Florida Atlantic U Cashing In On Women’s World Cup

FAU is literally cashing in on the interest in women’s soccer in the United States following the World Cup in Germany.

The magicJack team of the Womens Professional Soccer league has been using FAU’s soccer stadium as its home this season, and the two games played there since the World Cup concluded have both been sellouts, attracting more than 3,200 to each game.

The magicJack roster features U.S. World Cup team members Abby Wambach, Megan Rapinoe, Shannon Boxx, Christie Rampone and Becky Sauerbrunn.

Athletic Director Craig Angelos said FAU has made about $30,000 in profit on each game. “It’s been a real bonus for us,” Angelos said. FAU gets to keep 100 percent of the proceeds from the games.

Angelos had extra bleachers brought in anticipating the renewed interest in the team following the World Cup, and said he expects big crowds at the final three regular season home games.

Wambach is the player/coach for magicJack, and had several key goals in the U.S. team’s run to the championship game of the World Cup, which they lost to Japan in a shoot-out.

U.S. World Cup team goalie Hope Solo is also on the roster, but she has been injured and is not expected to play again this season.

The next game is Wednesday, and on Aug. 10 magicJack hosts Western New York, which features Brazil star Marta, considered the top women player in the world, and Alex Morgan, the speedy 21-year-old forward for the U.S. World Cup team.