Women’s professional soccer—the concept—returned to America on Sunday with the smashing debut of Women’s Professional Soccer—the league. A crowd of 14,832, more than double the league’s high-end goal for average attendance, helped make for a festive atmosphere at The Home Depot Center where the host Los Angeles Sol posted a 2-0 victory over the Washington Freedom. Allison Falk’s name was etched in eternal history as the scorer of the very first WPS goal.

“I feel like today just caps the undertaking of so many people,” said Abby Wambach, who played 90 minutes for the Freedom in her first match since breaking her leg last summer. “(WPS Commissioner) Tonya Antonucci first and foremost. She’s the one who started it. Finally we have a day. This is the day.”

Wambach was especially joyous considering her side was on the short end of the score. It was indicative of the festive mood surrounding the game.

“Obviously the result wasn’t what I had hoped for, but I don’t care,” she continued. “At this point, that is so far from my mind. More importantly, we have a league.”

That laissez-faire attitude is not likely to last for long, but at the outset even the losers will walk away smiling.

“Not winning is hard for me,” Freedom defender Cat Whitehill said. “At the same time, this is amazing. This is a dream come true for me. I have to make the most of this moment. I’ve been dreaming of this day since I was little. Even with the loss, I’m pretty excited to be a part of it.”

Sol players were predictably more focused on the result. Captain Shannon Boxx said it was good for the home team to win because, “that means hopefully everybody comes back.”

“I’m very happy first and foremost for the result,” Marta said through a translator. “It was an even game with two teams that played very, very hard and it was good for female football.”

To that end, the quality of the soccer exceeded expectations just as the size of the crowd did. Jim Gabarra, whose first game as Freedom coach was the WUSA inaugural game eight years ago, said, “From my experience, the level of play was better than that of the WUSA inaugural game.”

Both teams enjoyed significant spurts of quality possession, and there were numerous close calls on both ends. The Freedom had one golden opportunity to score in each half. Late in the first Whitehill started a lightning-fast buildup with a long ball to Sonia Bompastor, who quickly redirected it to Wambach. Sol keeper Karina LeBlanc raced off her line and made one of her three saves. A second half flurry ended with Lori Lindsey beating LeBlanc only to find the woodwork.

The Sol scored twice, but also forced Freedom ‘keeper Briana Scurry into six saves.

“The game deserved more goals,” Gabarra said.

And then there is the story of the first goal. History will remember that rookie defender Allison Falk, two days shy of her 22nd birthday, had the header that beat Scurry. But did she really touch it?

“It was a great ball from Aya (Miyama, who sent in a free kick),” Falk said. “I just went for it. I didn’t think I was going to get it, but I did and it went in. It was a very surreal experience.”

“Nope,” retorted Scurry. “I actually had the ball in my hands and then she hit me so when I went (backwards) and that’s where the ball went.”

Whether or not Falk got a head to the ball is open to debate. That WPS made a successful debut is not.

[La Jolla, California - March 16th, 2009]

SSC Ireland defender Jill Farley had this to say about her team and the tournament: “Firstly, I would like to say how much I love each and everyone of these girls. I appreciate them very much, and I’m very thankful that I am able to be on such a kind and talented team. our team bond is very special, in a way that every girl gets a long and we all have fun together, including our coach Gaff. Some of my best friends are on the team and they have made a huge impact on my life.

Even though the roster has changed several times in the past few years, the heart of the team has not. I believe Ireland has the most dedication and desire I have ever experienced, and each player completely deserves to be on the team. There is a lot of potential that will take some of these girls very far, and I can’t wait to see where we go as a team and individually. Our success at Nomads was very exciting and fun, it was a great team bonding trip. We even got a suprise trip to the beach!  We are really looking forward to state cup, and working hard to do well!”

NEW YORK — Major League Soccer has reached an agreement with The Paulson Family that will bring an MLS team to Portland in 2011, MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced Friday. The announcement of Portland as the League’s 18th club comes just two days after Vancouver was announced as the League’s 17th team, also beginning play in 2011.

“A city with such a storied soccer tradition deserves an MLS team, and we are proud to have Portland join the top level of professional soccer in our region,” Garber said. “Merritt Paulson and his family provide a vibrant and innovative ownership group that truly loves the world’s game and we believe PGE Park will provide a world-class soccer environment for soccer fans.”

Known for its fervent support of soccer since the heyday of the North American Soccer League’s Portland Timbers in the 1970s, Portland completes this round of expansion for MLS, which could expand to 20 teams by 2012 if two additional cities are deemed ready to join. The Portland MLS team will retain the storied Timbers name.

