Seattle Sounders Women (W-League, 2012)

Sounders Women Hire Amy Carnell as General Manager

“I’ve been fortunate to work for a first class organization that continues to set the bar for Soccer in America,” said Carnell. “To walk the halls with Adrian Hanauer and the brilliant staff who make up Sounders FC is a truly unique experience. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to bring that same passion and excellence to the women’s game.”

Carnell's first big move will be announced next week when the Sounders Women announce their new head coach...

Nice, the Whitecaps are also in W-league right? all they need is the Timber girls.

Yes, Whitecaps are a powerhouse in W-League.

Portland has the Rain, of the WPSL.

Michelle French hired as new head coach!

http://goalwa.wordpress.com/2012/01/05/sounders-women-hire-michelle-french-as-new-head-coach/

http://goalwa.wordpress.com/2012/01/18/q-a-with-sounders-women-gm-amy-carnell/

Q & A

Michelle French Interview

http://goalwa.wordpress.com/2012/01/26/michelle-french-excited-about-sounders-womens-potential/

http://goalwa.wordpress.com/2012/01...serve-praise-for-adopting-minor-league-clubs/

I may not be thrilled at the loss of a local club identity in the process, but Seattle Sounders FC deserve praise for this week’s move to share their crest with the Sounders Women and the new Sounders U-23s.

Pretty snazzy if you ask me. Guess the Women will have rave green kits as well, instead of the USL forest (or whatever) green.

Look forward to seeing this team.

Open Tryout Details:

http://goalwa.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/sounders-women-announce-2012-open-tryout-details/

Officially announce new logo:

http://goalwa.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/sounders-women-officially-announce-new-logo/

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ_aEVL7Dzo"]2012 Sounders Women Season Promo - YouTube[/ame]

Shared from the WPS forum: Seattle sign Solo and Leroux

Hope Solo comes home, signs with Sounders Women

It's all true.

Article also says they've signed Leroux. Sounds like a heck of a team.

Great, Vancouver fans can boo Sydney some more and sing more delightful ditties behind Hope's back.

It's on.

I've probably just missed it, but are the Sounders Ladies going to be a professional team or are they going to have college players on as well?

They have always been amateur (2001-2011) in the past. These signings don't really clear that up for 2012. Maybe Hope and Sydney have other income sources. We'll have to see if the Sounders sign any current NCAA-eligible talent.

The understanding I have of current NCAA regulations (based on discussions involving the PDL) is that you can compete against professional atheletes and maintain your NCAA eligibility, but if you play with professionals, you lose your amature status and your NCAA eligibility. So there is nothing preventing the Sounders from going fully professional and competing in an otherwise amature league (provided league rules allow this), but once you have one pro player on the team, active NCAA would have to give up there college eligibility to play for you.

My question is, is this a symbolic signing? Solo and Leroux will have their hands full with National Team camps and call-ups. How many games are they going to play in?

They may appear in a game or two, but I wouldn't get my hopes up in seeing them game in and game out.

That's exactly right. WPS teams have had exhibitions against college teams for years without jeopardizing the eligibility of athletes on the latter teams.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2017507800_sounders15.html

Lots of new information in here on the future (and present) of the Sounders women:

http://nasn.tv/2012/amy-carnell-on-this-week-in-womens-soccer/

UP has had players play in the summer for both the Sounders and Whitcaps W league teams for years, and both Clubs have also paid players. One easy one for me to remember was when Sophie Scmidt (college) played along side Sinclair and Millbrett, who both were salaried for the Whitecaps before the WPS.

You can play with or against pros. You just can't be one, and you can't play for a team that calls itself a pro team. W league teams are clubs.

The rules are complex, but the principle is easy. First, the team you sign an amatuer contract with can't CALL itself professional. That ruled out The Women's Professional Soccer League.

The second thing is that what is important is YOUR individual contract and compensation.

To remain amatuer, you can't receive more than room, board, or reasonable expenses (travel, per diem, etc.) No endorsements or paid media appearances either - pretty much the same requirements as any college player has with their respective college.

Every college kid who plays on a national team plays with and against pros. The college kids don't get to keep the residency salaries or prize money, though.

And virtually every kid from Europe has played with pros in their clubs.


There is more. A summary more concise than the NCAA site and that talks about all ncaa divisions is here:
http://www.petersons.com/college-search/amateur-status-sports-college.aspx


And here is a list of whitecaps players. You will see both pros and amateurs on the rosters.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Vancouver_Whitecaps_Women_players