Rapinoe to magicJack http://www.womensprosoccer.com/Home/philadelphia/news/general/112106-rapinoe-trade-mj.aspx
dan's plan is clear. he may not end up on top of the league table. but he certainly is building a team that can win single games in the playoffs including a possible one off championship game against the flash.
He's not yet built a team that can win games on the road (other than versus Atlanta), which is where they're going to have to win all of their playoff matches.
Dang. Doesn't help mJ pick up points during the WWC but :shrug: Well, Rapinoe is now the answer to a WPS trivia question. First player traded for a fee rather than another player/draft picks.
Rapinoe really had no place on this team when returning from WWC with Lindsey, Farrelly and DiMartino all ahead of her on the MF depth chart. So why pay her high salary to have her be a part-time. It would have been nice to try and pry away one of MJs outside backs as compensation but a straight salary dump works for me as well.
are they not allowed to play at home? if they finish in 3rd they get one home game, and if they finish 2nd they get 2 home games.
Well, it's a combination of figuring they're going to finish fourth at best at the rate they're going and forgetting the WPS playoff format - which you've also done as each team gets no more than one home game: 4 plays at 3 Winner plays at 2 Winner plays at 1 But I suppose there's a chance they could both finish higher and be allowed by WPS to host a match at their little pseudo-stadium, so my apologies for the confusion.
I would think the inability to accomodate FSC's TV setup rules them out for a home playoff game. Can't imagine WPS would allow them to have a "dark" playoff game there, unless they worked out another location.
good player but there are many players that can serve balls like that.. That was just one of many and happen to be a HUGE cross....but philly has great flanks
Yeah, it was a beauty of a cross but Rapinoe always felt out of place on that team. We have a ton of mids that can make that cross that are not even starting. Also, if the rumored transfer fee is correct, I say it was a brilliant trade
Agreed on all counts. With DiMartino, Farrelly, Vero and Lori L coming back, this team has enough firepower in the MF and I read that the money they got back could pay for several players' salaries.
Frida has headed back to Iceland to play for Valur, one of the top Icelandic pro teams headed for the European Champions Cup. I wonder what happened in Philly as it seemed she wasn't playing very much? Rumor has it she will be playing for Valur on Tuesday in regular league play. http://www.fotbolti.net/fullStory.php?action=viewStory&id=111895 Google Translate is my friend.
That's too bad, she was a real fan favorite. She was at the practice facility yesterday, but isn't rostered for today's game. She played mostly defense for them last season, but was always a bit of a liability back there, unless, of course, she had just steamrolled one of the opposition. When they picked up McNeill and Robinson, she had trouble getting minutes in back. And she doesn't seem to play the attacking style at midfield/forward that Riley likes. So I can kind of understand. But we'll definitely miss her.
I read an interview with Riley after they sold Rapinoe and he said he was looking at possibly bringing in an international player from Germany or Sweden. I would think that would be a defensive player being that they are stacked at MF and F and G and have Estelle Johnson and Robinson starting at outside back. They did draft Charlotte Rohlin of Sweden last year but I think she is a CB. I'd love to see them sign Krieger but Jeff Kassouf said that there is no interest on the part of Philly.
...which is ironic because the last time I saw her, I was thinking she was remarkably tan for someone from Iceland.
From Philly's website, an article on Magnusdottir returning to Iceland. Though she wasn't a regular starter, she was a valuable option for Coach Riley. I hope Philly doesn't miss her too much. Nice thing is she talks about returning in 2012.
I love seeing internationals talk about WPS that way. (Also seeing WPS and 2012 mentioned together that way. ^.^) I hope PHI is making the same impression on its Spanish duo. Though then I wonder why they haven't left yet when MagnusD has...
Kind of a silly question. Frida needed to get back for national team training and duty, and hadn't been much of a factor for Philly this season. Her lack of consistent playing time may have made her return a necessity, to prove to her national team coach that she's still a top player. Vero is probably Philly's MVP, considering the kind of impact she's had on the team in less than a full season. Del Rio has been a valuable sub. Both seem very happy there, so why on earth would they leave?
Well, Frida seemed happy too. I guess I was under the impression that when NTs start preparing, they call up their players all around the same time. I hadn't thought of the "need to prove yourself" aspect. =-/ =edit= And, while browsing the Women's International forum, I just noticed that del Rio may have been dropped out of the Spanish WNT picture anyway. =-( Shame.
17/07 Beat 0-1 Independence (Boquete) 24/07 Sky Blue 2-0 Independence 28/07 Breakers 0-1 Independence (Boquete) 01/08 Independence 1-0 Beat (Boquete) Wow, 3 goals worth 6 points in the last 4 games. I'm glad Vero is doing this well in the WPS Do you think she could be a contender for the rookie of the season award?