With a regular season record of 13-2-3, the Western New York Flash has been crowned Women’s Professional Soccer’s (WPS) 2011 Regular Season Champions. As the winners of the regular-season title, the Flash have earned the right to host the WPS Championship presented by Citi at their home field, Sahlen’s Stadium on Saturday, August 27 at 4 pm ET / 1 pm PT, where they will await the winners of the WPS Super Semifinal.
In the closest race for the regular season crown in WPS’ three-year history, the Philadelphia Independence and the Flash took their battle for the top seed to the final day of the regular season, separated by just three points in the standings. The Flash’s three-point advantage proved to be enough as Philadelphia dropped their final game of the regular season, leaving the Flash alone at the top of the WPS standings. The Flash earned a decisive 2-0 victory over the Atlanta Beat in the final game of the regular season, capping a successful regular season campaign for the 2011 expansion club.
The surging Independence, who have won 9 of their last 11 games, dropped their final regular season game 2-1 to magicJack, finishing the season with a 11-4-3 record, good for second place in the standings. Philly will host either the Boston Breakers or magicJack in the Super Semifinal game next Saturday, August 20 at PPL Park in Philadelphia at 4 pm ET. The Independence, familiar with postseason success, will make their second consecutive playoff appearance. The team won their way through from the First Round to the WPS Championship game in 2010, but fell short in the title game.
The Boston Breakers snapped a four-game losing skid and stamped their ticket to the postseason on Sunday, earning a 2-0 win over Sky Blue FC to clinch the fourth and final spot in the playoffs. Sky Blue FC entered the game with slight advantage, needing just one point in the standings to secure their spot in the post-season. But it wasn’t to be as the Breakers have snatched up fourth place in the standings and will make their second consecutive postseason appearance, still looking for their club’s first postseason win.
The WPS postseason kicks off this Wednesday in Boca Raton, FL as third place magicJack hosts the Breakers. First Round of the WPS Playoffs is scheduled to kick off FAU Soccer Stadium at 7:30 pm ET and will be televised nationally on FOX Soccer.
WPS Playoff Schedule
FIRST ROUND
DATE: Wednesday, August 17 | 7:30 PM ET
magicJack vs. Boston Breakers
LOCATION: FAU Soccer Stadium (Boca Raton, FL)
Television: FOX Soccer
TICKETS
SUPER SEMI FINAL
DATE: Saturday, August 20 | 4 PM ET
Philadelphia Independence vs. Winner of First Round match
LOCATION: PPL Park (Chester, PA)
TELEVISION: Fox Sports Net
TICKETS
WPS CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY CITI
DATE: Saturday, August 27 | 4 PM ET
Western New York Flash vs. Winner of Super Semifinal
LOCATION: Sahlen’s Stadium (Rochester, NY)
TELEVISION: Fox Sports Net
TICKETS
