KARACHI: After winning a gold medal on Thursday against Japan in Olympics, the proud US women soccer team has demanded a soccer league of their own.
With the folding of the Women's Professional Soccer league, the second failed major women's soccer venture in the United States, many players, are without pro contracts.
"If I sit back and think about it, it's a little bit bothersome," Hope Solo, US goal keeper said. "I do get a little bit angry that there is no season."
U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati said Wednesday that the failures of the WUSA and the WPS over the last decade show that a women's league of full-time professionals isn't yet sustainable.
"Look, it's pretty simple," Gulati said. "An economic model of the sort we've had the last two rounds hasn't worked."
Among the alternatives being discussed are enhancing one or more of the various semipro leagues in the U.S., or having an extended residency program for the U.S. national team players with a schedule of 25-30 games per year. Both have their pros and cons, related to development of talent both short-term and long-term.
Solo and her teammates say they would like to stay in the country but want the proper support.
"We want a league that will not only keep the best players here but also bring in the best international players," Solo said. "It takes an ownership that is willing to lose some money."
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