Hampton Roads Piranhas

Learn From the Pros with the SharX Youth Academy

01/31/2012 02:00 PM

Players accepted into the Norfolk SharX Youth Academy will participate in seven specially designed weekly technical sessions administered by professional players and coaches in a fun environment. Sessions are Friday nights from 6 - 7:30 PM at Chilled Ponds in Chesapeake.

Sessions are limited in size so that we may keep a low player to staff ratio. All players receive 7 sessions of training, a Norfolk SharX back sack, and a ticket to a Norfolk SharX home game, all for only $99.

Come learn from the Pros at the Norfolk SharX Youth Academy.

W-League Piranhas Great Florence Omagbemi Selected to USL Hall of Fame

11/15/2011 08:18 PM

TAMPA, Fla. – Nine men and women who have proven to be highly influential in North American soccer have been chosen for induction into the United Soccer Leagues Hall of Fame in 2011 including W-League Piranha Florence Omagbemi. For the first time, the USL Hall of Fame has been divided into three distinct wings to increase the recognition for those who have helped make USL a success through the years because of their tremendous efforts and personal sacrifices made on behalf of the sport of soccer in North America.

The USL Hall of Fame Class of 2011 will be inducted at the USL Hall of Fame Banquet Presented by Demosphere on Friday, December 16, 2011 at the Hilton Clearwater Beach. Honorees were chosen through a vote of current Hall of Fame members and USL teams.

2011 USL Women’s Hall of Fame Inductees

Player – Florence Omagbemi, Hampton Roads Piranhas

Omagbemi was a key figure for the Hampton Roads Piranhas for seven seasons, helping the club capture the 2003 W-League Championship. She appeared 76 times for the Piranhas as they won a pair of division titles in 2003 and 2004. Internationally, Omagbemi joined the Nigerian National Team at age 16 and became captain at age 17, playing in the 1991, 1995, 1999 and 2003 World Cups. She is Nigeria’s most-capped player, and played in the 2000 Olympic Games in Australia. Omagbemi finished fourth in the voting for the top African women’s player of the 20^th Century by the Confederation of African Football.

“Florence is one of the best leaders on the field I have ever seen,” said Piranhas owner Marcie Laumann. “Her commitment to the sports is unwavering and her character as a person is irreproachable. I am proud to have had the opportunity to call her a Piranha for many years. Now I just call her friend.”

Builder – Tim Schweitzer, Northern Virginia Majestics

The longtime general manager of Northern Virginia FC has spearheaded the development of thousands of players during the past 13 years. Not only is Northern Virginia one of the top youth clubs in the country with teams competing for regional and national titles, but the club has operated the W-League’s Majestics since 1999. Northern Virginia FC is a full-service club dedicated to the USL vision of North American soccer development.

Coach – Lee Horton, Charlotte Lady Eagles

As the only head coach in the history of the Lady Eagles, Horton has been a model of consistency through the past 10 seasons. With an overall record of 107 wins, 31 losses and 9 ties, Horton has guided the team to eight playoff appearances including a W-League championship (2001), two championship game defeats (2000 and 2002), as well as conference championships (2000, 2001, 2002, 2006). Horton is a member of the North Carolina Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame and has been the head boys and girls soccer coach at Charlotte Latin School for more than 20 years, winning 11 NC State Championships during that time.

Player – Christine Sinclair, Vancouver Breakers, Vancouver Whitecaps Women

The leading goal-scorer in the history of the Canadian Women’s National Team, Sinclair played four seasons in the W-League for the Vancouver Breakers and the Vancouver Whitecaps Women. The dominant forward scored 23 goals and added 10 assists for the Whitecaps during her three-year spell with the club, and has been named the Canadian Soccer Association Women’s Player of the Year each of the past six years (2005-2010), while also being nominated by FIFA for the World Player of the Year award five times.

2011 USL Men’s Hall of Fame Inductees

Builder – Kyle Krause, Des Moines Menace

Krause acquired majority ownership of the Menace in 1998 and created a dynamic, growing club that is one of the most successful soccer franchises in the country. He has expanded the youth side, essentially developing an entire program from beginner to professional. Average home game attendance hovers near 3,500 for the Menace, setting a PDL record in 2004. Krause’s dedication can be seen by the continued success of PDL team and its players. The 2011 season marked the Menace’s sixth trip to the US Open Cup and 11th to the playoffs. More than 50 Menace alums have gone on to careers in the ranks of USL PRO, MLS and other professional leagues.

