[1] Team Chairman Jeff Cooper's organization SLSU has plans for a soccer-specific stadium ready, but the construction will not start until St. Louis is also awarded an MLS franchise.

[3] On 24 September 2008, the 2008 WPS International Draft was conducted; Brazilians Daniela and Renata Costa, Swedish striker Lotta Schelin and Canadian Melissa Tancredi also were allocated to St.

On the positive side, both Larsson[8] and Aluko[9] have expressed a large interest in Athletica, and have made statements suggesting that they will be coming, despite no contracts officially being announced as of early January 2009.

With solid play from USWNT players Lori Chalupny, Hope Solo, and Tina Ellertson, and breakout scoring force from English international Eniola Aluko, Athletica fought back to clinch second place in the league two games before their season was over, only losing to two teams (Los Angeles and the Washington Freedom) for the rest of the season.

In the first match where they did not highly outshoot their opponent (in fact, were beat in shots 15-28) Athletica scored three goals, the first two by solo work from Daniela.

Despite leading 3-1 by the middle of the second half, though, Athletica let in two more goals to only come away from the game with a tie after both Daniela and Tina Ellertson were injured within five minutes of each other.

[20] Daniela was also sidelined indefinitely, potentially for the rest of the season, after a tackle from Abby Wambach on the rain-wet field gave her "two injured knee ligaments and a crack in her tibia."

Gold Pride dominated the second half, though, especially with Melissa Tancredi subbing out due to injury, but Solo kept the clean sheet with several spectacular saves to preserve Athletica's first win.

Despite coming off of a bye week and missing multiple starters due to injury, suspension, and national team duty, Athletica avenged their home opener with a 2-0 victory over the Red Stars.

Athletica continued to climb the WPS standings with a 1-0 win over the Breakers in their second trip to Harvard Stadium, leapfrogging into second place.

[29] The win means Athletica has climbed the standings from sixth to second place in just two weeks, and has won four of its last five games, the only loss being to league-leaders Los Angeles.

Athletica played the better game for the most part, forcing Freedom 'keeper Erin McLeod to make seven saves, but never getting past her or the crossbar, which was hit on at least three occasions.

[30] Athletica returned to their early season form in their third match against the Los Angeles Sol, highly outplaying the visitors at Soccer Park, but ending the game with a 1-2 loss.

Both coaches agreed the Sol capitalized on the only two chances at goal they ever really had, with Han Duan scoring in the 50th minute and Marta doubling LA's lead in the 73rd.

[31][32] In a move to trim the roster back down to regular size, Athletica announced a trade with Sky Blue FC on June 26, 2009.

The Sol, on an 11-game unbeaten streak and able to clinch first place with a win, were shocked by a 1-0 decision in Athletica's favor, thanks to an 11th-minute goal by Cinalli (assisted by Aluko).

[36] Athletica could not finish the four-game away run perfectly, dropping their last match against the Freedom 0-1 from a late goal by Homare Sawa in the 74th minute.

Both teams were missing multiple players due to international friendlies; Athletica saw a very different lineup, where defender Niki Cross starting as a forward, and recent acquisition Sarah Walsh subbing in during the second half.

Loyden was not tested much either, but a deflection on Sawa's kick sent the ball closer to the near post than anticipated, giving the Freedom the win.

Aluko notched the game's only goal in the 48th minute, and Loyden earned her second shutout with seven saves, including one very impressive one-on-one against Natasha Kai, to preserve the win.

Ultimately, Gold Pride prevented Athletica from clinching a playoff spot when Christine Sinclair put one past Solo in the 88th minute.

The win was made even more impressive by the fact of how much coach Jorge Barcellos rested the regular starters: Chalupny came off at halftime, Walsh came off in the 73rd minute, and Aluko, Cross, and Cinalli stayed on the bench for the whole game.

Gold Pride had the better of play for most of the remainder of the match, though after Aluko subbed in for Walsh in the 88th, she sent several shots at Barnhart, almost scoring the winning goal several times.

Athletica controlled the second half well, taking many shots as the final whistle neared, but none made it past NJ keeper Jenni Branam.

With the result, Sky Blue continued its improbable playoff run to the final while Athletica was left to prepare for the expansion draft and next season.