...a phrase used by equalizer podcasters (maybe others are using it as well). (https://equalizersoccer.com/2019/01/07/the-equalizer-podcast-episode-41-the-draft-approaches/) they seem to suggest that a davidson approach to ussoccer led to them inventing this new eligibility rule. the league didn't necessarily want it. there is indeed a lot of money to leave on the table (allocation $$, world cup $$, victory or consolation tour $$) if she plays this year as an amateur. but is this a good thing?
Drafts are a mechanism that eliminates the free movement of players and suppresses wages. Given the short period that an athlete can make money, especially female, anything that does that is bad, imo. So, anything that reduces the scope of the draft is good. If Davidson wanted to leave college for a job anywhere in the world, she could do it. It is only in her chosen profession, and only in her domestic league, that she cannot thanks to anti-market rules put in place by NWSL. An exception is made for Davidson, and Pugh before her actually, because USSF wants her to turn pro before the WC.
it was her half hearted UCLA ’college career’ instead of signing with the Thorns that lead to her ending up in Washington. Apparently nobody told her they expected her to do other things than soccer. She missed a year of competitive soccer just when she was taking off.
Pugh's game was always one dimensional. Run around a defender then shoot wildly or pass blindly. Eventually, with the USWNT or in NWSL or in Europe, she was going to get to a level where she couldn't always run around a defender. That is where she is now. Playing in college and running around defenders would not have helped her development. Just because she has hit an obstacle in development doesn't mean she made the wrong choice or that the move hurt her. She was going to have to play in the NWSL, she was going to hit this point in her development. Why not do it at 19 instead of 22? This is like when people say Brek Shea ruined his career by going to Europe. Going to Europe simply exposed the holes in his game and he couldn't overcome them. Going to Europe didn't create the deficiencies; such strange thinking. In the last few games you can see Pugh cutting in more, picking her head up, and looking for a pass. This is a sign she is learning.
Her teasing around UCLA for a while longer makes her an inside joke amongst UCLA fans at the games now. "Wow look at Ashley Sanchez on the ball! Much better than what's her face that dumped the team... what's her name again? gee I forgot" We don't miss her nor does UCLA miss her.
Pugh has score a goal ~ every 3.5 games she's played in, including a goal against each of Japan and France.
American sports fans love drafts. It provides excitement, entertainment, gambling, something to look forward to and talk about on the off-season, drafts make commercial money, etc. It is part of our culture and unlike Europe, our Universities are not just centers of learning but hot-beds of sports, all kinds of sports and provides a feeder system into the pro world. It will always be part of American sports. Just like relegation will never be part of American Sports culture, the College draft will always be.
But is it better for the players? No. Nothing about the NCAA system and closed leagues with drafts is anything but a negative for the players. It does enrich the owners and the coaches. And I guess you are entertained one day out of the year, so there is that. But you are right, soccer in other countries is a dead zone of media during the period between matches... The baseball draft is a non-event culturally and that sport has done fine historically.
always a part of american sports, yes. always a part of american soccer, no. woso is indeed far behind, but good soccer players will take the college route less and less. some mls clubs seem to be wondering about its value. here’s one club’s approach to it this year. http://www.philly.com/soccer/mls-su...hiladelphia-union-fc-cincinnati-20190110.html
I can not comment on this decision because a) I am not a world-class athlete and b) I am not smart enough to get into Stanford.