L.A. Women's Professional Soccer Franchise Names GM
Charlie Naimo, who last year coached first-year W-League team Pali Blues to the league title, has been named general manager of the as yet unnamed L.A. WPS franchise.
"Combining my coaching experience, work ethic and desire to impact women's soccer with all the great players and resources we have assembled in Los Angeles will give us the ability to create a winning franchise from day one," he said.Naimo's appointment to the post has been something of an open secret for several weeks.
The WPS team is owned 50:50 by Galaxy owner AEG and Pali Blues owner Ruidi Bianchi and will play at Home Depot Center when the seven-team league opens play in April.
Naimo also won a W-League title in 2005 with the New Jersey Wildcats.
He was first named coach in 1998 with W-League team the New Jersey Splash and promptly won Coach of the Year honors.
Abner Rogers, director of coaching at Laguna Hills club Eclipse, was previously named coach of the L.A. WPS team.
The WPS, which has already held two drafts for U.S. Women's National Team and top international players, holds another draft Monday.
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About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook.
Cheers for the WPS updates, now will they finally reveal their logo/colors & name.
Nick replies: With any luck I'll talk to the GM and coach Monday after the draft for Tuesday's column. I'll let you know.
Thank you. Appreciated :)