Coach – David Irving, Wilmington Hammerheads

The face of the Wilmington franchise, Irving has led the Hammerheads to two championship games, winning the USL Second Division title in 2003, the same year that the Hammerheads reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup after defeating Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas 4-1 in the fourth round. The Englishman was also pivotal in securing the return of the Hammerheads to Wilmington after hiatus in 2010, upon which he then led the side to second place in the USL PRO regular season standings.

2011 MISL Hall of Fame Inductees

Builder – Edwin Hale Sr., Baltimore Blast

Edwin Hale Sr. has twice been the principal owner of the Baltimore Blast, first owning the club from 1989-92 before re-purchasing the club in 1998. During Hale’s second stint, the Blast have become a league power, winning their first league championship in almost two decades in 2003. That victory triggered a remarkable run of success that saw the Blast win another five championships, the most recent coming in 2009. In addition to his work with the Blast, Hale has also been a respected member of the Baltimore business community, and is currently the CEO of Visit Baltimore, formerly the Baltimore Area Visitors and Convention Association.

Coach – Keith Tozer, Milwaukee Wave

Keith Tozer has become an indoor soccer icon as the coach of the Milwaukee Wave, a position he has held since 1992. A former player, Tozer began his coaching career with the Louisville Thunder in 1984, winning a championship in 1987. Since becoming the Wave’s coach, Tozer has won five championships while appearing in another four finals, claiming the club’s first title in six seasons with victory in the 2010-11 MISL Championship in March.

Player – Tatu, Dallas Sidekicks, Wichita Wings

Tatu was one of the most accomplished players in the MISL’s history, scoring 857 goals during his 19-year career, the second most in indoor soccer history. A dominant force for the Dallas Sidekicks, with whom he won four championships, Tatu won the league MVP award six times. Later in his career, he also acted as the player/coach for the Sidekicks, winning Coach of the Year honors in the 2003-04 season, one season after his retirement from the field.

United Soccer Leagues

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, USL has become the largest organization of elite-level soccer leagues in North America by building on the vision, commitment, and passion of players, fans and investors. Now in its third decade of operation, USL continues to be a driving force in the growth of soccer in the United States, Canada and Caribbean. USL provides a clearly defined path for the progression of male and female soccer players beginning at the youth level (Super Y-League/Super-20 League), continuing through the amateur level (PDL/W-League) and up to the professional level, both outdoor and indoor (USL PRO/MISL). A platform for countless players to reach for their dreams each year, USL is devoted to developing the sport at the grassroots level in every community across the region.

Courtesy of United Soccer Leagues

1715 N. Westshire Boulevard, Suite 825

Tampa, Florida 33607

813-963-3909

www.uslsoccer.com

# # #

“THE BEST GROUP I’VE EVER BEEN WITH AS A COACH OR PLAYER”

07/22/2011 08:19 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 20, 2011

Virginia Beach, Virginia – On the evening of June 4, 2011, a sunny, hot day in Virginia Beach, the Piranhas hosted the Fredericksburg Impact at the Sportsplex for match day three of the 2011 W-League season. At ten minutes after seven, with five minutes left in a highly entertaining game, the Impact went up 4-3 against the Piranhas, who were still looking for their first win.

Five minutes later, the crowd turned into a frenzy. The Red and White had scored twice to make it 5-4 with the match-winner scored in stoppage time - one of three goals that night for German forward Steffi Goddard. The Piranhas had ther first win of the 2011 campaign under their belt and Goddard had her first hat trick.

“This win shows the heart and soul of our team and sets the tone for the rest of the season,” said Piranhas owner Marcie Laumann minutes after the game. How right she was.

Today Waddell said that game defined the character of her team. “Coming back from deficits makes good teams great” she said. The win over Fredericksburg meant the start of an amazing 5-1 run for her squad.

A run that deserved a happy ending and a playoff spot, but a 3-0 road loss to the Charlotte Lady Eagles on July 15, brought the season to a close for Virginia Beach - a win would have ensured post-season play.

