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Philadelphia to get women's pro soccer team

By Marc Narducci
Inquirer Staff Writer
Women's Professional Soccer, which begins its inaugural season later this month, will announce today that Philadelphia has been approved for an eighth franchise and will begin play in the 2010 season.
The team is expected to play in the stadium in Chester, which will also be the home for the Philadelphia MLS franchise that begins play in 2010.
Matt Driver, a former assistant coach with the New England Revolution of MLS, will be Philadelphia's WPS coach and general manager.
Driver is also a former USL D3 Pro League men's coach, guiding the South Jersey Barons to several conference titles and a regular season National Title. A resident of Brigantine, Driver coached the AC Diablos in the Women's Premier Soccer League the last three years.
"The Philadelphia community is eager for and deserving of pro soccer," Driver said.
According to a WPS official, Philadelphia had to pay a franchise fee of $1.25 million. WPS is hoping to expand from seven to 10 franchises for the 2010 season. Atlanta is one of the leading contenders to receive a franchise.
Until the expansion plans are firm, the allocation of players for the Philadelphia franchise won't be finalized.
The seven teams in WPS are FC Goldpride from the Bay area in Santa Clara; Boston Breakers; Chicago Red Stars; Los Angeles Sol; Sky Blue FC from New Jersey, which will be playing mostly at Rutgers; St. Louis Athletica; and Washington Freedom.
Philadelphia has yet to choose a name for the team but hopes to within the next few months. United States national team member and Olympic star Carli Lloyd of Delran is playing for Chicago. The season opens March 29, when Los Angeles, with Brazilian star Marta, hosts the Washington Freedom.
The Philadelphia ownership group is led by team president and CEO David Halstead.
Halstead is president and CEO of Halstead Global L.L.C., a business-consulting firm that provides market analysis, strategic, and performance planning and management assistance to growing commercial organizations.
"We're excited with the relations we have with the MLS partners," Halstead said yesterday in a phone interview. "We have a signed agreement that lays out all the terms for the use of the stadium."
Contact staff writer Marc Narducci