USL News Release
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
TAMPA, FL -- United Soccer Leagues and Hellenic, LLC are proud to announce the formation of the Tampa Bay Hellenic, a member of the United Soccer Leagues’ W-League. The Hellenic will begin play in 2008 as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Hellenic, LLC is fronted by George Fotopolous and Maryanne Bishop.
Fotopolous, former women’s head coach at Louisiana State University and current Girls’ Director of Coaching (U13-U19) for the HC United Soccer Club, will also serve as the head coach of the Hellenic. His squad will consist of current and former U.S. Women’s National Team players and former WUSA players, as well as local collegiate talent. He will be assisted by his wife, Danielle Fotopolous, a former US Women’s National Team and WUSA player.
“We are excited to bring the highest level of women’s soccer to the Tampa area,” commented Fotopolous. “The W-League has demanded throughout its existence the highest standards from it’s franchises. We are committed to putting a highly competitive team on the field, and we look forward to our inaugural season.”
The Hellenic will play 14 games, including seven at their home field at the Ed Radice Sports Complex, located at 14720 Ed Radice Drive, about 20 miles Northwest of downtown Tampa. The Ed Radice Sports Complex is home to HC United, the official youth arm of the Hellenic, and has been a host site for the USL SoccerFest’s Super Y-League North American Finals the past three years.
The season starts out with a match on Saturday, May 10 against their closest rival geographically, the Bradenton Athletics. The regular season will conclude with a game at the Carolina RailHawks on Saturday, July 12, in Cary, NC. In between, the Hellenic will look to make their mark on the Atlantic Division. Other teams joining Tampa Bay in the Atlantic Division are: Atlanta Silverbacks, Bradenton Athletics, Carolina Dynamo, Carolina RailHawks, Charlotte Lady Eagles, Hampton Roads Piranhas, Richmond Kickers Destiny and West Virginia Illusion.
“We are thrilled to have W-League soccer returning to our hometown of Tampa,” said W-League Director of Operations Kristin Lettiere. “USL’s presence in the community has grown tremendously over the last few years with events such as the USL SoccerFest and Annual General Meetings. We are looking forward to having an active, year-round presence via the Hellenic.”
Tampa Bay was also home from 1997-2002 to the Tampa Bay Extreme, a team famous for the signing of Hall of Famer and US international Michelle Akers in 1998. The team, which primarily called Clearwater home over its existence, also featured players such as Tara Minnax, Siri Nordby, Heather Mitts and Danielle Fotopolous, wife of the new Hellenic owner. The history of the W-League and the Fotopolous family also extends into the history of the USL front office, where Spirit Fotopolous (George’s sister) was the first Director of W-League Operations from 1996-98.
