Women's Professional Soccer Update: Wambach, Magicjack struggling

With the onslaught of news from the NFL in the past week, the surge of popularity that women's professional soccer enjoyed following the World Cup has begun to fade.

What doesn't help is having Magicjack, which features stars Abby Wambach, Megan Rapinoe, and Christie Rampone, struggling in the league.  Currently, they are sitting in 5th place (and one spot out of the playoffs) after a 2-0 loss to New Jersey last night.


Magicjack is clearly the big draw in the WPS with five starters from the Women's National Team on their roster, but they have struggled to come together in the few weeks since they've been back in the league.  Megan Rapinoe is a recent addition to the team, having been traded from Philadelphia.  Rapinoe to Wambach goals are now a possibility, and would be a major marketing asset to the league.

Alex Morgan Is Critical To WPS Future

Western New York's Alex Morgan is a critical component to the future of the WPS.  Although she came off the bench to score two goals in the World Cup, she is expected to be a starter and America's major scoring threat in the 2012 Olympics.  Since her return to the WPS, she scored a stunning goal that made sports headlines everywhere.

Will Solo Return?

Hope Solo is listed on the Magicjack roster, but isn't expected to play for a while.  She is still recovering from last year's shoulder surgery and had an MRI on her wrist after suffering an injury in practice recently.

"I think we'll be lucky to get her back this season," player-coach Abby Wambach said after Monday morning's practice.

Women's Professional Soccer is counting on stars like Wambach, Morgan, Rapinoe, and Solo to build on a wave of popularity that might not last that long.  Once the 2012 Olympics in London end, the fate of the WPS may depend on its American stars providing that same sort of spark on home territory.