Aztec MA has been selected as one of eight teams in the new Women's Premier Soccer Elite League which is a combination of professional and amateur teams. Dushawne "Doc" Simpson, who coached Boston Aztec U-23, one of the strongest teams in the Women's Pro Soccer League Eastern Conference the past few years, will take over the job of coaching the newly formed team.
Women's Pro Soccer canceled the 2012 season, but the new league is set to provide fans with exciting competition at the highest level. Three of the teams from WPS including Boston Breakers, Western New York Flash, and Chicago Red Stars will play in the new league.
Aztec MA is one of three Massachusetts based teams along with Boston Breakers and New England Mutiny. Others in the new league are the Flash from Buffalo, ASA Chesapeake Charge from Maryland, Philadelphia Fever, Red Stars and FC Indiana.
General manager Brandon Nelson made the announcement that Aztec had been chosen to participate in the new league of teams based on the East Coast and in the Midwest. The team's new name is Aztec MA and will be completely amateur. Because no compensation is offered the best college players will be able to compete against pros without jeopardizing their NCAA eligibility.
"The WPSL Elite will allow the top college athletes to play against the best women's soccer players in the United States," said Simpson. "We already have a great core of players, who had committed to the U-23 team, and we're looking to add more players from top college programs over the coming weeks."
Three players with U.S. national team experience head up the list. Morgan Andrews, Victoria DiMartino, and Stephanie McCaffrey all have played for United States Women's national teams at different age levels while Greta Samuelsdottir was a member of the Icelandic national team.
North Shore players include goalie Erin Quinlan from Saugus (Hartford), Jill Kinter (Newburyport), Hillary Savoy and McCaffrey (Winchester), and Clare Pleuler (Gloucester). The Beverly-based Aztec program will only have one team in the WPSL instead of operating Boston Aztec, Breakers Reserves and Aztec U23 teams as it has the past two seasons.
Details are still being worked out for home field, tickets, and scheduling. Games will begin in May and go through July.
"The 2012 season will be incredible exciting for Boston area soccer fans," said Nelson. "with the Breakers and Aztecs fans will have exciting, athletic, and competitive women's soccer all summer."
