in Section 8. They were suitably impressed by the failure of the downpour to drown Section 8's spirit.
Emma's back in London now to complete her obligations to Arsenal and await her visa clearance, before moving here full time in mid-June.
After the taste of Chicago hospitality she received the last several days, Emma's anxious to return.
Friday, May 16, 2008
A Lovely Lady - E. Carol Hayes
Emma
Yesterday's announcement went smoothly.
In person, we had a good turnout of five newspapers plus Comcast Sports. The media conference call and news release generated plenty more coverage.
A search of online articles uncovered the following stories on Chicago WPS' announcement:
Soccer Science Blog
http://www.amandavandervort.com/blog/2008/05/top-5-reasons-emma-hayes-is-perfect-choice-for-chicago/
Chicago Sun-Times
www.suntimes.com/sports/soccer/953150,CST-SPT-womsoc16.article
Chicago Tribune:
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/soccer/fire/cs-080515-emma-hayes-chicago-womens-soccer-club,1,4050515.story
Daily Southtown
http://www.southtownstar.com/sports/953290,051608sptshorts.article
Yahoo Sports
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=ap-chicagowomen-coach&prov=ap&type=lgns
The Daily Herald
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=191433#comment
Soccer America
http://www.socceramerica.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.showArticleHomePage&art_aid=26556
WQAD News
http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?S=8330265
US Soccer Players
http://ussoccerplayers.typepad.com/ussoccerplayers/2008/05/chicago-wps-get.html
The Dane's Head
http://thedaneshead.org/show/137906/Hayes-to-coach-new-Chicago-women's-soccer-team-(AP)
Women's Pro Soccer
http://www.womensprosoccer.com/newsitem_ektid2726.aspx
Chicagoland Soccer News
http://www.chicagolandsoccernews.com/article.php?article_id=4282
Big Apple Soccer
http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/article.php?article_id=14023
Chicago Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/wire/chi-ap-soc-chicagowomen-coa,0,7531368.story
KWQC News
http://www.kwqc.com/Global/story.asp?S=8330265&nav=menu83_4
USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2008-05-15-1159995210_x.htm
Fair Game Magazine
http://www.shekicks.net/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=5051
Beau Dure's USA Today blog
http://www.usatoday.com/community/profile.htm?UID=1e704431d89e7993&plckController=PersonaBlog&plckScript=personaScript&plckElementId=personaDest&plckPersonaPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3a1e704431d89e7993Post%3a315f049a-a5ca-4a90-9a4e-bf64323dbde5
Women's Sports Nation (Talkshoe.com)
http://www.womenssportsnation.com/2008/05/head-coach-named-for-chicagos-wps-team.html
Big Soccer Forum
http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=693773
Bester News
http://www.besternews.com/sports/soccer/
AOL News
http://news.aol.com/story/_a/hayes-to-coach-new-chicago-womens-soccer/n20080515182609990001?ecid=RSS0001
International Herald Tribune
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/05/15/sports/SOC-Chicago-Women-Coach.php
MSN FoxSports
http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/8144304/Hayes-to-coach-new-Chicago-women's-soccer-team?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=176
Chicago Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/a-1393587~Hayes_to_coach_new_Chicago_women_s_soccer_team.html
Soccer Scene USA Blog
http://soccersceneusa.blogspot.com/2008_05_01_archive.html#6266195830871046668
Women's Soccer USA Blog
http://womenssoccerusa.blogspot.com/
The Daily Journal
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SOC_CHICAGO_WOMEN_COACH_ILOL-?SITE=ILKAN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-05-15-18-10-57
Netscape News
http://webcenters.netscape.compuserve.com/sports/story.jsp?idq=/ff/story/0030/20080515/1732662676.htm
Arsenal News
http://www.arsenalnews.net/comments/45091/arsenal_coach_to_lead_chicagos_womens_pro_soccer_team/
Arsenal News 2
http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?article=491546&lid=NewsHeadline&sub=Hayes+announces+departure+from+Club&sublid=NewsHeadline&Title=Hayes+announces+departure+from+Club&f=rss
Sports Illustrated
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/soccer/wires/05/15/2050.ap.na.spt.soc.women.chicago.coach.0186/index.html
Be Recruited
http://news.berecruited.com/2008/05/15/hayes-to-coach-new-chicago-womens-soccer-team-ap/
ESPN SoccerNet
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=535635&cc=5901
WTHITV
http://www.wthitv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8330265&nav=menu593_4
i'm sure there are more out there. If you see that i've missed any, please add them in the comments.
Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Head Coach To Be Announced Tomorrow!
The big news tomorrow is the naming of Chicago WPS' inaugural head coach. But we also have a board of directors meeting, an owners tour of our new offices (more on that in a future post) and a meeting with an indoor facility.
i thought you might like to see our internal schedule for everything that's going on tomorrow. With the name of the coach (hopefully) redacted throughout, here's tomorrow's internal schedule (btw, the coach's name does not have eight letters ;-)).
i should add that after the last meeting, we're all going to head to the nearest public house to celebrate!
i thought you might like to see our internal schedule for everything that's going on tomorrow. With the name of the coach (hopefully) redacted throughout, here's tomorrow's internal schedule (btw, the coach's name does not have eight letters ;-)).
THURSDAY’S SCHEDULE AT TOYOTA PARK
10:00 am – Staff arrives at Toyota Park (Amber, Alyse, Greg, Marcia and peter) . Make sure media room is set up with podium, sound, WPS press backdrop and check in table at Media Room entry all set.
10:30 am – Media check in begins – Amber greets and directs at the door, Alyse sits at check in table, hands out news releases and asks attendees to sign in. (Alyse, please make a simple sign in sheet with name and affiliation. Three pages, 15 lines per page.)
10:30 am - Photographer (Katie) begins taking head shots in front of WPS press backdrop. xxxxxxxx, Marcia and peter, Amber and Alyse first, then the other five staff and owners in any order. Greg, please relieve Amber and Alyse while their photos are being taken. Send xxxxxxxx’s photo to Karyn Lush for posting.
10:55 am - Alyse sends News Release (with xxxxxxxx photo link) and conference call advisory out to Chicago WPS media data base and Special Chicago WPS Email Insider to Chicago WPS general data base. Jen Peters sends news release and conference call advisory out to F-H Chicago sports list, F-H priority soccer list and international soccer list.
11:00 am - News Conference Starts in TP Media Room
• Welcome and opening remarks – 1-2 minutes (peter)
• Announcement, xxxxxxxx’s background and reasons for hiring xxxxxxxx – 3 to 5 minutes (Marcia)
• Acceptance and remarks – 3-5 minutes (xxxxxxxx)
• Q&A (xxxxxxxx and Marcia)
• Posed photo op (Marcia and xxxxxxxx)
• One on one interview opportunities (xxxxxxxx, Marcia and peter)
Noon – 2:30 pm – Managers Meeting in TP Conference Room 4. Second floor near Stadium Club entrance (Gary, Arnim, Jim, peter and Jack).
1:00 – 1:30 pm - Media Conference call for Marcia and xxxxxxxx. Alyse on hand to assist. Jen Peters, F-H, to moderate call from St. Louis. Room tbd.
1:30 pm - Marcia joins Managers Meeting
Approx. 2:00 pm – xxxxxxxx, Amber, Greg and Alyse join Managers Meeting
2:30 pm – Tour of Chicago WPS offices 730 W. 71st Street (All)
3:45 pm –Depart Toyota Park for Meeting at Max McCook (Marcia, xxxxxxxx, Greg and peter)
i should add that after the last meeting, we're all going to head to the nearest public house to celebrate!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y NIGHT!
Nice win for USWNT over Canada last night. 6-0 shelling with Natasha Kai getting her first career hat trick, Lindsay Tarpley notching her ninth goal of the year and Abby Wambach providing three helpers.
It was quite an improvement over their last game vs. Canada in the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying match - a 1-1 tie in regulation followed by 6-5 US PK victory.
