Players, Players, Players

Lots is (are?) going on with WPS this week.

Most important is the long awaited announcement of the WPS player acquisition timeline.

Condensed version:

Week of Sept. 15: U.S. WNT / U.S. WNT Player Pool Allocation
Week of Sept. 22: Draft of Top International Players
Oct. 6: WPS General Draft of Domestic & International Players
Dec. 10-13: WPS West Coast Combine
Dec. 17-20: WPS East Coast Combine
Week of Jan. 14: WPS Post-Combine Draft
Beginning Feb. 1: WPS Tryouts in Teams' Local Markets
March 1: WPS Pre-Season Begins
April 4/5(TBD): WPS Regular Season Begins

Long version.

Answers to all your questions about the allocation of the US Women's National Team players to WPS teams.

Here's a good WPS update (including expansion info) from Commissioner Tonya Antonucci via USA Today's Beau Dure.

Chicago Red Stars minor league partners FC Indiana, Chicago Gaels and MYSC Lady Blues are also busy. Red Stars W-League affiliate FC Indiana smacked the previously undefeated Minnesota Lightning on the road the other day 6-0! The Red Stars W-League partner Chicago Gaels are the next test for Minnesota this Thursday night at 7:30 pm at Loyola University's soccer field on Devon and Hoyne. I'll be there along with much of the Red Stars staff including General Manager Marcia McDermott and Head Coach Emma Hayes. Please stop by and say hi at half time. During the game, join us as we watch potential WPS players on both sides. MYSC Lady Blues will be playing WPSL rival FC Twente3 on Sunday, July 13th. Kickoff is set for 11:00 am. The match is at Judson University in Elgin (I-90 west to Route 31 south...turn left at first stop light and then an immediate right into Judson...left at stop sign and follow road to the field)...FC Twente3 also play Friday night at Loyola v. Ohio Premier at 8:00 pm.

i'm in San Diego next week for WPS Board of Governors meetings and the USA vs. Brazil women's national team game on Wednesday, but i'll get back in time to join Emma in Indianapolis for the FC Indiana vs. Chicago Gaels contest at Kuntz Memorial Stadium. Earlier in the year, FCI came out ahead of Chicago 3-0 and the Gaels will be looking to end the Lionesses undefeated mark in 2008.

The USWNT game in San Diego is one of two matches next week vs. Brazil that can be watched with Chicago Red Stars fans and staff at local Red Stars viewing parties.

Emma will be at Sunday's Brazil/USWNT game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Colorado, but she will be piped in at halftime for a live Q&A with fans at GameWorks in Schaumburg (601 N. Martingale). I'll be at the viewing party with Marcia and other staff. Lots of free stuff - chips, salsa, soda, GameWorks game card, Fair Game Women's Soccer Magazines and raffle prizes including USWNT bobbleheads and Red Stars merchandise to those attending. Party starts at 1:30 pm and the game starts at 3:00 pm.

Emma will handle the Q&A at Wednesday's viewing party at Fado Irish Pub in person. This party is for fans 21 and over and starts at 7:30 pm with food and drink specials. The Brazil/USWNT game starts at 9:00 pm. Fado is at 100 W. Grand in the River North section of Chicago.