The team met for a cookout Wednesday night, July 20, to bid their farewells after a memorable three months, and “to end the summer on a positive note”, as Waddell said. Some players had already moved on, as preseason is awaiting those still playing college soccer.

Although Waddell and her players haven’t quite shaken off the disappointment of missing the playoffs, Waddell emphasized the positive impressions the 2011 campaign will leave behind. A range of great games at the Sportsplex entertained the Piranhas fans this year and advertised the sport of soccer in Hampton Roads. “I told my players: don’t let the latest disappointment define the season,” said Waddell.

Rather, the 2011 campaign should be defined by some great individual talent, which, after some struggles at the beginning, transformed into a strong unit on and off the field.

“The relationships with the players and among the teammates are going to persevere,” said Waddell. “With all the different personalities we had in this team, we probably had the strongest company I have ever seen and the best group I have ever been with, as coach and as player.”

In many cases the “farewell” at the end of this summer might be a “see you soon,” as Waddell expects the core of the team to return for the 2012 season. Although it is too early to make definite plans, many key players are willing to play another year for the Piranhas.

Even the “German connection” - vital full back Anja Barwinsky and goal-hungry striker Stephanie Goddard, with 11 goals and that rank her second in goals in the W-League - would love to come back for another season.

“If the team stays together, we would have a great advantage, because we don’t have to get to know each other all over again,” said Waddell. “That is key in this league.”

For next year’s recruiting, the head coach wants to focus on improving the depth of her roster. “That way we can avoid dropping the level in case of the absence of certain players,” said Waddell. “That was a problem sometimes this season.”

In any case it looks like the Piranhas will be ready to put their fans into another frenzy next year. And with some luck, the next “farewell” will be delayed a couple weeks and the Red and White will compete in the playoffs.

For more information on the 2011 Virginia Beach Piranhas, including tickets, sponsorships or to volunteer, please visit www.vbpiranhas.com or call 757-572-1592.

Sebastian Fischer

# # #

W LEAGUE PIRANHAS HIT THE ROAD THIS WEEKEND IN HUNT OF A PLAYOFF SPOT

07/12/2011 01:57 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JULY 12, 2011

Virginia Beach, Virginia – It’s the make or break weekend for the W-League Piranhas. The hunt for a playoff spot in the Atlantic Division will come to a decision as Virginia Beach will face No.2 seed Charlotte Friday and regular season champion Atlanta on Saturday. While the Silverbacks have their first place certain, the Lady Eagles and the Piranhas will fight for second place. The top two teams in the Atlantic Division make the playoffs.

The Piranhas have one game in hand and trail by two points to the Lady Eagles, who will finish their regular season with Friday night’s game. A win seals the deal for the Piranhas as they would overtake the Lady Eagles by one point. In case of a tie or a loss, Virginia Beach would need to beat the Silverbacks on Saturday.

Kickoff Friday evening at Charlotte Christian Stadium is at 5.30 p.m. The game against the Silverbacks on Saturday starts at 7:30 p.m. at Atlanta Silverbacks Park.

W-LEAGUE PIRANHAS (5-3-0)

After some difficulties in the beginning of the season and losses to Charlotte and Dayton, the Piranhas have proven to be a top team in the Atlantic Division, winning five of their last six games. Now it is time for Coach Waddell’s squad to gain the laurels for their extraordinary efforts.

Confidence shouldn’t be an issue for the Red and White, who earned two wins in their last two games, outscoring Northern Virginia with a cumulative score of 10-1.

While the defensive coordination has gotten better each game - only conceding three goals in the last four games - it was the Piranhas’ offensive efforts that provided the spark. With 22 goals, Virginia Beach’s offense is the most dangerous in the division and stands fifth in the 27-team W-League in goals scored.

In both goals and assists, a Piranha is leading the Atlantic Division’s stats: German goal getter Stephanie Goddard has scored ten goals, while skipper Emily Kittleson has scored four. Goddard stands in second place in goals in the League with ten goals in eight games and stands third in points with 22 (10 goals and two assists). Kittleson stands seventh in the League in assists with four in seven games.

Despite those outstanding statistics however, the Piranhas winning record is no one-woman-effort. Instead, this season’s success story is a collective effort and the result of a harmonizing team. Even the statistics prove that, as a total of twelve players have been involved in scoring.

