It was a very dark, dark day in the footballgirl world on the 28th day of this year. We say goodbye to one of the founding teams of the Professional league in America. The Los Angeles Sol was folded and stopped all operations on and off the field. All 19 players under contract are available to other teams in a draft on February 4th 2010.

The club had been under the ownership of AEG during the league's first season and this ownership was given back to the league in November 2009. After many weeks of negotiating with a possible investor the team which is home to Brazilian superstar Marta, could not continue.

"It is a sad day for the franchise, staff, players and fans. Until I see our players on other rosters I will continue to work for the organization. This is a very special group of players and

I know they will be successful wherever they go. On behalf of our entire staff, we want to thank AEG and WPS for a great 2009."

General Manager and Acting Head Coach Charlie Naimo.

 

“While it’s regrettable to lose the Los Angeles market as part of our WPS footprint, we are pleased to have two new teams coming into the league in 2010,”- WPS Commissioner Tonya Antonucci.

“The league and our ownership committee worked incredibly hard over the past month to complete the transaction. In the end, we ran out of time and came up short of where we needed to be funding-wise for the Sol in 2010.”

“Ownership changes are part of pro sports, particularly in a young league, and we have made solid progress in growing WPS from where we were last season.We believe Los Angeles is a healthy, viable market for women’s pro soccer and a city where our league can again thrive with an LA franchise in the future.”said Antonucci.

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All the team owners and members of the Board are confident that this setback will be quickly overcome by the exciting developments that the league has in store for the 2010 WPS Season.

“This includes two new franchises, the debut of a brand new stadium built specifically for WPS, a longer regular season and an even better product on the field with incoming talent from the college ranks and the many top internationals that have been signed in the off-season. Without question, this season is poised to build on our successful launch year.”

WPS Board Member and Atlanta Beat Chairman T. Fitz Johnson

The feeling among the staf and players was summed up by Canadian international Karina LeBlanc.

"I cannot tell you how heartbroken I am to hear of the news of the Sol, "I am sad for myself, my teammates, the organization and for LA as we will not get to play in front of our home crowd and be in this amazing area. I have truly come to love LA.

I know we all still have hope until the dispersal draft that a miracle will happen. If not, thank you to the fans and everyone who supported and believed in us as you've made permanent memories in all our hearts."

The draft of the 19 players who now have no club will take place february 4th 2010. The teams will select in the following order.

Round 1
1. Atlanta Beat
2. Philadelphia Independence
3. FC Gold Pride (Bay Area)
4. Chicago Red Stars
5. Boston Breakers

6. Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY)
7. Washington Freedom
8. Saint Louis Athletica

Round 2
9. Saint Louis Athletica
10. Washington Freedom
11. Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY)
12. Boston Breakers
13. Chicago Red Stars
14. FC Gold Pride (Bay Area)
15. Philadelphia Independence
16. Atlanta Beat

Round 3
17. Atlanta Beat
18. Philadelphia Independence
19. FC Gold Pride (Bay Area)
20. Chicago Red Stars
21. Boston Breakers

22. Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY)
23. Washington Freedom
24. Saint Louis Athletica