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!?!