What we know so far: - They will play on the stadium field at the Maryland Soccerplex. - Key personnel are inherited from the DC United Women: Owner: Bill Lynch General manager: Chris Hummer Head coach: Mike Jorden Assistant coach: Cindi Harkes - Team colors: red, white, and blue - Website: http://washingtonspirit.com/ - Twitter handle: @WashSpirit
I like the idea of the logo but it looks kinds "flat" to me, like it's a logo from the '90's. Not in a bad way (like some of the absolutely garish original MLS logos) but it just doesn't "pop". The styling on the "DC" is pretty sweet, though. That said, I'm just glad we can start talking about it directly. I hope we start getting some player names by the end of the month! (Also, glad to see they're keeping a W-League team active.)
I predict the Spirit will be in the inaugural match, and it will be televised. Probably the Spirit vs. the Sirens (or Rose City). Get the East and West Coast fans both excited about the inaugural match. Don't make the inaugural match East vs. East, or West vs. West. Make it East vs. West. Then you can make the Rose City (Portland) vs. Seattle game an anticipated matchup in week 3 or so. Same for Boston vs. Sky Blue. Maybe have the rivalry matches in the same week (one time during the season), and call it "Rivalry Week", in mid-season, to re-energize the fans for the 2nd half of the season.
Agreed on all counts. Logo is a step back from the WPS Freedom logo (though still a step up from the WUSA one, which I always thought was surreal). I would hope that they'd announce the NT allocations in the next couple of weeks, but we'll see. I'm also quite happy that they're maintaining the Freedom tradition of supporting both a pro team and a high-level amateur team. I should still be able to see most of my favorite players from last year's DCU Women, even the ones who are still in school.
Washington Spirit receive seven players from NWSL allocation My thoughts: Washington Spirit Allocation - First Thoughts
Ashlyn Harris is currently under contract with Duisburg in the Bundesliga for 2013. She leaves for Germany on Saturday. She may be only available from mid-May thru July. Ashlyn Harris @Ashlyn_Harris @NWSLNews yes but I leave for Germany Saturday morning. We might have to do it over email or Skype when I get there. Jeff Kassouf @JeffKassouf RE: Harris. MT @womensoccer_de I had a chat with Duisburgs sporting director and he said she will definitely finish the season w/ Duisburg.
Ali Krieger is set to be interviewed by John Harkes and Tony Meola on SiriusXM FC radio in just a few minutes: http://www.siriusxm.com/siriusxmfc
She not only would have been on the team, she would have started. And Kelley O'Hara wouldn't have played a single minute as a defender by now. In fact, O'Hara would have been a midfielder on that team the entire time, but would have been allocated in the league as a "Forward", since not that many were allocated at that position by the U.S.
It doesn't make sense that the Spirit didn't get a single Olympian. Harris being gone for quite a bit of the season just adds salt to the wound.
Nice interview with Krieger on Black and Red site. Cover a lot of stuff. http://www.blackandredunited.com/wa...i-krieger-mike-jorden-chris-hummer-allocation OK, well it wasnt an interview just the recap of one so let me recap the recap 1. Getting Krieger was considered a priority by the Spirit 2. They werent at all surprised Portland and WNY did so well in allocation and believe putting the stars in best venues is good for the league. 3. They r looking for attacking players in free agency and the Draft (big shocker there) 4. They dont know the draft order yet That was a couple new things for me at least. Still not sure why they wont do the blind draw so teams know where they r picking.
O'Hara replaced Tarpley who got injured after being named to the WC, and was made defender after Ali hurt. Right places at right times. Its highly likely WPS_ would otherwise be listing O'Hara as a free agent.
Even if Tarpley "and" Krieger didn't get hurt, I gotta think O'Hara was ahead of Winters for an allocation spot. After Tarpley got hurt, O'hara was brought on to the team, not Winters. Therefore, I think O'Hara was always ahead of Winters on the pecking order, hence O'Hara should have been allocated ahead of Winters, if it ever came down to those two. If Tarpley were still here now (and Krieger was one of the 23 allocated this time), then I think Winters would be the odd one out, not O'Hara. But we don't have proof of that.
I'll buy that, but still alot of ifs. Using the logic in reverse, I would running the company instead of the other guy now.
I would imagine it came down more to position of need to fill out the depth roster for the WWC. There are pecking lists at each position. If Boxx had been injured, imo, it would have been Winters called in, not Ohara. I don't really expect a DM to be called in to replace a forward / midfielder. Similarly, I would have expected that neither one of them would be picked if the injured player had been a CB.
Well, It looks like the Spirit have the 2nd pick in the draft: Who do you pick? Mewis of Nairn? Other? http://equalizersoccer.com/2013/01/16/nwsl-college-draft-order-set-for-friday/#comment-6028 The draft order is as follows: 1. Chicago Red Stars 2. Washington Spirit 3. FC Kansas City 4. Sky Blue FC 5. Boston Breakers 6. Western New York Flash 7. Seattle Reign FC 8. Portland Thorns FC
I was dithering over this, then Googled photos of Caroline Miller and decided we definitely need her at the Soccerplex.
It will be either Miller or Nairn. I don't think they'll waste their top pick on a GK if Harris will be back relatively soon. Between the two I'm partial to Nairn but DC does need some forwards...
Yeah, some people think we're going to take Franch, but the Flash need her more than we do. My guess is that Chicago takes Mewis, and we take Nairn. Hoping we can get at least two of our four locals: Nairn, Miller, Tiffany McCarty (who used to play for the Freedom's W-League team and scored their final goal in the 2007 championship match), and Holly King (who was superb for the DCU Women in 2012).
StarCityFan, I may come out there (DC) this season for a game and visit some friends in the area. Hope to see you again. Wouldn't it be cool to have a NWSL and MLS doubleheader game again? I had a blast at the CRS/Freedom - Fire/DC United doubleheader a few years back.
That would be cool and not a question I've seen anyone ask the Spirit organization yet. I'll have to see if there are any plans when I get the chance.
She's not the next Morgan "off the field". Miller doesn't exactly have the same sex appeal that Horse has. It just won't happen, but she's still young and attractive, and a great attacking goal scorer. But don't expect any P.R. to blow up over her looks. She's attractive, but won't be doing any body paint photo shoots. She doesn't have the lower 2/3 body, and the face that Morgan has. That's what Horse has over everyone else to be the Queen in that role, in terms of sexual marketability. Most men who don't watch soccer, or don't know anything about soccer, they still know who Alex Morgan is. They won't know who Caroline Miller is, even if Miller scores 30 goals in her rookie season, and blows up on the national team soon.
With the allocations in place, I'd bet on WNY @ Portland. Guaranteed sellout plus the league's marquee players all on the same pitch.