Bleacher Report - Women's Professional Soccer

Philadelphia Independence Names Louise Waxler as Associate GM

Kat Galsim — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:17:05 -0500

The Philadelphia Independence is proud to announce that Louise Waxler is joining its front office on Dec. 1 as its Associate General Manager and Director of Operations.

Louise is recognized as one of the bedrock pioneers that has brought women’s professional soccer to the forefront of sports in the United States. Her credentials span executive leadership, operational planning and execution, and corporate construction, as well as sports PR and events management.

Team President/CEO David Halstead stated, “Louise brings to our organization a maturity in thinking about how to become fully integrated into the Philadelphia communities. She has successfully directed numerous women’s and youth soccer initiatives and understands all the key components required to deliver a superior fan experience to everyone following the Independence.

"She is well-known throughout the mid-Atlantic soccer world and strengthens our credibility in the areas of operations, venue management, player services, outreach programs, and youth development.”

Says team GM Terry Foley, “When we began advertising this position, we were hoping to find someone with Louise’s knowledge, expertise, reputation, established working relationships, and commitment to the success of women’s professional soccer. We could not have found a better candidate to fulfill these roles for our franchise. I have known and worked with Louise for many years, and there is no question that our staff, our fans, and the league will grow to appreciate Louise and what she does for us.”

For more than 20 years, Louise has served in key roles of professional and amateur sports management within the Maryland, DC, and Virginia soccer communities, as well as on the national and international levels for soccer expansion and governance. Most recently, she served as the Director of Operations for the WPS Washington Freedom where she managed all team, venue, and game day operations for the franchise.

Louise has been a member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) since 1991 and served in several distinctive positions within that organization, including President, Women’s Committee Chairperson, Youth Representative, and Board of Directors.

She was Maryland’s FIFA Women’s World Cup National Coalition Chair and currently serves as Executive Vice President of the Maryland State Youth Soccer Association Board of Directors.

Louise is widely recognized and respected for her experience running youth and professional sports and soccer events. She served as Director of the Washington Area Girls Soccer Tournament, RFK Stadium Director for Women’s World Cup Tournament, was a member of the staff at the Adidas/Disney International Youth Soccer Tournament, and served as Director of Discovery Cup Soccer Tournament and Columbia Invitational Soccer Tournament.

The previous story is excerpted from a press release by the Philadelphia Independence of the WPS. Kat Galsim is a freelance writer for Bleacher Report and Sports, Then and Now and serves as the beat writer for the Washington Freedom. PHOTO CREDIT: www.womensprosoccer.com

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Saint Louis Athletica Boost Strength by Signing Madeleine Edlund and Elaine

Kat Galsim — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:03:43 -0500

St. Louis Athletica Head Coach and General Manager Jorge Barcellos today announced the signings of Swedish forward Madelaine Edlund and Brazilian midfielder Elaine.

Both played last year with the Swedish club side Umea IK, which served as the opposition during the WPS All-Star Game held at The Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park on Aug. 30.

St. Louis selected Edlund and Elaine during the 2009 WPS International Draft held on September 23.

“This is a very exciting addition to an already championship-caliber team,” stated Barcellos. “In Madelaine Edlund, we now have a player that can complement and partner with Eniola Aluko. With Elaine, we have a player that gives us a lot of dynamic ability in midfield, strengthening an already strong core we have there.”

Madelaine Edlund, 24, plays for Sweden's Women's National Team. Edlund was a member of Sweden's 2007 World Cup team in China but did not appear in any games. She joined Umea in 2006, appearing in over 130 matches and notching over 60 goals.

Elaine, 27, plays for Brazil's Women's National Team and has played in the 2007 World Cup in China and the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. In 2007, Elaine played in five matches during the World Cup and in seven matches during World Cup qualifying, where she netted three goals. In the 2004 Olympics, she played in six matches.

Edlund and Elaine, along with Eniola Aluko, now occupy three of the five designated slots for international players that each WPS team is allowed. St. Louis Athletica currently has 12 players under contract for the 2010 season.

St. Louis Athletica will begin their second season of play in Women's Professional Soccer in April of 2010. In their inaugural season, Athletica reached the WPS Super Semifinal and finished second in the regular season standings.

Season tickets for the 2010 season are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 1-888-STL-GOAL.

The previous story is excerpted from a press release by the Saint Louis Athletica of the WPS. Kat Galsim is a freelance writer for Bleacher Report and Sports, Then and Now and serves as the beat writer for the Washington Freedom.

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Philadelphia Independence to Host Open Tryouts

Kat Galsim — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:17:49 -0500

The Philadelphia Independence women’s professional soccer team announced today that open tryouts will be held for prospective players on Dec. 8 and 9. The two-day combine will take place at the official training home of the Independence, United Sports Training Center in Downingtown, Penn. This will give players the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of Independence head coach Paul Riley.

The event allows the Independence coaches to examine potential picks before January’s WPS Draft while also giving free agents or players who were not picked in last year’s draft the opportunity to earn a spot on the roster. Regardless of a player’s current status, they are invited to the to compete in the event.

General manager Terry Foley believes that the tryout is a great opportunity for both the Independence and potential players.

“As an expansion team in the league, it is important for us to use every avenue available to bring in top talent, so we knew hosting a tryout was crucial. We are hoping to see a lot of great players come out and prove themselves at this combine. I think every team is looking for that one player that could make the difference next year in the WPS, and I’m hoping that’s the type of player we will identify during the two-day showcase.”

Over the course of the tryout, players will participate in tactical and technical training sessions and compete in a series of small-sided and full-field games. Sessions will be run by Riley, who will select the camp’s top performers to compete in an All-Star match at the end of the two days. The tryout is open to any player that completes the online registration and is at least age 18 as of March 1, 2010. Interested players are required to pay a fee of $100 and must complete the online registration.

The previous story is excerpted from a press release by the Philadelphia Independence and the WPS. Kat Galsim is a freelance writer for Bleacher Report and Sports, Then and Now and serves as the beat writer for the Washington Freedom. PHOTO CREDIT: www.womensprosoccer.com

Read more Women's Professional Soccer news on BleacherReport.com