Missouri Loves Company: WPS' St. Louis Athletica Follows LA Sol, Shuts Down

Thursday will go down as a gray day for St. Louis sports.

The Los Angeles Sol is not the only club to fold in Women's Professional Soccer. The adage goes, "Misery loves company." In this instance, Missouri and misery are one of the same.

St. Louis Athletica has officially shut its doors in a press announcement. And Jeff Cooper, the person making the call, has to be considered one of the most despised men in a number of soccer circles in the city right now.

"Saint Louis Athletica is a painful outcome from the funding shortfalls and ultimate default by the investors who had the obligation to fund and operate the team on a day-to-day basis,” Cooper said at the conference.

Therefore, it can be argued that it's not completely Cooper's fault. After all, brothers Sanjeev and Heemal Vaid defaulted on their contract to fund the team, which featured stars such as Shannon Boxx, Hope Solo, Anita Asante and Eniola Aluko.

“I’ve given this matter my complete attention since returning to a more active role in the last few weeks, and numerous parties have spent a lot of hours during that time exploring what options or solutions might be available," Cooper added. "Despite best efforts, nothing was found that would answer the immediate needs of the franchise.

"With more time, it is possible the answer to the financial challenges Athletica faced would have been met, but unfortunately we do not have the benefit of extra time."

So I offer this solution to fans in the area: a community-owned club.

Have a minimum of 5,000 fans pitch in $200 as an annual membership to manage the team. This will help cover players' salaries, equipment and rent. The more shares purchased, the better. A group of supporters can form a board of directors of about 15 members.

From this BoD you have an executive committee, replete with a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary and one or two members-at-large. The executive committee will oversee corporate management, approve major capital expenditures, establish broad policy and monitor management's performance in conducting the business and affairs.

By utilizing this alternative, St. Louis' next WPS team will ensure continuity without defaulting like the Vaid brothers on a contract going south. In addition, this allows for funding for the Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park to come from those in the community who want to support this team.

In places like the Gateway City, where teams like the Cardinals, Blues and Rams are  permanent, rooted civic assets in their own right, fans and citizens are much more willing to financially support their team. If the fans receive a commitment, they will return loyalty with loyalty. WPS fans can do the same thing.

I hope that those in St. Louis who are holding their requiem for this club take this to heart and take action. You don't need to let WPS leave St. Louis in this faction.

To heck with the beast that is A.C. St. Louis!

Rise up to the challenge, put the roots in grassroots, and build a community-owned club from scratch. Show me, show everyone, and show yourselves that yes, you can.

In fact, I think this will be the only way Women's Professional Soccer will return to the great city of St. Louis.

Until then, commiserations.