Bradenton Athletics
Encyclopedia
Bradenton Athletics were a professional American women's soccer team based in Bradenton, Florida
. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues
W-League
, then the premier women's soccer league in the United States
and Canada
, from 2004–2008, when they folded. They played in the Atlantic Division of the W-League's Eastern Conference.
The team was associated with the IMG Soccer Academy
, the United States Soccer Federation
's full-time youth residency program, which itself is part of the larger IMG Academies
organization initiated by tennis coach Nick Bollettieri
in 1978. They played their home games at the IMG Soccer Academy's stadium in Bradenton. The team was a sister organization of the men's Bradenton Academics
team, which plays in the USL Premier Development League
. Their colors were blue, gold and black.
Bradenton, Florida
Bradenton is a city in Manatee County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's 2007 population to be 53,471. Bradenton is the largest Principal City of the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2007 estimated population of 682,833...
. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues
United Soccer Leagues
The United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and...
W-League
W-League
The USL W-League is a national women's soccer league in the United States on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the Women's Premier Soccer League and below Women's Professional Soccer....
, then the premier women's soccer league in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, from 2004–2008, when they folded. They played in the Atlantic Division of the W-League's Eastern Conference.
The team was associated with the IMG Soccer Academy
IMG Soccer Academy
The IMG Soccer Academy is part of the IMG Academies located in Bradenton, Florida. It is U.S. Soccer's full-time residency program for the United States' U-17 and U-16 mens national teams. Started in 1999, it has become integral in developing the United States' top youth soccer prospects...
, the United States Soccer Federation
United States Soccer Federation
The United States Soccer Federation is the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. Its headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois. It is a member of FIFA and is responsible for governing amateur and professional soccer, including the men's, women's, youth, futsal...
's full-time youth residency program, which itself is part of the larger IMG Academies
IMG Academies
IMG Academies is a world-class training facility for athletic, academic and personal development. For more than 30 years, the Academy's training methods have helped youth, adult, collegiate and professional athletes improve in sport and life...
organization initiated by tennis coach Nick Bollettieri
Nick Bollettieri
Nicholas James Bollettieri is an American tennis coach who is credited with developing many world-class champions, including Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Monica Seles, and Mary Pierce. Recently, he has worked with 2006 U.S. Open champion Maria Sharapova, Jelena Janković, Nicole Vaidišová and Sabine...
in 1978. They played their home games at the IMG Soccer Academy's stadium in Bradenton. The team was a sister organization of the men's Bradenton Academics
Bradenton Academics
The Bradenton Academics are an American soccer team based in Bradenton, Florida, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference.The team is associated with...
team, which plays in the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
. Their colors were blue, gold and black.
2008 roster
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 | USL W-League | 6th, Atlantic | |
| 2005 | 1 | USL W-League | 6th, Atlantic | |
| 2006 | 1 | USL W-League | 7th, Atlantic | |
| 2007 | 1 | USL W-League | 6th, Atlantic | |
| 2008 | 1 | USL W-League | 8th, Atlantic | Did not qualify |