German long runner Anja Barwinksy, the only Piranha not missing a single minute of play this season, argued along those lines.

“We have shown this season that we have enough quality to make the playoffs. Even when we were trailing, the team didn’t give up and came back to get very important wins, said Barwinksy. “That is only possible when you work as a unit.”

The game plan for Friday will be to simply continue doing what has worked.

“Good teamwork will also be key for beating Charlotte. We are on the verge of reaching our goal - now we just have to grab it,” Barwinsky said.

In her first season of coaching without playing, Coach Waddell always believed in her team’s potential to reach the playoffs. Recognizing that the games against Charlotte and Atlanta will decide this season’s fate, the coach continues to trust in her players’ abilities.

“This is our biggest game of the season. I know how much my players want it and with the playoffs on the line they are motivated as ever to get a win.”

Charlotte Lady Eagles (5-2-2)

The Lady Eagles started their 12^th W-League season as one of the frontrunners of the Atlantic Division and have lived up to that standard. The defense anchored by Blakely Mattern has proven to be especially tough to beat. Only division-leading Atlanta and the Dayton Dutch Lions found a way past the Charlotte back line and keeper Alyssa Whitehead.

On the other end of the field the Lady Eagles performed solidly as well. Led by forward Ashley Gunning with three goals and two assists, Lee Horton’s team scored an overall of 14 goals. A win against Virginia Beach would mean Charlotte’s 11^th playoff participation.

Atlanta Silverbacks (8-1-0)

What a year it has been for the Silverbacks. In eight games Atlanta only conceded a W-League topping four goals, and only lost one game, 3-1 to the Charlotte Lady Eagles.

Lead by forward Tiffini Turpin, who scored six goals and assisted two, the Silverbacks scored an overall of 21 goals, one less than the Virginia Beach scoring machine.

In their first match-up this season the Piranhas lost in a 1-0 heartbreaker at the Sportsplex. Although their nearly perfect record makes the Silverbacks the odds-on-favorite for Saturday’s game, Virginia Beach has one advantage: The result of the game has no impact on the Silverback’s season, as they lead by six points to second place Charlotte and can’t lose their hold on first-place.

About the W-League

The first and longest standing women’s league in North America, the W-League is USL’s highest level of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada. The 2011 USL W-League Campaign will feature 27 teams in three regional conferences playing 10-14 regular season matches. In addition to featuring international and professional stars, elite amateur players have the opportunity to compete on amateur teams in the league while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. The league is recognized worldwide for providing superior competition for female players, while offering affordable family entertainment for fans across North America.

For more information on the 2011 Virginia Beach Piranhas, including tickets, sponsorships or to volunteer, please visit www.vbpiranhas.com or call 757-572-1592.

Sebastian Fischer

2011 Volunteer Opportunities

02/18/2011 10:46 PM

2011 Volunteer Opportunities

Come Swim With The Big Fish

The Virginia Beach Piranhas have numerous volunteer opportunities available for the 2011 season. If you are a fan of the beautiful game of soccer or are interested in the behind the scenes world of a sports franchise, we would love to have you join the Piranhas. Minimum age to volunteer is 15. High school and college students looking for volunteer or intern hours are welcome, but were not just for kids. Adults are needed and can work in the office as well as game day. Would you like to travel with the team? Team managers and assistants are also needed. Here are just some of the opportunities available:

Game Day Operations

Marketing

Media and Communications

Office Assistant

Volunteer Coordinator

Assistant Team Manger

For more information please contact admin@hrpiranhas.com

Hampton Roads Piranhas Kick Off Capital Campaign

08/25/2010 04:53 AM

Seventeen years ago the Hampton Roads Piranhas were formed with little more than an uncompromising passion and commitment to provide opportunities to young women chasing their dreams to play professional soccer.

Since that time, we have grown and we now support and manage both a women’s and a men’s team playing in the United Soccer League. We are proud to have provided playing opportunities to over 500 young women and men, and many internship and employment opportunities for college students across the country. More importantly, we have provided role models for thousands of children throughout the Hampton Roads area and beyond.