Full story here.
i wasn't able to watch the US vs. Canada game as A) i was at the Prairie Home Companion broadcast at the venerable Milwaukee Theatre and B) the game wasn't televised.
While i'm not a big PHC fan, i enjoy attending the live performances. Three highllights of note from yesterday's PHC:
* The BoDeans performed. i first saw them 25 years ago when they opened for Pat McCurdy at Teddy's (now Shank Hall) in Milwaukee. i still have a soccer ball signed by the BoDeans when we brought them in to perform after a Fire game at Soldier Field in 1998. We sold an incremental 18,000 tickets for that game thanks to their Chicago popularity, WXRT's promotion and the increasing interest at that point in the Fire. Last night's BoDeans performance was great. They opened with "Wonder, Wonder" and mixed in old and new among their half dozen songs.
* Leon Redbone performed. i've always enjoyed the mystery and the music of this cool dude from another time. i didn't know who the guests were going to be before i got to my seat, so it was an incredibly great surprise to see both the BoDeans and Leon Redbone. Among the vintage songs he performed was Shine On, Harvest Moon.
* Memories of the Milwaukee Auditorium. The Milwaukee Theatre is a renovation of the old (1909) Milwaukee Auditorium where the Milwaukee Wave played during my first two years promoting pro soccer (1988 and 1989). It was the best venue ever for indoor soccer. Only 3,482 seats, it had individual padded folding chair seats arranged loosely in boxes seperated by wooden dividing walls in the lower level. The incredibly intimate and historic building had a cantilevered balcony that protruded over the lower level and allowed fans in the upper deck the best vantage point ever for an indoor soccer game.
We are now just 60 minutes away from the start of Fulham's final stand vs. Portsmouth to stay up in the Barclay's Premier League. C'mon FULHAM!
***UPDATED**** Danny Murphy keeps the Cottagers up for another year with a 76th minute header off a Jimmy Bullard free kick. The packed Highbury Pub in Miwlaukee celebrated in full voice. Way to go Fulham!
It was quite an improvement over their last game vs. Canada in the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying match - a 1-1 tie in regulation followed by 6-5 US PK victory.
Full story here.
i wasn't able to watch the US vs. Canada game as A) i was at the Prairie Home Companion broadcast at the venerable Milwaukee Theatre and B) the game wasn't televised.
While i'm not a big PHC fan, i enjoy attending the live performances. Three highllights of note from yesterday's PHC:
* The BoDeans performed. i first saw them 25 years ago when they opened for Pat McCurdy at Teddy's (now Shank Hall) in Milwaukee. i still have a soccer ball signed by the BoDeans when we brought them in to perform after a Fire game at Soldier Field in 1998. We sold an incremental 18,000 tickets for that game thanks to their Chicago popularity, WXRT's promotion and the increasing interest at that point in the Fire. Last night's BoDeans performance was great. They opened with "Wonder, Wonder" and mixed in old and new among their half dozen songs.
* Leon Redbone performed. i've always enjoyed the mystery and the music of this cool dude from another time. i didn't know who the guests were going to be before i got to my seat, so it was an incredibly great surprise to see both the BoDeans and Leon Redbone. Among the vintage songs he performed was Shine On, Harvest Moon.
* Memories of the Milwaukee Auditorium. The Milwaukee Theatre is a renovation of the old (1909) Milwaukee Auditorium where the Milwaukee Wave played during my first two years promoting pro soccer (1988 and 1989). It was the best venue ever for indoor soccer. Only 3,482 seats, it had individual padded folding chair seats arranged loosely in boxes seperated by wooden dividing walls in the lower level. The incredibly intimate and historic building had a cantilevered balcony that protruded over the lower level and allowed fans in the upper deck the best vantage point ever for an indoor soccer game.
We are now just 60 minutes away from the start of Fulham's final stand vs. Portsmouth to stay up in the Barclay's Premier League. C'mon FULHAM!
