[UNC4EVER]

I'm not worried that our rising junior women are gonna take their rings and "go pro", but I have wondered about the impact of the WPS on fifth year players.

Has anyone else given thought to the impact of the WPS on redshirted seniors from top national programs? If they are good students close to graduation, seems like the choice might be, stick around for year 5 (eligibility year 4) and play generally weaker opponents, or : go to work as a professional player making a (modestly) living wage. I realize emotional considerations like: have you won a Nat. Championship, might this be "our year", will be a factor, but if that doesn't weigh heavily-- it seems this would be an interesting choice for academically advanced, quality players. Anybody have opinions or information?

[Cliveworshipper]

Originally Posted by UNC4EVER

I'm not worried that our rising junior women are gonna take their rings and "go pro", but I have wondered about the impact of the WPS on fifth year players.

Has anyone else given thought to the impact of the WPS on redshirted seniors from top national programs? If they are good students close to graduation, seems like the choice might be, stick around for year 5 (eligibility year 4) and play generally weaker opponents, or : go to work as a professional player making a (modestly) living wage. I realize emotional considerations like: have you won a Nat. Championship, might this be "our year", will be a factor, but if that doesn't weigh heavily-- it seems this would be an interesting choice for academically advanced, quality players. Anybody have opinions or information?

Rapinoe left with one, possibly two (if she went after it) years of eligibility left, so It's already happened.

National team redshirt 2004
played College 2005
injury redshirt 2006 (ACL)
injury redshirt 2007 (ACL)
played College 2008

WPS 2009

I think she had her BA in mid 2007

[UNC4EVER]

Originally Posted by Cliveworshipper

Rapinoe left with one, possibly two (if she went after it) years of eligibility left, so It's already happened.

National team redshirt 2004
played College 2005
injury redshirt 2006 (ACL)
injury redshirt 2007 (ACL)
played College 2008

WPS 2009

I think she had her BA in mid 2007

Interesting. It seems to have worked out well for her. Its an obvious choice to ponder for UNC's Ali Hawkins, aong others. Especially with WPS expansion creating such a wide open opportunity in 2010, and with the WWC looming down the road...

[cpthomas]

One of the factors is that it may be easier to make a WPS roster the first few years than it will be a little later. I believe this was one of the factors that figured in some of the U-20s not red-shirting last year. In the old days, they well might have red-shirted, but it would have meant deferring going to WPS until a year later.

[soccerposter]

ummmm...Ashlee Elliott?

No telling? Wish her the best either way.

[kool-aide]

Originally Posted by soccerposter

ummmm...Ashlee Elliott?

didn't she just tear her acl?

As far as players w/ a year of eligibility left who have graduated from their institution forgoing the last year to try and make a WPS squad, that's a risky proposition. Now, some of the elite (the U20 players cpthomas mentioned--interesting rumor, btw) might feel a bit better about their prospects. And they are likely correct in that thought. But, I'd think any returning player that wasn't an All-American (1st or 2nd) might find it difficult to make a WPS team. Depends on how many teams there are, too. If there is another expansion team next year, then there will be 18 more jobs.

[Cliveworshipper]

Originally Posted by kool-aide

didn't she just tear her acl?

As far as players w/ a year of eligibility left who have graduated from their institution forgoing the last year to try and make a WPS squad, that's a risky proposition. Now, some of the elite (the U20 players cpthomas mentioned--interesting rumor, btw) might feel a bit better about their prospects. And they are likely correct in that thought. But, I'd think any returning player that wasn't an All-American (1st or 2nd) might find it difficult to make a WPS team. Depends on how many teams there are, too. If there is another expansion team next year, then there will be 18 more jobs.

In Rapinoe's case I don't think it was so much for WPS reasons as to enable her to better concentrate on her National Team prospects, though I'm sure WPS had some roll in the decision.

[Jarndyce]

As much as I want the WPS to succeed, unless a player is a guaranteed top 10 pick...I think the prudent thing is play out all college eligibility.

Heck, begin work on a postgrad degree if you can....

[Cliveworshipper]

Originally Posted by Jarndyce

As much as I want the WPS to succeed, unless a player is a guaranteed top 10 pick...I think the prudent thing is play out all college eligibility.

Heck, begin work on a postgrad degree if you can....

That's exactly what Megan Rapinoe's Twin sister Rachael did. She's taking courses for med school now.