The Atlanta Classics have announced the release of their 14 game 1999 W-League schedule. Already the highest level of women's soccer in the united States, the W-League is now the only international women's league in the world. Last year, the W-League featured such U.S. national team stars as Michelle Akers, Kristine Lilly, Carla Overbeck, Brianna Scurry and Debbie Keller.

With the recent folding of the ABL (American Basketball League), the classics now exist as the only women's sport franchise in Atlanta.

The '99 Classics schedule includes home and away match ups with Raleigh, Jacksonville, Charlotte, Jackson and Tampa Bay; as well as games at Miami, Delaware and home against Piedmont and Long Island.

The Classics' bid for a third straight postseason appearance would take them to the conference playoffs the weekend of August 6-8. The W-! National Championship will take place in Raleigh, North Carolina the weekend of August 13-15.

The Classics are primed and ready to go after last year's season ended in a disappointing 2-1 loss to the Raleigh Wings in the South Conference Final.

"We've been one of the top teams in the nation for the past two seasons," said Classics owner and head coach Michael Sabatelle. "We had a great season last year and it took the eventual national champions to knock us out of the playoffs. We're ready for another shot at it."

The Classics will be conducting open tryouts the weekend of may 1st and 2nd - that is the same weekend the United States women's national team will be in Atlanta for an exhibition against Japan in preparation for this summer's World Cup.

"I'm very anxious to begin the selection process for the '99 Classics team," said Sabatelle. "With 1999 being the summer of the Women's World Cup, we're hoping all the fan's will start getting excited about women's soccer."