Utah Spiders hosting WPSL championship

Some of the best up-and-coming talent in U.S. women's soccer will be on display this weekend in Draper.

And those youngsters will be complemented by a number of International veterans.

The Utah Spiders, a women's amateur team, are hosting the Women's Premier Soccer League Final Four today and tomorrow at Juan Diego Catholic High.

Organizers and players alike are hopeful that the blend of youth and veterans will make the finals an exciting event.

The San Diego WFC Sea Lions are a perfect example of that. San Diego's lineup tonight will likely feature a pair of former World Cup players — Ouying Zhang of China and Jennifer Lalor-Nielsen of the United States. But it also has a number of young players, too, that will anchor the side.

"It's a pretty good mix," said Lalor-Nielsen.

San Diego will take on Long Island at 6 tonight in the first semifinal, which will be followed by River Cities and Ajax America at 8. The winners will play for the WPSL championship at 8 p.m. Saturday, while the losers will have a consolation game at 6 p.m.

Tickets for the four games are $10 for adults and $5 for children. There is also a family pack available.

Since the W-USA folded in 2003 and left the United States without a full professional women's soccer league, the WPSL represents one of two nationwide leagues in the country. (The USL's W-League is the other.)

Because of that, up-and-coming U.S. female players must decide whether to move abroad or stay at home to try to make the National Team.

Accordingly, many end up playing in the WPSL.

"The WPSL has a lot of quality players because (they're) kind of in that transition stage," Lalor-Nielsen said.

There are five U.S. U-21 Women's players on rosters of the Final Four teams. Three of the U-21 players are on Ajax (Liz Bogus of Sandy, Anna Picarelli and Ashley Valenzuela), one is on Long Island (Rebecca Moros) and one is from San Diego (Rachel Buehler).

Also, several of the players in the Final Four represent some of the top women's collegiate programs in the country, including Portland and Notre Dame.

Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. declared today and tomorrow WPSL Final Four Tournament Days. His wife, first lady Mary Kaye Huntsman, will be on hand to speak during the opening ceremonies, beginning at 5:20 p.m.