Boston Breakers (WPS)
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| Full name | Boston Women’s Soccer, LLC | ||
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| Nickname(s) | Breakers | ||
| Founded | 2008 | ||
| Stadium | Harvard Stadium (Capacity: 30,323) |
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| Chairman |  Andy Crossley |
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| Manager | Lisa Cole |
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| League | WPSL Elite League | ||
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Boston Breakers are an American professional soccer club based in Boston, Massachusetts which participate in WPSL Elite League. They replace the original Breakers, who competed in the defunct Women's United Soccer Association, as the Boston area's professional women's soccer team. Since 2009, the Breakers have played their home games at Harvard Stadium, on the campus of Harvard University.
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[edit] History
The formation of Women's Professional Soccer was announced on September 4, 2007, during which time it was also announced that a franchise had been awarded to Boston. The Boston Breakers franchise was officially unveiled on October 26, 2008. At the time it was the only professional women's sports team in Massachusetts.[1] As early as May 2007, Joe Cummings was named the President and General Manager. He previously worked for the Breakers franchise in the WUSA.[2] In September 2007, Tony DiCicco was appointed as the club's first head coach.
During the WPS national team player allocation on September 16, 2008 the Breakers acquired Heather Mitts and former Breakers players, Kristine Lilly and Angela Hucles.[3] The club acquired Amy Rodriguez as the first overall pick in the 2009 WPS Soccer Draft in St. Louis on January 30, 2009.[4]
The Breakers played their debut match against FC Gold Pride in Santa Clara, California. Its first home match was against St. Louis Athletica on April 11, 2009.[5]
[edit] 2012 season
On January 16, 2012 the Breakers announced that they signed United States U-23 national team defender, Bianca D'Agostino.[6]
The league announced on January 30, 2012 that the 2012 Women's Professional Soccer season was suspended.[7] On February 9, 2012 the club announced it would compete in the WPSL Elite League for the 2012 season, with the expectation that it would rejoin the WPS for the 2013 season.[8] The semi-pro league has no restrictions on the types of players, whether they be professional or amateur.
Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher returned to her former club, Turbine Potsdam, after playing for the Breakers during the 2010 and 2011 seasons because of the WPS suspension.[9]
Australian national team forward, Kyah Simon, was acquired by the Breakers in anticipation of the 2012 season. Simon scored two goals against Norway in the 2011 World Cup, which advanced Australia to the quarter-finals.[10] Her goals made her the first ever Australian to score a goal in a World Cup tournament.[11]
[edit] Players
[edit] Pillars of Excellence
In summer 2009, the Breakers began an annual tradition of honoring legends from the past with commemorative banners at Harvard Stadium.[12] The award's title was influenced by the stadium's iconic colonnade. Players from both Boston Breakers (WUSA) and the WPS entry are considered.
Maren Meinert became the first inductee during a halftime ceremony on May 17, 2009 when the Breakers hosted the Washington Freedom. During her final season in 2003 Meinert was named the WUSA Most Valuable Player for the regular season and MVP of the WUSA All-Star Game.[12]
Angela Hucles was inducted on May 1, 2010 during a home game against the Chicago Red Stars.[13]
| Inducted | Player | Position | League | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Kristine Lilly |
Midfielder/Forward | WUSA/WPS | 2001-03, 2009-10 |
| May 1, 2010 | Angela Hucles |
Midfielder | WUSA/WPS | 2001-03, 2009 |
| May 17, 2009 |  Maren Meinert |
Midfielder/Forward | WUSA | 2001-03 |
[edit] Current squad
Where a player has not declared an international allegiance, nation is determined by place of birth.
Squad correct as of February 29, 2012.[14]
[edit] Ownership and team management
Michael Stoller is a managing partner of Boston Women's Soccer, LLC, the ownership group overseeing the Breakers.[15]
Tony DiCicco served as head coach from the teams 2009 inaugural season through 2011. Lisa Cole replaced DicCicco for the 2012 season.
