Sol GM shocked by team's collapse

• ESPN Los Angeles, Sunday, January 31, 2010 7 AM

Until a week ago, Los Angeles Sol general manager Charlie Naimo was hopeful that a new owner would be found to operate the WPS team in 2010, so the news that the team was folding came as a shock.

"In my eyes, we were done. Like it was a done deal," Naimo told Scott French. "That's why, when I got the news [the deal had fallen apart] -- 'What, is it April Fools'?' I was shocked. I couldn't believe it. You know? That's just the way the world is. Until it's all signed, it's not final. ... I never thought for a second we would fail."

The Sol's collapse came after its two ownership groups -- AEG and Blue Star LLC -- exited following its loss to Sky Blue FC in the 2009 WPS final. Losses in Year 1 were around $3 million -- more than the $2 million previously reported.

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