In addition, part of our program has always included a strong commitment to our community and we have supported many worthy causes including Virginia Power Soccer, American Diabetes Association, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Greater New Orleans United Way (Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund), Tidewater Animal Rescue, Food Bank of Hampton Roads, YMCA of Greater Hampton Roads, Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, The Joy Fund, Toys for Tots, Clean the Bay Day, Virginia State Tobacco Use Control Program and partnerships with over 200 area soccer teams, plus high schools and middle schools.

In pursuit of our goals, we have provided financial support for all of our players that has included housing, transportation and job opportunities. In addition we have underwritten all USL and USSF fees and expenses including travel, insurance, venue fees, uniforms, officials and security.

To all of our players, coaches, fans and friends, we want to thank you for your continued support of the Piranhas. We could not have accomplished this without you.

But we now ask for your assistance. In all, we have invested over $1,000,000 in our teams over the past 16 years and we are now asking for your support as we look to expand our programs for the 2011 season.

You have shown us that you recognize the value of our contributions so the Piranhas are initiating a first-ever Capital Campaign to raise needed funds to continue our player and community programs and we need your help now.

We have designed patron and sponsor levels that should accommodate each of our fans, both individual and corporate. We ask that you please click here to visit our Capital Campaign page for details of each package. And please remember that your contribution will allow us to continue to be a responsible community partner.

Your assistance will allow the Piranhas to continue to grow and we greatly appreciate your past, present and future support.

GO FISH!!!!

PIRANHAS OWNER AND PRESIDENT MARCIE LAUMANN TO BE HONORED BY THE NORFOLK SPORTS CLUB

08/25/2010 11:29 AM

PIRANHAS OWNER AND PRESIDENT MARCIE LAUMANN TO BE HONORED BY THE NORFOLK SPORTS CLUB

Virginia Beach, Virginia – The Norfolk Sports Club will honor Piranhas President and Owner Marcie Laumann on September 27 by awarding her the Frank Margiotta Unsung Hero Award. This honor is given to an individual who best exemplifies dedicated service and unselfish devotion to a community.

The award was named the Frank Margiotta Award in 2008 after the founding father of the Norfolk Sports Club. The first meeting of the Club was held in his office in 1944 with four people present that included Margiotta, who at age 99, is the only surviving member.

Ms. Laumann is the third recipient of the Frank Margiotta Unsung Hero Award in the Club’s history. Norfolk Academy cross country and track coach Ken Lampert won the award in 2007 and Marie Boos of the Norfolk Admirals was named in 2008. The award was not given in 2009.

Ms. Laumann developed a passion for the sport of soccer as a teenager and played forward at Green Run High School and as goalkeeper for Old Dominion University’s club side in the years before the sport was played by women at the University at the NCAA level. She continued to play for local women’s teams until 1996. Ms. Laumann also played Futsal and was a member of the National Championship Women’s Open Team in 1988.

She founded the Hampton Roads piranhas in 1995 and has served as President of the franchise ever since. The Piranhas are the oldest active W-League franchise in the United Soccer Leagues (USL), entering their 17^th season in 2011.

Ms. Laumann is one of the USL’s most respected owners. In 2007 and in 2001, she was named the United Soccer League’s W-League Executive of the Year and in 2004 was inducted into the United Soccer League’s Hall of Fame. In 2003, the Piranhas were named the United Soccer League’s W-League Organization of the Year and in 2000, Ms. Laumann was honored with the Moylan Courage Award. She has served on the League’s Marketing Committee and for seven years, served on the USL W-League Executive Committee. And in April of 2008, Ms. Laumann was appointed by the USL as the first Senior Advisor to the W-League.

Ms. Laumann is a strong community leader, having donated a great deal of time to local charities and local events. She serves on the Virginia Power Soccer (soccer for power wheelchair users) board of directors, and spear headed the USL Hurricane Katrina Relief charity auction in 2005. She has organized and promoted fund raising events in Hampton Roads to benefit local groups including the Virginia Beach SPCA, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation, the American Red Cross, the Food Bank of South Hampton Roads, and numerous youth teams and public schools throughout the area. Marcie and her husband Doc live in Chesapeake Virginia.

