Like any dictator, the NWSL tends to do what it wants when it wants and if it doesnt work out for the teams, too bad. The first problem with putting this off is Im sure Chicago would like to know who they have for next season as they look to improve their roster. If Amy Rodriguez falls to them, which I doubt, it certainly changes some decisions. It also effects the draft. Im sure they r currently scouting college players as they have the 2nd and third picks. Again, A-Rod may change what they r looking for in the draft. Another factor is simply money. Despite getting an exemption spot for LePeilbet, they still ended up having to pay more players than most clubs. Im sure theyd like to know whether USSoccer is paying three of their players sooner than later. That said, I still think Winters is the player to be named later in the Winters deal.
I don't think I agree to the assertion that NWSL tends to do what it wants. That will be the case if we had long standing rules that they where willingly ignoring. However, given that the allocation process is still fluid and the rules are still been determine, I think that characterization is a bit misleading. Also, I'm sure most of the teams considers this growing pains. In my opinion, I rather that trade is not finalize until the allocation thingy is cleared up because a team could get screwed again. As you said, if Winter is the player that is sent to Chicago and she loses her status, Chicago is screwed as her salary will now count against the cap.
Everything is fluid. There r no long standing rules because the NWSL creates them as need. The first thing u do when u start a league is adopt the rules. The rule the the NWSL adopted is we'll let u know. Example. Look how the rules for entry into the league changed. Allocation was fluid enough to maneuver Morgan to Portland. The college draft set up was changed at the last minute. The league schedule was changed from the announced format. This is now year two....what were finding out is they r still working out the details that needed to be established in year one.
As to Winters, she doesnt really matter. Either all the slots (24!!!!!) will be filled by US subsidized players or not. Chicago should have three players from the NT pool getting paid by USSF. If not that idea has to be scrapped and something new developed. Whatever they do they need to do it now. The fluid leak is getting worse.
Story on Equalizer about Hope Solo getting a six figure offer from Man City who is moving into the WSL. Whats the owners reaction? Maybe they should have gone with Sounders after all. http://equalizersoccer.com/2013/10/02/hope-solo-manchester-city-ladies-offer-seattle-reign-fc/
Do we know if Solo is under contract or the exact terms of her contract? It might be that what the Seattle owner said is true. In which case, the blame should be with USSF. I seriously doubt that if she has a valid contract they will just let her go.
She is under contract to Seattle for one more year...this is known. Predmore is just that nice a guy. Maybe he figures he cant win without Rapinoe so why hold Solo back from a big pay day. I wonder if he runs his other business in such a benevolent manner. The upshot is every city deserves ownership that does everything it can to bring them a championship. Because of the salary cap, ownership has a hard enough time getting key players without farming out its best players besides.
One shouldn't forget that Predmore and Solo are fairly buddy-buddy, or at least try to appear so; recall back to the preseason conference they held where the two of them talked about the team and the upcoming season. I think Predmore's just saying she can do what she wants because a) he likes her enough to say she can do what she wants, or b) she's Hope Solo, and if you want her to perform well for you, you need to let her think she's in control.
Well it is true that she will have the opportunity to sign with Man City after her contract is up. That is a fact. Whether Seattle is willing to keep her is another issue. And from his statement, I think he was referring to the former. Also, this may be a positive spin to all this. Maybe he is making this statement about Solo and Rapinoe to subtly let USSoccer know that maybe they need to do more to guarantee that stars remain in the US. By highlighting the fact that there's nothing preventing these players from leaving, maybe that's his way of rebelling against the current system.
Oh I agree 100% but if I were a Seattle season ticket holder Id be standing out in front of Predmores castle with a torch. It's not entirely ownerships fault. They need a way to protect their NT players if they chose to. It just sends a terrible message to the fan base. If Solo does take the offer what's the season ticket sales pitch...meet Amy Rodriguez' baby???
I think he was saying he'd loan her to Man City if she asked him to. He just went thru the same thing with Rapinoe. Man City isnt starting a WSL team in 2014 based on their starting keeper arriving in 2015.
Is Rapinoe loaned to Lyon or did she sign a deal with them? I thought she had a two year deal with Lyon
Dan Lauletta @TheDanLauletta 4m Multiple sources confirm Red Stars will get freshly allocated U.S. player to complete trade that sent Keelin Winters to Seattle #NWSL Sounds like Winters is not going to be allocated next season, so Chicago gets their allocated player after all and Seattle gets to keep their players.
My guess here is that if Winters is no longer allocated, which it appears she will not be, Chicago will get Engen instead of Press. Depending on what happens with A-rod, Seattle will get Press or Press will be sent to Washington.
Considering Chicago has had trouble in the forward spot since their WPS days, I also agree they deserve to have Press.
If the NWSL brass know what they are doing, they will allocate Christen Press to Chicago which will greatly help in attendance as well as give the Red Stars something they critically need. A great forward. I also would love to have Whitney Engen back in a CRS uniform and Chicago girl Vanessa DiBernardo in the college draft.
Chicago isn't the only team that could use a forward. Washington does as well, and they weren't given one in the initial allocation.
Right. However, from what I hear from people here on B.S. is that Washington had good attendance last season. The Red Stars have some catching up to do in the attendance area. Why not give Chicago an up and coming POPULAR player that can boost attendance. It will be good for the Red Stars and good for the league.
If Engen gets to go where she wants, I'd expect her to end up in Washington with her bestie. Even though Washington could use a forward, they could stand to improve defensively as well.
I foresee the committee of experts reconvening and give Chicago...envelop please... DM Yael Averbuch ... because everyone knows they like to allocate DMs to Chicago.
With Cheryl Bailey's penchant for organizing drafts, that might be the way they go. In that case they likely go worst record to best depending on whether they have an empty slot. Or maybe they use the same half assed formula and committee of "experts" that produced the original allocation. Slots and potential slots Washington ... Lindsey? Harris? Seattle ... A-Rod? Chicago ... Winters LePeilbet? Boston ... Mitts Sky Blue ... Rampone? Portland Kansas City WNY ... Empty Slot (maybe if Franch has a good winter they throw her in there)
Jeff Kassouf tweeted today that a Woman's Football Taskforce is looking into the possibility of a FIFA Womens Club World Cup.
Yeah I saw that tweet as well and think it would be a wonderful thing. I've created a thread in the Rivalry Forum to discuss it.