WPS '09 season preview: women's league finally set to kick off again

By Kathryn L. Knapp, Special to SI.com, Goal.com

Brazilian star Marta, a three-time FIFA World Player of the Year award winner, will be WPS' premier attraction during its debut season. Shelly Castellano/Icon SMI

Six years after the WUSA folded, the new league, Women's Professional Soccer (WPS), is ready to kick off with Sunday's Washington-Los Angeles debut match. Goal.com's Kathryn L. Knapp breaks down the seven teams competing for the inaugural championship.

Boston Breakers

Stadium: Harvard Stadium, Cambridge, Mass.

Coach: Tony DiCicco, the all-time winningest coach in U.S. women's history, amassed a record of 103-8-8 and the 1999 Women's World Cup title. He has an eye for talent and it shows from front to back.

Veteran Kristine Lilly will lead the team both on and off the field. The American midfielder leads the U.S. women in all-time appearances with 340 and 129 goals. England international Kelly Smith and U.S. regular Angela Hucles will add stability and an attacking flavor to the midfield. Amy Rodriguez will freshen the attack, joined by Brazil's Fabiana and a handful of other options.

Defensively, U.S. international Amy LePeilbet and England international Alex Scott have 64 national-team caps between them, while bringing a youth factor to the back line. Boston will put a quality product on the field. If anyone knows how to succeed in women's soccer, it's DiCicco. Expect the Breakers to have a competitive campaign and be a tough team to get past.

Player to watch: Rodriguez. The No. 1 draft pick has a world of expectations at her feet. But it shouldn't be hard for the rising U.S. star to dazzle after already winning an NCAA championship at USC and Olympic gold.

Opening game: Sun., April 5, at FC Gold Pride.

Chicago Red Stars

Stadium: Toyota Park, Bridgeview, Ill.

Coach: Emma Hayes joins Chicago from Arsenal Ladies Football Club, where she served as assistant coach and academy director since 2006. She leads a strong attacking group into the inaugural season. Brazilian striker Cristiane will lead the attack, joined by University of Illinois grad Ella Massar, Danesha Adams and England international Karen Carney. U.S. midfielders Lindsay Tarpley and Carli Lloyd, as well as internationals Heather Garriock (Australia) and Frida Östberg (Sweden), add stability and strength to the midfield.

Defensively, the Red Stars have a mix of players, including Scotland native Ifeoma Dieke and Virginia grad Nikki Krzysik, who should provide a solid foundation. Caroline Jönsson (Sweden) and Lydia Williams (Australia) add an international flavor to the goalkeeping position. Defenders Mary Therese McDonnell, Sarah Wagenfuhr and Michelle Wenino and goalkeeper Jamiel Johnson are Chicago's developmental players and could see playing time early.

On paper, the Red Stars have a strong offensive squad and a good mix of players. With six countries represented and a lot of top-level internationals, Chicago should be a tough contender in the 2009 campaign.

Player to Watch: Megan Rapinoe. Chicago's first draft pick and the league's No. 2 pick overall embodies many qualities that will aid the Red Stars' attack -- versatility, creativity, perseverance and personality.

Opening game: Sat., April 4, at St. Louis.

FC Gold Pride

Stadium: Buck Shaw Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.

Coach: Albertin Montoya may have found himself in the perfect city for leading a women's team. He gets more than a few gems. U.S. international Brandi Chastain won hearts all over the world in '99, and she's back to lead the Gold Pride in its inaugural campaign. Brazilians Adriane and Formiga, Americans Tiffeny Milbrett and Leslie Osborne, Canadian captain and all-time leading scorer Christine Sinclair, and Japanese forward Eriko Arakawa add almost too many options to the attack. Almost.

The back line will include Brazilian Érika and Notre Dame alum Carrie Dew, Stanford alum Rachel Buehler, backed up ably by expected No. 1 goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart.

The Gold Pride will be a fan-favorite team from the get-go. But can it combine its mix of players into a successful squad? The odds are good.

Player to watch: Sinclair. The 25-year-old Canadian has played in 125 matches for her home country with 95 goals. She adds size and speed to the front line.

Opening game: Sun., April 5, vs. Boston.