Ms. Laumann will receive the award at the Club luncheon at the Holiday Inn-Virginia Beach-Norfolk Hotel and Conference Center, (formerly the Holiday Inn Executive Center) at 5655 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach on September 27. Lunch will be served from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Cost of the luncheon is $15 for members and $17 for guests. Tickets are available through the Club’s Executive Administrator Betty Dail at 757-497-9483 or at betty@norfolksportsclub.hrcoxmail.com.

For more information about the 2011 Hampton Roads Piranhas, please call 757-226-9040 or visit www.hrpiranhas.com.

IMG to Host W-League Combine

08/24/2010 12:15 PM

IMG to Host W-League Combine

WPS Coaches Set to Attend Only Women’s Combine in U.S.

USL News Release

Thursday, August 19, 2010

TAMPA, Fla. – The third edition of the USL W-League Combine, featuring Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) and other professional and international coaches, is set for December 16-19, 2010. One of the showcase developmental events for women’s soccer in North America, the 2010 W-League Combine will be hosted at the world-class facilities of IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida.

The purpose of the event is to provide elite women’s players an avenue to showcase their talents in the hopes of earning an opportunity at the top professional levels. USL National Technical Director Peter Mellor will work alongside USL staff to develop a comprehensive curriculum that challenges participants while providing coaches with the proper environment for evaluation. This year’s upgraded event is a product of USL’s increased focus on the development of women’s soccer at all levels in North America.

A total of 96 elite-level women’s soccer players will be selected to attend the combine, which will include high-level training conducted by professional coaches. A total of 25 players from the two previous combines have played in WPS, while more than 60 percent of current WPS players have W-League experience.

“The W-League Combine has been one of the most important annual scouting events for our coaches and teams over the past few years,” WPS COO Mary Harvey said. “The level of talent that assembles in one place is fantastic and WPS teams will continue to use this event to help build out their rosters for the following season and beyond.”

Players invited to the 2010 USL W-League Combine will be selected through an application process, which begins today at www.uslsoccer.com/wcombine/ and will run through November 26. USL will utilize the recommendations of Mellor, W-League members, WPS and domestic and international coaches in the selection of W-League and other elite female players to participate in the combine. Of the 96 players invited, 12 will be goalkeepers (an increase from six in the past) who will be asked to arrive a day early for a special technical session to be conducted by Mellor. A complete schedule for the event will be available soon.

“I am excited that the 2010 W-League Combine will be able to make use of IMG’s wonderful new nine-field facility,” Mellor said. “It is important that we provide our combine participants with the best soccer fields and soccer environment for them to perform at their highest levels. We are adding international club coaches to assist our W-League coaches in managing the combine teams, which will give our players the opportunity to showcase themselves for not only W-League and WPS scouts, but international professional club scouts as well.”

Called “the country’s most comprehensive playground for athletes in training” by Sports Illustrated, IMG Academies features world-class playing surfaces, strength and conditioning facilities, video lecture halls and resident and dining halls. Located on 400 pristine acres in Bradenton, IMG Academies is the world’s most prestigious training destination and features unmatched on-site facilities.

Players participating in the 2010 W-League Combine will have full use of all soccer facilities and locker rooms as well as the Sports Performance Center for classroom instruction and presentations. Lunch and dinner will be provided at the student dining hall.

HAMPTON ROADS RANKS AS NATION’S 4TH HIGHEST MARKET FOR WORLD CUP VIEWING

06/26/2010 01:44 PM

Virginia Beach, Virginia – According to ESPN, Hampton Roads (Norfolk, Portsmouth, Newport News area) has registered the fourth highest viewership in the country for World Cup broadcasts on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. Our area fell just behind Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Washington, D.C. and New York in percentage of viewers. Hampton Roads came in ahead of other major metropolitan areas such as Boston, Atlanta, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Tampa and Chicago. In other words, soccer is a viable sport in Hampton Roads.

According to espnmedia.com: Through 40 games on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2, ratings are up 40% and viewership is up 49% as compared to 2006. And ESPN3.com logs show the largest U.S. audience ever for a sports event on the web.” Read the full report at http://www.espnmediazone3.com/us/2010/06/u-s-algeria-espn%e2%80%99s-highest-rated-and-most-watched-soccer-telecast/.

To all of our soccer friends in Hampton Roads, thanks for making it clear that soccer is an important sport in our region. We ask that you come out and show your support at our next PDL Piranhas’ match on Sunday, June 27 at 5:30 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex. Our team is undefeated in five out of its last six games! It’s Soccer Night at the Plex!!!! Come join us!