[edit] Records and statistics
| Year | League | Pos. | Playoffs | W | L | D | Pts. | GF | GA | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | WPS | 4th | First Round | 5 | 9 | 4 | 19 | 19 | 24 | 4-3-2 | 1-6-2 |
| 2010 | WPS | 2nd | Super Semifinal | 10 | 8 | 6 | 36 | 36 | 28 | 5-6-1 | 5-2-5 |
| 2009 | WPS | 5th | Did not qualify | 7 | 9 | 4 | 25 | 18 | 20 | 4-3-3 | 3-6-1 |
[edit] Stadium
- Harvard Stadium: Allston, Massachusetts (2009– )
[edit] References
- ^ Eldred, Sheila (25 January 2009). "Call It a Comeback With women's pro soccer ready to strike with a new league, Boston Breakers head coach Tony DiCicco, 60, believes that, this time, failure is not an option.". The Boston Globe.
- ^ Belson, Ken (9 July 2009). "Women's soccer sets the bar low; New league tackles daunting times with start-up mentality;". The New York Times (Cambridge, Massachussetts): p. 11. "You have to have some pioneer spirit, said Joe Cummings, the president and general manager of the Boston Breakers, who worked for the franchise in the old league, too. If you're not willing to make the sacrifices beyond the white line, this is not for you."
- ^ Daniels, Mark (17 September 2008). "Boston Breakers net stars". Boston Herald. http://news.bostonherald.com/sports/soccer/general/view/2008_09_17_Boston_Breakers_net_stars/srvc=home&position=recent. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
- ^ Garcia, Mark (30 January 2009). "A-Rod is No. 1 pick in WPS Draft". The Orange County Register.
- ^ McClatchy (11 April 2009). "BRIEF: Women's Professional Soccer: Schmedes, Breakers set for second game". Odessa American (Texas).
- ^ "Breakers Sign Midfielder Bianca D'Agostino". Norwood, Massachusetts: Boston Breakers. 16 January 2012. http://www.womensprosoccer.com/boston/news/general/120118-breakers-sign-dagostino. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
- ^ "WPS Suspends Play for 2012 Season". Women's Professional Soccer. 30 January 2012. http://www.womensprosoccer.com/Home/news/press_releases/120130-wps-suspends-2012season.aspx. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
- ^ "Breakers to compete in new WPSL Elite Women’s Soccer League in 2012". Boston Breakers. 9 February 2012. http://www.womensprosoccer.com/Home/boston/news/general/120209-Breakers-are-back.aspx. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
- ^ Tim Grainey (27 February 2012). "Flight Abroad For WPS Veterans". Soccer365.com. http://www.soccer365.com/news/features/the_grainey_report/11814/flight_abroad_for_wps_veterans. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
- ^ "Success story". Blacktown Sun. 27 February 2012. . .
- ^ "Kyah Simon joins Boston Breakers". Football Federation Australia. footballaustralia.com.au. 13 January 2012. http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/kyah-simon-joins-boston-breakers/44347. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
- ^ a b "Former Breaker Maren Meinert to be Inducted Into Pillars of Excellence at May 17 Home Game". Boston Breakers. 5 May, 2009. http://www.womensprosoccer.com/boston/news/general/090505-pillars-of-excellence.
- ^ "Former Breaker Angela Hucles to be Inducted into Pillars of Excellence at May 1 Home Game". Boston Breakers Boston Breakers Boston Breakers. 29 April 2010. http://www.womensprosoccer.com/boston/news/general/100429-hucles-tribute.
- ^ "Playesrs – Seattle Sounders Football Club". Boston Breakers. http://www.womensprosoccer.com/Home/boston/players/index.aspx. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ^ "Women's Professional Soccer League to Launch in 2009". PR Newswire. 4 September 2007.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Boston Breakers (WPS) |
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