May 6, 2008 4:47 PM
Wambach to appear May 15 at Dick's
U.S. national team superstar Abby Wambach will participate in a summit about women's soccer on May 15 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
Wambach will join executives from North America's three leading women's soccer leagues from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Commerce City. The summit will begin with a 90-minute invitation-only forum to discuss the future of the women's game. Wambach and league executives then will be available for a half-hour press conference open to the media and the public.
Force owner Amy Snider and Rapids Managing Director Jeff Plush will lead the summit and the press conference. In addition to Wambach, participants include Tonya Antonucci, commissioner for the new Women's Professional Soccer league, which is scheduled to launch in 2009 with eight teams; Marcie Laumann, W-League senior adviser; Melanie Fitzgerald, W-League director; and Jerry Zanelli, WPS commissioner.
Discussion topics will include celebrating the growth of soccer, marketing and cross promotion of the three women's leagues and player development.
Wambach will sign autographs at 4 p.m. Then the Fort Collins Force will face the Washington Freedom at 4:30 p.m. in the first game of a doubleheader at Dick's. The Force will be joined by guest player Marci Miller Jobson, a veteran of the national team. Wambach will be on the sidelines during the game.
After the women's game, players from the Force and the Freedom will sign autographs and will conduct a skills clinic for players age 3 to 18.
The nightcap, a Rocky Mountain Cup match between the Rapids and Real Salt Lake, will begin at 7:30.
"The Rapids partner with the Force because we share a belief in the power of soccer," Plush said in a statement. "Our annual doubleheader at Dick's Sporting Goods Park gives soccer fans an opportunity to see the best the game has to offer in North America."
Snider said the event is an opportunity to bring the state's soccer fans together.
"We think fans who follow the MLS will be impressed by what the top women's teams have to offer," she said in a statement. "And Force fans will have a chance to show their support of their local team and the Rapids in the same evening."
LIST OF SUMMIT PARTICIPANTS
Amy Snider, W-League executive committee member, owner Fort Collins Force
Marcie Laumann, W-League senior adviser, owner Hampton Roads Piranhas
Melanie Fitzgerald, W-League director
Tim Holt, United Soccer Leagues executive vice president and COO
Tonya Antonucci, Women's Professional Soccer commissioner
Jim Gabarra, head coach, Washington Freedom
Jerry Zanelli, Women's Premier Soccer League commissioner, owner California Storm
Joe Ferrara, WPSL associate commissioner east, owner New England Mutiny
Lu Snyder, WPSL associate commissioner west, owner San Diego Sea Lions
Scott Dreher, WPSL legal counsel
Abby Wambach, U.S. national team
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