***UPDATED**** Danny Murphy keeps the Cottagers up for another year with a 76th minute header off a Jimmy Bullard free kick. The packed Highbury Pub in Miwlaukee celebrated in full voice. Way to go Fulham!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
No News Here
There is no Chicago soccer news today. But the next nine days will produce plenty of talking points for fans of Chicago men's and women's pro soccer:
* The Best Buy Fire battles former Eastern Conference power VW United tonight
* The Fire hosts former Western Conference power Houston Amigo Energy May 17th
* Next week two key department head hirings will be announced by Chicago WPS
* Next week Chicago WPS will hold an Advisory Board Meeting and a Managers Meeting
* Next Friday is the entry deadline for the Chicago WPS Name the Team Sweepstakes
Additionally:
* On Sunday, we'll find out if FulhAmerica stays up in the Barclay's Premier League.
* The W-League season kicks off May 10th and FC Indiana's season opener is at Kalamazoo on May 16th. (The Chicago Gaels first game is Sunday, June 1st hosting FCI at 4 pm)
* The USWNT vs. Canada at RFK this Saturday
Stay tuned!
* The Best Buy Fire battles former Eastern Conference power VW United tonight
* The Fire hosts former Western Conference power Houston Amigo Energy May 17th
* Next week two key department head hirings will be announced by Chicago WPS
* Next week Chicago WPS will hold an Advisory Board Meeting and a Managers Meeting
* Next Friday is the entry deadline for the Chicago WPS Name the Team Sweepstakes
Additionally:
* On Sunday, we'll find out if FulhAmerica stays up in the Barclay's Premier League.
* The W-League season kicks off May 10th and FC Indiana's season opener is at Kalamazoo on May 16th. (The Chicago Gaels first game is Sunday, June 1st hosting FCI at 4 pm)
* The USWNT vs. Canada at RFK this Saturday
Stay tuned!
Monday, May 5, 2008
This and That
Here are a few updates from the weekend:
* NAME THE TEAM SWEEPSTAKES: Chicago Red Stars won the weekly voting for the sixth time in nine tries to extend their lead over both Chicago 1871 and Chicago Wind. The fans are certainly showing consistent support of the Red Stars name. Their support is providing pressure to go in that direction, but the Wind and 1871 are receiving strong support from some important demographics and they are scoring well in formal and informal focus groups as well. We'll be taking all this information into consideration before announcing the winner. Details on last week's voting will be posted here later today.
* USWNT SCORES FIVE GOALS...AND BARELY WINS: Anyone who says women's soccer is boring should be forced to watch the United States thrilling 5-4 victory over Australia on Saturday. It was a great example of the wide open, high scoring style the women's game often provides that i described in a March post about the Mexico Women's National Team game against the University of Illinois women's team. Hats off to Angela Hucles who scored the winner three minutes and fifteen seconds into the "three minutes" of added time for the red, white and blue!
* TEN MORE GAMES: The USWNT thriller was my Saturday afternoon palate cleanser in the middle of ten other televised soccer games i took in that day. i watched five EPL matches in the morning at the Highbury Pub in Milwaukee highlighted by my Fulham side's HUGE 2-0 victory over Birmingham City to climb out of the relegation zone for the first time since December 22nd. The Whites likely need one more win next Sunday over Portsmouth to stay up another season. C'mon Fulham!! Section 8 Chairman Ben Burton made a pilgrimmage to Milwaukee on Saturday. Fire supporters Elizabeth Currie, Samantha Garivay and Zach Schaefer joined Ben and a flock of the Highbury's "Ride at Dawn Club" for a tour of Milwaukee's Lakefront Brewery - the self proclaimed "Animal House of Brewery Tours". We were back at the Highbury for five MLS games Saturday night highlighted by the Fire's 3-0 slashing of the hated New England Revolution. Seeing Jay Heaps on his knees in mourning after Stephen King's first career MLS goal was reminiscent of another great moment in MLS history.
