Sports Then and Now

St. Louis Athletica announced their home and away schedule for 2010 on Thursday. The second season of the WPS will show four more games per team, bringing the total of games played to 24. The Athletica will host 12 home games at Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park this year.

A major highlight of the year starts immediately, with the Athletica hosting WPS Player of the Year Marta and FC Gold Pride on April 11.

“I love that we open up against Marta,” goalkeeper Hope Solo said. “Now that is the way to kick-off the season! Big game right out of the gate, you got to love that.”

The Athletica will also face FC Gold Pride on Wednesday, June 9.

St. Louis will travel to Chicago on Saturday April 17 to take on the Red Stars in their home opener. They will be looking for redemption as Chicago beat the Athletica in their home opener in 2009.

With the new 24-game schedule, the Athletica will play the seven other WPS teams at least three times each. They will face the Washington Freedom, Atlanta Beat and Chicago Red Stars four times.

St. Louis is also scheduled to appear on Fox Soccer Channel, FSC.

“This is a good schedule,” said team captain Lori Chalupny. “I like that we have a lot of home games early in the year. Plus, we have a three-game home stand in June. We definitely have a chance to get off to a great start this year the way the schedule has shaken out.”

Below is the 2010 Saint Louis Athletica schedule, home game are in bold. All times are subject to change.