The still-unnamed team in the still-unnamed league will play a 22-game season running from March/April to October.
Other franchises were awarded to Boston, New Jersey, western New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Kansas City and Portland.
The owner of the Seattle franchise is Bill Predmore, founder and president of POP Multimedia (POP) located in Seattle.
“In our proposal we articulated a clear mission: to become one of the best women’s soccer clubs in the world,” Predmore said in a press release. “We believe the fans in Seattle deserve nothing less, and we look forward to earning their support over the coming weeks and months.”
Predmore said the club plans to announce its name, logo, stadium, schedule, coach, staff and sponsors before Christmas.
U.S. Soccer, the Canadian Soccer Association and the Mexican Federation are expected to provide a total of about 50 players for the league. The allocation method has not yet been announced. However, Predmore said it might involve regional considerations that could keep local players such as U.S. national team goalkeeper Hope Solo in the area.
“The players themselves are obviously going to have a significant role in deciding where they want to play,” Predmore said in a phone interview. “Geography may play a role in that or it may not, depending on the player. Obviously there is some great talent from this market, and to the extent that they would like to play for us, we’d certainly welcome them to the club.”
Solo and other U.S. national team members played last season with the Sounders Women of the USL W-League.
The Sounders Women announced Wednesday that they will continue to compete in that league.
Don Ruiz: 253-597-8808 don.ruiz@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/soccer @donruiztnt