* DON'T SPREAD ANY RUMORS: Chicago WPS General Manager Marcia McDermott and i are heading to Wheaton Academy this afternoon to see this guy train a team and meet with him for a bit.
* NAME THE TEAM SWEEPSTAKES: Chicago Red Stars won the weekly voting for the sixth time in nine tries to extend their lead over both Chicago 1871 and Chicago Wind. The fans are certainly showing consistent support of the Red Stars name. Their support is providing pressure to go in that direction, but the Wind and 1871 are receiving strong support from some important demographics and they are scoring well in formal and informal focus groups as well. We'll be taking all this information into consideration before announcing the winner. Details on last week's voting will be posted here later today.
* USWNT SCORES FIVE GOALS...AND BARELY WINS: Anyone who says women's soccer is boring should be forced to watch the United States thrilling 5-4 victory over Australia on Saturday. It was a great example of the wide open, high scoring style the women's game often provides that i described in a March post about the Mexico Women's National Team game against the University of Illinois women's team. Hats off to Angela Hucles who scored the winner three minutes and fifteen seconds into the "three minutes" of added time for the red, white and blue!
* TEN MORE GAMES: The USWNT thriller was my Saturday afternoon palate cleanser in the middle of ten other televised soccer games i took in that day. i watched five EPL matches in the morning at the Highbury Pub in Milwaukee highlighted by my Fulham side's HUGE 2-0 victory over Birmingham City to climb out of the relegation zone for the first time since December 22nd. The Whites likely need one more win next Sunday over Portsmouth to stay up another season. C'mon Fulham!! Section 8 Chairman Ben Burton made a pilgrimmage to Milwaukee on Saturday. Fire supporters Elizabeth Currie, Samantha Garivay and Zach Schaefer joined Ben and a flock of the Highbury's "Ride at Dawn Club" for a tour of Milwaukee's Lakefront Brewery - the self proclaimed "Animal House of Brewery Tours". We were back at the Highbury for five MLS games Saturday night highlighted by the Fire's 3-0 slashing of the hated New England Revolution. Seeing Jay Heaps on his knees in mourning after Stephen King's first career MLS goal was reminiscent of another great moment in MLS history.
* DON'T SPREAD ANY RUMORS: Chicago WPS General Manager Marcia McDermott and i are heading to Wheaton Academy this afternoon to see this guy train a team and meet with him for a bit.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
A Sign?
Shortly after sunrise today, i'm taking my morning walk along the secluded Lake Michigan beach near my Wisconsin home. While following a set of deer tracks a shiny object got my attention in the water. About 50 yards offshore there was a red object bouncing in the waves. i stopped and watched as the waves brought it closer to shore. It soon became apparent that it was a red mylar balloon. It got even closer and i could see that it was in the shape of a star!
Could this be a sign from above (well, it was a helium filled balloon that once indeed was "high above") telling me that we should follow the voice of the people and name Chicago's WPS team the Red Stars!?!
A minute or so later, the red star balloon made its way to the shore and my feet. i noticed that it was a five pointed star, not the unique Chicago flag six pointed star that the Chicago Red Stars name references.
You may not think that one little point makes a big difference when it comes to heavenly sent messages, but since today is May 1st, instead of receiving a message from above about the civic minded and patriotic Chicago red star, i might've been receiving a different message from the cold war runners up...0r it may have just been a sign to shop here or drink this. It's hard to know how to take messages from above without a translator.
Could this be a sign from above (well, it was a helium filled balloon that once indeed was "high above") telling me that we should follow the voice of the people and name Chicago's WPS team the Red Stars!?!
A minute or so later, the red star balloon made its way to the shore and my feet. i noticed that it was a five pointed star, not the unique Chicago flag six pointed star that the Chicago Red Stars name references.
You may not think that one little point makes a big difference when it comes to heavenly sent messages, but since today is May 1st, instead of receiving a message from above about the civic minded and patriotic Chicago red star, i might've been receiving a different message from the cold war runners up...0r it may have just been a sign to shop here or drink this. It's hard to know how to take messages from above without a translator.
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