On February 15, 2000, it was announced that the first professional women's soccer league would be formed by a number of major U.S. media companies and individual investors in response to the successful and hugely popular U.S. women's national soccer team who had won the
1999 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Time Warner Cable invested $5,000,000 for the operating rights for a team in the New York market. In addition to the upfront financial investment, league investors also provided resources for staff, facilities, and promotional efforts via cable television.
Team name and stadium unveiled On November 16, 2000, the league announced the names of the eight teams admitted in the league. The New York Power was announced as the team name for the New York area with games to be played at the 10,000 capacity
Mitchel Athletic Complex, a multi-purpose athletic facility located in
Uniondale, New York. The team name was selected by team's front office with the slogan "Get emPOWERed" used in promotional materials.
2002 season During the league's second season, the Power finished last in the regular season standings with a 3–17–1 record. The club had a rough time recovering from a number of injuries and the retirement of Norwegian defender
Gro Espeseth, who departed after the inaugural season. Goalkeeper
Gao Hong, defender
Christie Pearce and defender-midfielder
Sara Whalen all suffered injuries destabilizing the team. In July, head coach
Pat Farmer was fired after the team lost many more games than it won or tied. Assistant coach and former
Rutgers University coach
Charles Duccilli was named head coach. The team's general manager, Susan Marenoff, said of the coaching swap, "The team needed a change ... Pat worked very hard to make the best team he could. I really think we needed a different style, and that's what we've accomplished." Australia women's national team coach and
San Jose CyberRays assistant coach,
Tom Sermanni, was named head coach during the 2002 postseason. The Power finished the regular season with a 7–9–5 record. Forward
Christie Welsh led the team in goals with six while midfielder
Shannon Boxx led in assists with eight. Inaugural season star
Tiffeny Milbrett ranked second on the team for goals (5) and assists (6) and led the team in shots (51), shots on goal (22) and points (16). Goalkeeper
Saskia Webber made 50 saves during her 13 appearances for the club recording a 1.52 goals against average (GAA). ==Year-by-year==