What’s the future of professional soccer in the U.S? Phil Anschutz, owner of the Los Angeles Galaxy keeps betting that it looks bright. After spending millions of dollars to add David Beckham to his team’s lineup, Phil is now the lead investor of a new women’s team through AEG L.A. Women’s Soccer.

Women’s Professional Soccer League
ESPN reported today that a new women’s professional soccer league will begin with seven teams across the country in 2009. The teams will play in
the following cities, some of them in MLS soccer-specific stadiums:

• Boston
• Chicago
• Dallas
• Los Angeles
• New Jersey/New York
• St. Louis
• Washington

Second Time’s the Charm
This isn’t the first attempt at a women’s professional league. According to ESPN, this time around the team owners will try to learn from the mistakes of the Women’s United Soccer Association that shut down after 3 seasons.

ESPN says the new soccer league “intends to partner with Soccer United Marketing, which is affiliated with MLS, for sponsorship and marketing. The league plans to announce a new name in the coming months, and more teams may be added.”

Thanks Phil
The investment in the AEG L.A. Women’s Soccer will make 4 professional U.S. soccer teams that the Anschutz Entertainment Group has an ownership stake in, including the Chicago Fire, Houston Dynamo, and Los Angeles Galaxy. Thanks Phil for investing in U.S. soccer!