Washington Freedom Alive and Kicking

The Washington Freedom, the world's premier women's soccer club, remains a force to be reckoned with in the DC area soccer community with the announcement that the Freedom has joined the W-League for the summer of 2007 and then will be part of a professional league relaunch in 2009.

The Freedom will play 7 home games this summer at the Maryland Soccerplex in Germantown, MD and will feature stars such as US Women's National Team player Christie Welsh and fan favorite Lori Lindsey.

Under the technical guidance of Freedom head coach Jim Gabarra and assistant coach Clyde Watson, the Freedom Soccer Club also features unparalleled resources for youth soccer development. Gabarra, who managed the Freedom to the 2003 WUSA Championship and was a professional player for 14 years, and Watson, one of the most respected coaches in the greater Washington D.C. area and Gabarra's assistant with the Freedom, will provide the training platform for young girls to reach their peak. In addition, many Freedom players coach Freedom Soccer Club teams or participate in clinics at the club.

John Hendricks, WUSA's Founder and the Chairman of Discovery Communications, is the club's investor and will serve as Freedom Soccer Club chairman and Mia Hamm is on the Advisory Board of the club.

"The Freedom Soccer Club's goal is to provide the best environment for the development of female players of all levels of skill and ability," said Gabarra. "The club's membership will be the vehicle that helps support women's pro soccer while providing young players the opportunity to become the future of the Washington Freedom. Having youth and adult players wear the Freedom jersey and feeling invested in the club is an exciting vision."

"I continue to be very optimistic about the future of women's professional soccer and the Washington Freedom," said Hendricks. "The Washington Freedom Soccer Club is a fantastic way to keep the Freedom involved in the community and work toward a stable and bright future for women's soccer in the D.C. area."

Competing in the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) from 2001-2003, the Washington Freedom is regarded as the world's premier women's professional soccer club. Featuring U.S. national team stars Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach and WUSA All-Stars such as Jennifer Grubb, Carrie Moore and Siri Mullinix, the Freedom won the Founders Cup III, the 2003 WUSA Championship. With the WUSA's announcement that the league was suspending operations in September 2003, the Freedom competed in a series of exhibition events in 2004 through 2006 under the moniker "Freedom Reserves." The Freedom plans to return to the pro league when the league re-launches in 2009.

GAMES:

Parking is free. Tickets are only $10 each.