WPS Announces Opening Games for 2011 Season

Posted on January 06, 2011 by John Wingspread Howell

One week before the 2011 WPS Draft, Women’s Professional Soccer today announced its first two opening weekends for the 2011 WPS Season, the third season of WPS soccer featuring the best female soccer players from around the world. The league also announced the first two games of its “WPS Sunday on FSC” national television schedule on Fox Soccer Channel.

The expansion Western New York Flash will be featured on national television versus the Boston Breakers from Harvard Stadium, in it’s season opener, Sunday April 17th. The match will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel.

The new Western New York team will feature last season’s WPS Defender of the Year, Ali Riley, formerly of league champion FC Gold Pride, along with Swedish international, All-Star striker Christine Sinclair leading a talented roster to be coached by former New Zealand international Aaran Lines.

The 2011 WPS Season will kick off with its first game on Saturday, April 9th as the Atlanta Beat, playing in their second season in WPS, host the Boston Breakers at KSU Soccer Stadium in Kennesaw, GA.

The opening week on Fox Soccer Channel will see 2009 WPS Champion Sky Blue FC open at their home confines of Yurcak Field in Piscataway, NJ, as they face off against regional rival Philadelphia Independence, last year’s runner-up in the 2010 WPS Championship presented by Citi, on Sunday, April 10th at 6pm.

In another key home opener on the second weekend (April 16th), the Philadelphia Independence will host magicTalk SC/Washington Freedom at their new home field at Widener University.

The full 2011 WPS Season schedule will be announced in February. The league’s six clubs will contest 18 regular season games from April through August, which will be followed by a four-team playoff and the 2011 WPS Championship presented by Citi on August 27-28. For individual game ticket info go to www.womensprosoccer.com or follow all the news on twitter at www.twitter.com/womensprosoccer.

Saturday, April 9
Atlanta Beat vs. Boston Breakers – KSU Soccer Stadium – 7pm

Sunday, April 10
Sky Blue FC vs. Philadelphia Independence – Yurcak Field – 6pm *FSC

Saturday, April 16
Philadelphia Independence vs. magicTalk SC/Washington Freedom – Widener University – 7pm
Atlanta Beat vs. Sky Blue FC – KSU Soccer Stadium – 7pm

Sunday, April 17
Boston Breakers vs. Western New York Flash – Harvard Stadium – 6pm *FSC