What's next? What do the fans want?

So, the draft is over and the WPS is looking mighty strong. I am very proud to be a part of the league just as I am super proud to be a fan.

But now that the league launch is only...a couple months away (wow!)...what do you, the fan, think? Do you have season tickets? Are you spreading the word? How is the response?

And most of all, what can the league do for you? What kind of interaction are you looking for?

And dont you worry, as the league launch gets closer you will see a whole lot more of WPS around your town and FSC.

Did you catch WPS Thursday night on FSC?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by K C on January 17, 2009 at 11:01pm: I have ordered season tickets. We have a supporters' group here in St. Louis. You can go to this link if you would like to join our supporters' group:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=43622791466

In fact, now would be a great time to join, since we are in the process of naming our group. The voting ends Monday, so if you're interested please join now.

I was actually at the draft with a few other members of our group and it was overflow crowd in the room for the first few rounds. Next year, they will need to get a bigger room! Caught some of the coverage on FSC.

Right now, I'm eagerly awaiting two things. First, for my Athletica to announce some signings. Second, for the league schedule to come out.

I attended a really nice event for the fans a week ago, where all three of St. Louis' allocated players were available for autographs and pictures and it was also well attended. The players couldn't have been nicer and I'm guessing that maybe as many as 200 or more were signed in to get autographs and this was with only a couple of days notice. We hope that it translates into ticket sales, because it will be great to see lots of people in the stands for our home opener on April 5.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by chevy on January 18, 2009 at 5:57pm: I am hoping to volunteer for some of the Breakers' games and will buy tickets to the games I don't volunteer at. I am looking forward to the season.

I do wish more international players were signed but understand that hammering out the details takes time.

I am hoping that the Breakers will be able to get a local tv market deal done. I know the Cannons of MLL were able to get one done so I think the Breakers can as well.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Austin H on January 19, 2009 at 8:39am: chevy said:
I do wish more international players were signed but understand that hammering out the details takes time.

ditto here
I am hoping that the Breakers will be able to get a local tv market deal done. I know the Cannons of MLL were able to get one done so I think the Breakers can as well.

A very good point, expanded to all WPS teams. A local TV deal won't be that important for me, since I have season tix already, but the stronger footprint each team can have in its respective market, the better.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Austin H on January 19, 2009 at 8:39am: chevy said:
I do wish more international players were signed but understand that hammering out the details takes time.

ditto here

I am hoping that the Breakers will be able to get a local tv market deal done. I know the Cannons of MLL were able to get one done so I think the Breakers can as well.

A very good point, expanded to all WPS teams. A local TV deal won't be that important for me, since I have season tix already, but the stronger footprint each team can have in its respective market, the better.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tara McDonald on January 22, 2009 at 10:10am: A WPS caravan would be amazing. If the WPS hosted a soccer clinic in a place like Toronto I think they would be shocked at the number of girls that would participate. I know they have to sell tickets where their teams are, but I think there is something like 300k girls playing soccer in and around Toronto alone.

I think a regular season or pre-season game between FC Gold Pride and LA Sol would do well in Toronto. Christine Sinclair vs Marta would be very cool.

Steve Nash knows how big soccer is here. We need a Toronto team in the WPS! I am hoping that we will get the Game of the Week on Fox Sports World Canada!!!!!!!!!

When and where can I buy the official WPS game ball? btw- Just bought a new pair of PUMA shoes and I love them!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by chevy on January 22, 2009 at 8:25pm: Something else I would like to see is the categories shaken up in this forum. All the team categories are necessary. The Drafts, Allocation, Olympics and WPS categories are not going to serve a strong enough purpose going forward. The Olympics and WPS should be combined into a WPS and WNT category, for league news and international team happenings. Combine the Drafts and Allocations into a Transactions/Transfers category would serve a more broader purpose for drafts, trades, and signings. A new category should be created Matchups to dicuss upcoming or past matches and rivalries.

I think shaking it up this way would not only prepare the league for the season but would provide an easier outlet for fans who are retreating to the Bigsoccer WPS board.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Austin H on January 22, 2009 at 11:07pm: seconded!

chevy said:
Something else I would like to see is the categories shaken up in this forum. All the team categories are necessary. The Drafts, Allocation, Olympics and WPS categories are not going to serve a strong enough purpose going forward. The Olympics and WPS should be combined into a WPS and WNT category, for league news and international team happenings. Combine the Drafts and Allocations into a Transactions/Transfers category would serve a more broader purpose for drafts, trades, and signings. A new category should be created Matchups to dicuss upcoming or past matches and rivalries.

I think shaking it up this way would not only prepare the league for the season but would provide an easier outlet for fans who are retreating to the Bigsoccer WPS board.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by StarCityFan on January 23, 2009 at 8:33am: My understanding is that there are plans to move this whole website to a new, friendlier platform, so I'm hoping some reorganization will come along with that. I hope they listen to you because your suggestions are good.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by K C on January 23, 2009 at 9:20am: I agree with the above posts. The current setup was great when the league was 6 months to a year off and the Olympics were going on. But now the drafts are over, the Olympics are over, and it's time for a new setup. Obviously, there will still be drafts next year, but that could be included as part of player transaction heading as stated above. I guess there will be two drafts next year, the Expansion Draft and the College Draft.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Berly16 on January 24, 2009 at 8:31am: I want Briana Scurry traded off the Freedom...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by chevy on January 24, 2009 at 2:59pm: Berly16 said:
I want Briana Scurry traded off the Freedom...

Yeah I would want that too if I were a Freedom fan. I was actually surprised she got drafted at all. Marta will light her up if she gets the starting nod in the opener.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chase on January 25, 2009 at 7:00am: Firstly, I want Briana Scurry traded off the Freedom as well!!! We should trade Scurry for Solo!

Second, if local stations were to start covering teams, it would be nice to have something like mlslive.tv for the WPS. I think that this would be the perfect expansion for the league and an opportunity to earn money from subscriptions and banner ads.

Lastly, please get rid of Scurry! She may have allies in Kristine Lilly and Greg Ryan, but my generation has moved onto bigger AND better things.; ▶ Reply to This