
Since it was first revealed that WPS was closing shop for the foreseeable future, most of the attention has been spent playing the blame game. Dan Borislow. US Women's National Team. WPS. The list goes on. The blame game can be fun, but it's not necessarily what is needed to bring back women's professional soccer in 2013. First it was only rumors, but now with different players coming forward, it is obvious there were major issues involving Dan Borislow, but that is a conversation for a different time. The problems within magicJack do not cover up the fact that WPS has other issues that need to be addressed. The league has only been around for three years, yet four teams have become defunct.
WPS and its franchises now have a great opportunity to spend the next year fixing mistakes from the past without worrying about selling tickets. Spend that time developing a stronger brand that reaches people involved in women's soccer. Questions need to be asked about the marketing of WPS, and if answered properly, it should be clear the league has a lot of work to do in that area. Ask a 14 year old girl that plays premier soccer to name the five clubs in WPS, and her answer will be "what is WPS?". If the league wants to be here in 10 years, that is the number one area that needs to be addressed. Fourteen-year old girls should be seen as fans, customers, and future players. The MLS Academy program has done wonders for MLS on and off the field with increasing brand image, reaching local communities which increases revenue streams, and ultimately with home grown players. Could that be the answer for WPS? Not necessarily, but reaching out to youth soccer players and coaches would be a great start for the league.

With the fourth season of WPS being canceled, it now leaves coaches and players scrambling to find other opportunities. Soccer Banter asked a few people directly involved with WPS the following question: What are your thoughts on WPS suspending operations for the 2012 season?

Lee Billiard (Boston Breakers Associate General Manager): It is obviously disappointing for a number of reasons that WPS suspended play for 2012. Disappointing for the players who were just gearing up to show off their talents, disappointing for the younger players just starting to break through and build a career for themselves, disappointing for the young generation who are developing a love for the game and aspiring to be the next Abby Wambach, Kelly Smith or Marta, and disappointing for all of us involved in the organizations that work hard to provide supporters a place to come and watch top female athletes perform. WPS unfortunately hit a few hurdles in a short space of time, whilst a lot of hard work was done in order to get over the hurdles it continued to delay a lot of required forward progress which was starting to have an impact on other areas. It is very sad we will not have a professional league this season, but I do understand the league’s thinking behind the decision and what they will be doing during the suspended season in order to clear all hurdles and comeback ahead of the 2013 season better than ever before.

Paul Royal (Philadelphia Independence Assistant Coach and La Salle University Head Coach): I'm very saddened by the decision to suspend operations this year. We (Independence coaching staff) really feel awful for the current WPS players, coaches and college players that have had their dreams and livelihoods put on hold for a short time. However, I feel very confident that these five great owners have their heart and passion in the right place in growing our pro game in 2013. They have been tremendous advocates for not only Women's Pro Soccer, but also women's athletics in general.
Do you think WPS will be back in 2013? What are your thoughts on the future of the league? Add your own comments below.