Pro women's soccer in Philly

SAN FRANCISCO - Women's Professional Soccer, which will begin its inaugural season next year with seven teams, is planning to expand to Philadelphia in 2010.

Franchises will start play next April in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, St. Louis and Washington. An eighth team could be added for the debut season.

This will be the region's second professional women's soccer team. The Philadelphia Charge played in the now-defunct Women's United Soccer Association from 2001 to '03.

WPS commissioner Tonya Antonucci said yesterday that the league signed a letter of intent for a franchise in Philadelphia.

"Since signing on the dotted line with our initial seven investor groups in September of last year, we've had our sights set on adding an eighth team to the league," Antonucci said. "In Philadelphia, we have the perfect foundation for success, combining a strong operating group with the city's recent acquisition of an MLS team to create a prime market for women's soccer."