When ISU women’s soccer coach Rebecca Hornbacher was selected by the Women’s United Soccer Association’s New York Power in 2000, and later traded to the Boston Breakers in the 2001 season, she was playing with the best female soccer players in the world.

“Playing in the first women’s professional soccer league has opened up so many opportunities for me personally. It was the best experience I’ve ever had in my life,” Hornbacher said.

“To be able to play at the elite level with Olympians and World Cup players, and have at least six or seven of those on each team along with players from the United States, was seeing soccer at a level that hasn’t been seen before in the United States.”

But just days before the start of the this year’s women’s World Cup, the WUSA shut down for economic reasons.

Hornbacher said she was hurt by the news and is keeping in contact with her former teammates.

“I am deeply saddened by the news that the WUSA is no longer in existence,” Hornbacher said. “I’ve talked to my former teammates that are part of the league, and they have strong hopes that it can be saved.”

ISU sophomore forward Kristina Baumann said Cyclones are upset about the WUSA shutting down.

“I am sure at some point or another, playing in the league has crossed our minds as a dream,” Baumann said.

“I just think that women’s soccer in general is a big thing to have. Hopefully, they can get enough funding to continue the league.”

Hornbacher said there’s great hope for new financial support to appear.

“Right now, they’re looking at needing eight sponsors that can put forth $2.5 million,” Hornbacher said. “The league went under because of money. If they can come up with the sponsorships, then they may have the eight teams in the WUSA and play at four venues.”

The WUSA opened up many opportunities for young women playing soccer, Hornbacher said.

“I hope that the league can come back and be successful,” Hornbacher said. “They have to make some changes, as far as the business plans, to make it last in the years to come.”

Baumann said the ISU team watched one of the World Cup games during a bus ride to Nebraska.

Because of the outbreak of the SARS virus in China, FIFA, soccer’s governing body, decided to have the United States host the World Cup games this year. China was originally slated to host the World Cup this fall.

Hornbacher said having the United States host the games has brought a lot of exposure to the game of soccer.

“There’s so many things going on in athletics, with college soccer being in full season,” Hornbacher said. “I hope that the exposure of being on TV and being in the U.S. will help save the WUSA.”