Since the Division 1 Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league suspended play for 2012, the Boston Breakers management have decided to field the team in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) for the 2012 season. The Breakers are currently looking for a new home field to replace Harvard Stadium, where they played WPS games.
The WPSL has launched a new semi-pro division featuring between eight and 10 teams for the 2012 season. The league will be based in the East Coast and Midwest and allows players from WPS to remain in form as the League moves to resume play in 2013. The new semi-pro league has no restrictions on the types of players each team can roster - a team can be all professional players or can have a mix of professional and amateur players. Being pro-am, WPSL does not have Division 2 or Division 3 status.
The WPS Western New York Flash has also committed to the new semi-pro WPSL division and will compete against WPSL teams like the Chicago Red Stars and FC Indiana. The Orange County Waves and Bay Area Breeze have already been operating as pro-am clubs in the WPSL, so that college players wishing to retain college eligibility cannot play on those teams.
"We have put together a plan that will allow WPS teams individually to join the WPSL in the Elite League," said WPSL founder and commisioner Jerry Zanelli. "Officially, they will not be professional teams, but would allow our top professional players to play in a highly competitive league."
Read more about the WPSL's pro ambitions here.
Founded 15 years ago, the WPSL has grown to the largest women's soccer league in the world with over 70 clubs in the amateur division. The Boston Breakers are affiliated with the Boston Aztec Breakers reserves who compete in the amateur division of the WPSL.
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