The Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) has announced that Aztec MA will be unable to compete in the new WPSL Elite League due to unresolved scheduling conflicts. In their place, New York Fury becomes the eighth member of the elite women’s league, along with former Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) teams Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars and Western New York Flash, WPSL teams ASA Chesapeake Charge, FC Indiana and New England Mutiny, and Philadelphia Fever. An updated schedule will be released following revisions.
Aztec MA had been enthusiastic about joining the new Elite League but were unable to resolve certain scheduling conflicts in time for the season. The team will return to the WPSL, where they have been one of the dominating teams for the past seven years, and will compete in the East-Northeast Division. Jerry Zanelli, WPSL Commissioner is disappointed that the Aztec MA will not be in the inaugural Elite League season.
Mike Kersker, owner of the Aztec MA, will assume new responsibilities as the WPSL Assistant Commissioner for East and South expansion and will work closely with Zanelli helping the women’s game grow. The Aztec MA have been accepted to play in the 2013 WPSL Elite League.
New York Fury, under the direction of head coach Paul Riley, has been preparing for the WPSL season by signing several former WPS standouts. Riley returns to the Fury organization following two seasons as head coach of the WPS Philadelphia Independence where he led the team to the WPS Championship series both years. With Riley’s experience, the Fury will be ready to compete against the current members of the Elite League.
“Riley is a two-time champion in the WPSL as well as Finalist in the last two WPS championships and we look forward to his participation in the Elite League,” says Zanelli.
After growing up in the Liverpool Youth Program, Riley moved to the United States to attend college at Adelphi University on Long Island, N.Y. After finishing his collegiate career as the school’s all-time leader in points and assists, Riley moved on to play professionally with the Albany Capitals, the New Jersey Eagles and the Long Island Rough Riders. He became involved with the Fury organization and helped to found the WPSL Long Island Fury, which he led to the 2006 and 2009 WPSL National Championships.
New York Fury will field a talented team, including WPS veterans Nikki Krzysik, Estelle Johnson and Tina DiMartino, who played with Riley in Philadelphia. Other former WPS players who will compete in Fury colors are Brittany Taylor from Sky Blue FC and Michelle Betos from Boston Breakers and Breakers Reserves. Fury also has signed 2012 WPS Draft pick Jasmyne Spencer, who was chosen with the 23rdoverall pick by Philadelphia.
