The Boston Breakers return to women’s professional soccer under a new ownership group, Boston Women’s Soccer LLC.  Originally founded in 2000 as a charter member of the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA), the Breakers were one of eight teams in the first U.S.-based women’s professional soccer league that played three seasons (2001-03) before the WUSA suspended operations in September, 2003.

League founding players Kristine Lilly, Kate Sobrero (now Markgraf) and Tracy Ducar headlined the Breakers roster all three seasons, along with international stars that included Germany’s Maren Meinert and Bettina Wiegmann and Norway’s Dagny Mellgren and Ragnhild Gulbrandsen.

During the three-year tenure of the WUSA, the Breakers were a successful organization both on and off the field:

• In 2001, Kate Sobrero received the WUSA “Humanitarian of the Year” award and the Breakers organization hosted the WUSA Championship Game at Foxboro Stadium which drew over 23,000 fans.
• In 2002, the Breakers team received the WUSA “Community Service Award” and Joe Cummings, President and General Manager, was honored by the league as the Executive of the Year.  The front office was recognized for their efforts in notching league leading attendance and total ticket revenue figures.
• In 2003, the Breakers finished the regular season in first place and moved on to the WUSA playoffs (where they eventually lost to the Washington Freedom).  Other accolades achieved by the Breakers included Coach of the Year (Pia Sundhage), League MVP (Maren Meinert), WUSA All-Star Game MVP (Meinert), and for the second year in a row, Cummings was recognized as the Executive of the Year.

In April, 2007, the Boston Breakers were re-established as one of seven franchises announced in the Women’s Soccer Initiative (now Women’s Professional Soccer – WPS).  Boston’s ownership group is comprised of six individuals:  Gary Loveman, Lyman Bullard, Alex Zecca, Louis Hernandez, a silent partner, and managing partner, Michael Stoller.

The front office staff is led once again by Cummings (President and General Manager), who was involved in the four-year league revival effort.  Cummings also held a dual role with the Breakers and WPS as the league’s COO up until October, 2008.

Head coach Tony DiCicco will lead the soccer operations and team side of the organization.  As the former U.S. Women’s National Team head coach, DiCicco brings an unprecedented amount of experience, achievement and knowledge to the team.

On September 16, 2008, the league allocated members of the U.S. Women’s National Team to each team, and Boston received former Breakers Lilly and Angela Hucles, in addition to Heather Mitts. Subsequent drafts saw stars such as 2008 FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year finalist Kelly Smith of England, as well as Brazil’s Fabiana.