Women’s Professional Soccer held their 1st Championship Final last Saturday, and it had everything American sports fans love. It had the dominant, fan favorite squad (LA Sol) against the ragtag underdogs (Sky Blue FC), who had heroically beat Saint Louis Athletica in a 1-0 game a week ago today for the right to face Marta and LA for the title. And like any good sports story, it had those underdogs besting their personal Goliath and hoisting the Cup.

Sky Blue was in dead last during the second half of the season. Their coach was dismissed under some shady circumstances early on. US National Team vet Christy Rampone took the reins as player/coach, and she led the team to the playoffs and – ultimately – the 1st WPS title. Natasha Kai, the mercurial forward, was a big reason for the team’s success, but it was really their defense that won them the title. No one could score on them at the end of the season.

Not even Marta, who was the star of the first WPS season. Just like the early Gals, the Sol were dominant during the regular season, but they couldn’t come up big when it mattered most. Marta has unfortunately had a bad habit of choking in her biggest games, and the fact she couldn’t get the Sol the title is definitely a disappointment for the Brazilian star. I hope she – and the rest of the best female players in the world – will be back in 2010 to compete.

While the inaugural 2009 season was thrilling, I am betting 2010 and beyond will be even better. Women’s pro soccer can succeed in America. It needs us though, its local soccer fanatics, to survive long term. Let’s all continue to support the league next year, and let’s hope it continues to deliver top shelf soccer. I know I will be back, and that my attention will be rapt. It’s the ladies turn, guys. Let’s all take note. The women can play. And they are here to stay.

Last Saturday was a historic day. It was the date of the first ever WPS Playoff Game. It was also the first WPS game I ever watched with my wife. She is not a huge soccer fan, but we were killing time in a hotel room before meeting friends, and I got her to watch the 2nd half. Now she is hooked. Talk about exciting! It’s been proven. WPS can deliver thrills. 

Natasha Kai of Sky Blue FC earned her “star” status with the first goal of that 2nd half. It was classic Kai, who used her athleticism and speed to score. My wife was less impressed with her soccer prowess than she was with Kai’s multitude of tattoos. 20 minutes later, the Washington Freedom leveled the score, but with only 5 minutes left, NJ won it. 

Now, the Super Semifinal will be played today between the Jersey Girls and SLA (Saint Louis Athletica), which features my favorite Women’s Nats player, Hope Solo. The game is @ 6:00 CST on FSC. The winner of that game will move on to play in the WPS Final on Saturday. That game will also be televised on Fox Soccer Channel, starting @ 2:30 CST.

It’s hard (and sad) to know that this will be the last week of the inaugural WPS season (not counting the All-Star Game, which is August 30 @ 4:30 CST). I have enjoyed writing about the league and next week’s Wednesday update will be the last of the year. Know this though: Come 2010, PLTO will cover the best women’s league in the world again.

How could we not? Like I said, it’s soccer, and my wife likes to watch it!

To (once again) quote Jim Mora: “Playoffs?” Already? Playoffs? Seriously. I wish the WPS season was longer, I really do, but unfortunately it is still a new organization (one that has sustained its initial success nicely if you ask me) so only 20 games will have to do for Year One. But, I bet this league does stay alive and entertain us for decades.

Why wouldn’t it? Look at the excitement the final week provided. Sky Blue went on the road and beat FCGP to keep their playoff dreams alive. Then, after Washington booked their ticket by brutally beating Sky Blue, the NJ Girls still got in the playoffs because the Sol decided to cap off their stellar season with a narrow win over the Breakers.

Boston ends up the one team with the most regrets, missing out on the playoffs by a mere point. But, I said they were going to be mediocre all season, so I am not surprised. I am surprised that CRS missed the playoffs. I was way off on that one. Now, only four teams remain though, and only one team will survive the playoffs to face the awesome Sol. 

Tune in this Saturday on FSC when the Jersey Girls go back to our Nation’s Capital again, and come back to PLTO next Wednesday when I preview the Super Semifinal featuring that game’s winner vs. SLA (which will be on FSC on Wednesday night). Then make sure you watch FSC next Saturday to see the Final @ 3:30 EST before coming back two Wednesdays from now for my WPS Final Review and 2009 Awards.

Whoever plays the Sol will likely lose. But, the great thing about WPS is that you never know what can happen. I personally like Hope Solo and SLA to lift the Cup. Well, I just like Hope Solo. In any event, the first season of WPS is winding down. Hopefully, the history of WPS is just starting up.

2009 WPS Power Rankings (08/05)

Last Week’s Ranking in Parenthesis…

1. Los Angeles Sol (1): Yes, the Sol looked ugly losing to the Red Stars. But, they had also already clinched the regular season title and were biding their (considerable) time until the inaugural WPS Championship.    
2. Saint Louis Athletica (2): SLA clinched the #2 spot in the playoffs by picking up a win in their usual style, a shutout. SLA scares LA not just because they are good, but because they save their best for crunch time.    
3.  Washington Freedom (4): The Freedom’s big win over Boston was tainted by a tough loss to FCGP. They will control their own destiny this last week, but a loss to Sky Blue and a Breakers’ win could break their heart.   
4. Sky Blue FC (5): Sky Blue can complete an unbelievable turnaround if they can qualify for the playoffs this week. Written off by many (e.g. me), they are 2 games away from turning early season turmoil into a possible title.  
5. Boston Breakers (3): Boston had a tragic week, losing two one goal games on the road to their two closest rivals. Now, they are in jeopardy of failing to make the playoffs. Not as bad as failing a drug test, right Manny & Big Papi?
6. Chicago Red Stars (6): CRS has been eliminated from the playoffs, but no one told them apparently. They beat the Sol on Sunday, and they did it by scoring 3 goals. In the Sol’s 18 previous games, they gave up only 6.
7. FC Gold Pride (7): As you can tell from the rankings, teams with colors in their names have not fared as well this season. But, like the Red Stars and Sky Blue, Gold Pride is finishing the season strong. Can they play spoiler vs. Sky Blue?

2009 WPS Power Rankings (07/29)

Last Week’s Ranking in Parenthesis…

1. Los Angeles Sol (1): LA already clinched home field advantage. I’m not kidding. They are that good. If they lose the Cup, it will be a miracle. But, this is soccer, and it could happen. I wouldn’t bet against them though.  
2. Saint Louis Athletica (3): A long week with two games ends with one win and one draw for SLA. They are now #2 on the table, and #2 on my Power Rankings. I think they can knock off LA. Well, if anyone can that is.    
3. Boston Breakers (2): Boston picked up a tie against Sky Blue, but they needed more @ home. However, because they have been more consistent than the New Jersey side this year, they still nip SBFC by two spots. 
4.  Washington Freedom (5): The Freedom went on the road to Chicago and won. Whether it is WPS or MLS, that seem to be happening a ton in Chicago this year. Their impressive wins moves them to #4 on this list. 
5. Sky Blue FC (4): One good tie against Boston on the road cannot erase one unfortunate loss to SLA on the road this week for Sky Blue. This team is capable of great things, but I think they need more consistency.   
6. Chicago Red Stars (6): CRS has been elimanted from the playoffs? Already? Short season, sure, but I am a little shocked to see them make such an early exit. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them now play spoiler though. 
7. FC Gold Pride (7): Well, like the Red Stars, FCGP and one of my personal faves, Ms. Chastain, have been eliminated from the pool of potential playoff sides. It’s sad to see them go, but they lost too many games. C’est la vie. Good luck next year.