When FC Gold Pride opens training camp on Monday, Brandi Chastain won't be there. Chastain, one of the great names in women's soccer, was recently released by WPS's Bay Area club.

"I was devastated when they told me," said the 41-year-old Chastain. "I'm mad now. They want to give the younger players the chance. I can understand the thinking, but I don't like it. I'm still good enough to be out there, absolutely.''

Despite the struggles women's pro soccer has endured -- Chastain also played in the WUSA, which folded in 2003 -- she believes it has a positive future. "Any progress we make with soccer -- and we are -- is good progress,'' Chastain said. "We have a Mount Everest in front of us, but people who are dedicated and passionate about the sport aren't giving up. There are millions of young girls going to soccer fields around the country every day to play. Whe n those girls become CEOs and decide where corporate money is going to be spent, things will change quickly.''