Philadelphia’s Proud Soccer Tradition
Philadelphia and its neighboring communities have a rich history in sports. The fans, players, and teams that represent this great city share a common bond of tradition, toughness, and passion for sports excellence and competition. Understanding this distinction, Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) was proud to announce in March 2009 that Philadelphia was awarded the eighth franchise for women’s pro soccer, joining seven other WPS cities – Bay Area, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York, St. Louis, and Washington, DC. Later in 2009, Atlanta joined the league as the ninth franchise, to round out the WPS 2010 season with nine teams. We are extremely excited to start play in spring 2010, and experience the EXTRAORDINARY!
The Philadelphia area has one of the fastest growing soccer followings in the nation, and boasts nearly half a million registered youth and adult soccer participants in the Delaware Valley Region. This area’s youth soccer players, teams, clubs, and leagues are among the country’s most elite and prestigious, having delivered thousands of scholar athletes to premier college programs, many of them All-Americans, and hundreds to the Women’s National Team and international soccer organizations. Congratulations Philadelphia. You deserve this honor!
“Philadelphia is one of the greatest, most passionate sports cities in the Country. It is terrific that we have an opportunity to share in the wave of excitement for women’s pro soccer that is now sweeping the Nation and world. On a more local level, girls will finally have a tangible dream to play pro soccer! Having this team in Philadelphia empowers our youth to strive to be the best they can be, and take full advantage of the very real possibility to play professional soccer.”
Kelly Rowland, former All-American Soccer Player at Florida State University; former FC Delco Player
Philadelphia Independence Team Ownership
Philadelphia’s front office is led by owner David Halstead. David is a life-long sports fan with passion for building and sustaining successful businesses. He serves as the team’s President and CEO, and is committed to building the Philadelphia Independence franchise into a model sports organization – one that is the envy of the League, and is a permanent and positive fixture in Philadelphia. Says David, “I feel strongly that female athletes have earned the right to dream about and compete in a professional sports organization that strives for world-class play and teaches hardworking values. These ideas, together with our many FAN FIRST and outreach programs, distinctive coaches, roster of outstanding soccer players, and commitment to youth development in our clubs and neighborhoods will result in a team loaded with talent that the city is proud to support.”
Ownership Commitment and Road Ahead
“We’ve said all along that WPS will be a league built on long-term growth and stability, and expansion into Philadelphia is simply reflective of that strategy. With such strong leadership and an enthusiastic core fan base, the WPS Philadelphia team will no doubt be a successful venture on its own, while simultaneously contributing to the overall awareness and popularity of women’s soccer in North America.”
Tonya Antonucci, WPS Commissioner
Together with all of its affiliates, sponsors, and business partners, the Independence organization is committed to bring Philadelphia at team that:
- Is recognized and respected for its outstanding play and tenacity
- The fans love to watch and are proud to support
- Continues to build on Philly’s rich and winning pro sports traditions
- Our soccer youth looks to for its modern day heroes and role models
- Gives back to its community through its philanthropic efforts, and
- Our corporate and business partners are honored to be affiliated with
With great anticipation for the start of the 2010 season, we will all work hard to live up to these expectations and look forward to the partnership and involvement of the Philadelphia fans and communities. REAL SOCCER. REAL PHILLY.