Merritt Paulson is the owner and president of Shortstop, LLC, parent company of the Portland Beavers and Portland Timbers professional sports franchises. Before assuming ownership of the baseball and soccer teams, he was the Senior Director of Marketing and Business Development at NBA Entertainment in New York.

“Today is a historic day for Soccer City, USA, and it is a big win for our economy, our community and for soccer fans everywhere,” Paulson said. “We are in a position to make this announcement today because of our incredible fans and strong leadership from city leaders. Not only does this bring Major League Soccer to Portland, but it creates hundreds of jobs, protects taxpayers from risk and shines a positive national and international spotlight on Portland and the state of Oregon.”

On March 11, Portland’s city council paved the way for today’s MLS announcement, voting to approve a proposal to improve PGE Park for MLS and to build a new ballpark for the Portland Beavers Triple-A baseball team at the site of the Memorial Coliseum.

“The Portland City Council’s recent approval of the framework for the renovations of PGE Park was a key factor in Portland becoming our 18th team,” Commissioner Garber added. “While I understand that there are some additional steps to formally conclude this process, we are confident that the package will be finalized in the next few months.”

Upgrades to PGE Park will transform the historic venue into a world-class soccer facility and provide an even more authentic fan experience for the MLS Timbers. The improvement will add several state-of-the-art amenities, including permanent seats and concessions on the east side of the park, widened concourses, improved player facilities and a restaurant with a view of the field.

The Timbers, who first entered the Portland professional sports landscape in the 1970s as a member of the NASL, will field a team in the United Soccer Leagues First Division in 2009 and 2010.

The game in its pure form is very simple; a ball, two targets to score on, and the ability to set up a field almost anywhere. The game is played on sand, gym floors, parking lots and almost anywhere you have enough room to set up two target goals. Two people can play the game or 22 people.

Inclusiveness makes the game attractive; short, tall, slow, quick, fast and male or female. Anyone interested with the ability to move can play the game. This is another reason so many play the game, everyone has a chance.

The best part of the game has to be the expressive side. An individual can create fantastic athletic movement with the ball that captures the imagination of others. Combining the mental and athletic capabilities of an athlete can be an uplifting experience for all. Demonstrations of athletic prowess with artistic flair remind us all that we are capable of great things. Too often we limit our selves as people through fear, self-doubt, and a lack of imagination. Pele, Maradona, George Best, and Johan Cryuff remind us of the possibilities. I think this is what makes the game Beautiful.

The $60 million would go to renovating PGE Park to meet MLS specifications, and building a new ballpark for the Portland Beavers, the city’s Triple-A baseball team.

Major League Soccer is expected to choose two expansion teams by March 19. Four cities are in the running: Portland, Vancouver, Ottawa and St. Louis.

Merritt Paulson, son of former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, would pay $40 million for the franchise and contribute $12.5 million toward construction. He also pledged to raise $11.8 million from other sources.

Part of the package had involved using $15 million in tax revenue expected from an urban renewal district. On Wednesday the council took the district out of the deal.

Paulson said after the marathon meeting that he was concerned about the $15 million “hole” in the proposal, and whether the MLS would hold that against Portland when making a decision.

“We’re still moving ahead,” he added.

A citizen’s task force recommended the financing proposal, which was necessary to demonstrate the city’s commitment to an MLS team.

Mayor Sam Adams and commissioner Randy Leonard both supported Paulson’s effort and worked to craft a plan that would not use money from the city’s general fund.

“It’s a tough economy and now is the time for us to take smart risks and plan for the future of Portland,” Adams said.

Paulson currently owns the Beavers and the Portland Timbers, a United Soccer League team on level below the MLS. Both teams play at PGE Park. Part of the MLS requirement for a franchise is a dedicated soccer stadium, which means the Beavers would need to find a new home.

The meeting was attended by some 100 Timbers fans, many wearing green and white scarves. After the meeting, one fan asked Paulson to autograph her scarf.

 Once again, this is a time to facilitate personal growth and use this opportunity to parent. Parents don’t stress, enjoy this opportunity to observe your child and their friends grow and learn about who they are in a competitive environment. There will be challenges you can help your son or daughter deal with and teach them how to handle them in a manner that fosters growth and development.

Coaches can stress at this time as well, so be aware all are at a heightened state of emotion. Coaches stress for the same reason as the parents as they have invested time, energy, experience and passion into the team and individuals. When dealing with conflicted issues remember the 24hour rule, and don’t approach the coach immediately after a game. Call the coach and set up a time to meet in person after everyone has had a chance to get the immediate emotional impact out of their system.

Remember we decide if we are happy or sad, we decide to react positively or negatively and the decisions we make in an instant can have a life long impact. I can tell you I have made the decision to enjoy this Spring and my child and I am deciding to react in the most positive fashion to the world around me. Looking forward to Spring and State Cup.