A different kind of challenge...

Today marks another milestone in this history of WPS. This afternoon the league will replace the fanfare, media events, and the enourmous excitment that surrounded both the USWNT allocation and international player draft with the four round draft of those who remain.

While every team is looking to fill specific places on the field and round out their initial roster, the majority of the players who registed for the draft today will not be one of the 28 players selected. For many of them today is a day that provides a little bit of inspiration, a little bit opportunity.

For those not selected today WPS gives them the chance to fulfill a dream or put in front of them a challenge to get back in the game and see if they can play soccer at the highest level in the world, in what will be the best league in the world. Many of them might spend their days as teachers, coaches, sales associates, or marketing professionals, while spending their early mornings and late evenings in the gym or on the field working to try and replicate what might have provided them with a different sense of joy and challenge in their life while being a college soccer player, W-League workhorse, or former WUSA player.

Each individual is motivated by different means, focused on different priorities in life, and challenged by different activities. When the WPS season kicks off in April every team will have a few players who are just looking for the chance to suit up for every game and fulfill the opportunity to see if they can make it at the highest level. We will see star forwards from the collegiate game playing left defense, All-American center midfielders coming on in reserve on the wings.

But for all of the players eligible in today's WPS draft, today, the future tryouts and opportunities mark the begining of a chance. A chance to see if they can make it, a chance that might never again manifest itself in the opportunity WPS has presented today and in the future months. I look forward to seeing those who take the advantage of the opportunity and provide the heart and soul of many WPS franchises. A determined and motivated underdog is a strong combination and there are many players out their just waiting for a chance. I look forward to watching it begin today...