For more information on the Hampton Roads Piranhas, please call 757-226-9040 or visit www.hrpiranhas.com.

RANKED BY RATING
Market	DMA Avg Rating	Total Imp
Miami-Ft. Lauderdale	3.6	56,547
Washington, DC	3.2	75,765
New York	3.1	235,779
Norfolk-Portsmth-N. Nws	2.8	20,363
San Diego	2.7	28,162
San Francisco	2.7	67,756
Las Vegas	2.6	19,112
West Palm Beach	2.6	20,434
Boston	2.5	62,136
Baltimore	2.4	26,217
Tampa-St. Pete	2.1	38,688
Austin	2.1	14,372
Providence	2.1	13,385
Atlanta	2.1	50,129
Hartford & New Haven	2.1	21,038
Houston	2.1	44,164
Sacramento	2.1	29,026
Los Angeles	2.1	118,524
Richmond	2.1	11,734
Seattle-Tacoma	2.1	37,664
Cincinnati	2.0	18,435
Salt Lake City	1.9	18,165
Greensboro-High Point	1.9	13,313
Dallas-Ft. Worth	1.9	48,922
Raleigh-Durham	1.9	20,691
Columbus, OH	1.9	17,064
St. Louis	1.8	22,826
Ft. Myers	1.8	9,273
Kansas City	1.8	17,588
Phoenix	1.8	34,001
Chicago	1.8	63,248
Charlotte	1.8	20,420
Philadelphia	1.8	52,266
Denver	1.7	26,721
Orlando	1.7	24,810
San Antonio	1.6	13,519
Indianapolis	1.6	18,136
Dayton	1.6	7,653
Jacksonville-N. Brunswk.	1.6	10,978
Detroit	1.6	30,039
Cleveland	1.6	23,888
Milwaukee	1.5	13,856
Greenville-Sprtnburg-Ash	1.5	13,015
Knoxville	1.5	8,208
Albuquerque	1.5	10,170
Louisville	1.5	9,446
New Orleans	1.4	8,978
Memphis	1.4	9,371
Buffalo	1.4	8,994
Portland, OR	1.3	15,762
Pittsburgh	1.3	14,834
Tulsa	1.2	6,456
Nashville	1.2	12,068
Birmingham	1.1	8,073
Minneapolis-St. Paul	0.9	15,674
Oklahoma City	0.7	4,898
Metered Market Average:	2.1	1,662,756

HAMPTON ROADS PIRANHAS PARTNER WITH CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH TO WEBCAST GAMES LIVE IN 2010

03/11/2010 06:49 PM

Virginia Beach, Virginia - The Hampton Roads Piranhas are pleased to announce that Premier Development League and W-League home and away matches this season will be webcast live in partnership with the City of Virginia Beach as the presenting sponsor. The season will begin May 9 when the PDL Piranhas travel to Reading to kick of this seasons campaign. The W-League will open their 2010 season on May 14 at Charlotte.

"The Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau is excited to be partnering with the Hampton Roads Piranhas, a true force in the United Soccer Leagues who just celebrated their 15^th anniversary in 2009," says Ron Kuhlman, Vice President of Tourism Marketing & Sales for the Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau. "What an amazing time to extend our outreach with enhanced media coverage which will include commercial radio, game day announcements and live game day web casts on the Hampton Roads Piranhasb web site that will reach a global audience. We want people to learn more about this amazing franchise that we are so fortunate to have right here in Hampton Roads."

Marcie Laumann, Piranhas President, is equally pleased with the partnership. "The Piranhas are thrilled to partner with the City of Virginia Beach to be able to provide a global audience accessibility to our games via audio web casts. With 15 seasons under our belt, the Piranhas have former players and many fans spread across the world. These web casts will allow our fans to listen to the matches live and enjoy the action."

All Piranhas webcasts in 2010 will begin 30 minutes before kickoff with a game preview. Webcasts can be accessed through the Piranhasb website at www.hrpiranhas.com and all webcasts are free.

For more information on the 2010 Hampton Roads Piranhas, including tickets and sponsorships, please call 757-226-9040 or visit www.hrpiranhas.com.