From what I've heard he was well respected throughout the league. He has a good relationship with Rory Dames and the rest of Red Stars brass, from my understanding. This is a loss, no doubt.
You're ruining all the fun! Vlatko is not longer coaching the Comets, right? So I guess maybe he can spend more time doing the player scouting sort of stuff for FCKC? Or will they be looking for a replacement GM?
On the positive side of things. HAO was one of Google's top searches in 2016 http://www.fckansascity.com/2016/12/14/heather-oreilly-named-one-top-trending-womens-soccer-players/
Any pending trades you know of CometsFan? I propose HAO to NC (Still not signed with KC and prob wants to go where her husband lives) for Switch in picks from #5 to #2 and a back-up goalie either Rowland / Eckerstrom Thoughts?????????????
Since I'm back to being official (for now) I can't comment on things like that right now. I mean it would not be professional of me to talk publicly about something like Yael and Shea being signed already, but the press release being held up because of the ownership transition. As far as trades go, I honestly have no clue. Vlatko knows what he wants and how to get there, he doesn't share that with anyone.
Glad that you can (kind of) confirm that at least Yael and Shea have resigned. Vlatko has just been SO quiet, so i'm getting antsy. Is it because of the ownership transition? I would think if he could he would be making some big time moves with the talent in this draft and the abundance of forwards we have. And I hope you continue in your current position with FCKC. You are the best one for the job!
Thanks...the check is in the mail Not sure about any of the staff, that's all in flux. I'm here at least through the draft. Vlatko has always been quiet, Huw was the deal maker (but always with V's blessing). The transition has slowed some things down, but honestly, he thinks this team is only 1-2 players away from another run. Can't say that I disagree
"The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced today that Elam Bear, CEO of North Central Equity, LLC would be taking over operation of FC Kansas City (FCKC)." Is he a relative of Yogi Bear? In all seriousness, I hope that this new owner really invests in promoting the team in KC, and doesn't just neglect things and use it as an excuse to move the team to Minnesota in a couple years. They really need to do some Boston level temporary stands to expand that field's seating to a decent size (assuming it's too late to move and that they'll be staying in Swope again this year) and then do a lot of sales and marketing work to get it filled up.
Finally official. Glad the new ownership will keep them in KC. Do we know anything about the new GM Jean-Yves Viardin? Can't find a ton about him.
Yes I agree our draft was fantastic! I meant to put something on here sooner. I wanted Rose Lavelle but I rated Gibbons as the #2 best player (I tend to like play-maker do everything players) so I was elated to get Gibbons at #5. Payne should at minimum fill the void left by Tiffany McCarty departing. I am really excited about Ribiero too...the impression ive gotten is that Vlatko see her as more of a play-making #10. Not saying she's the next Holiday, but i'm glad to have her try. Schaffer seems to be seen as a Laddish type box-to-box understudy but i'm sure she will be tried as a #10 as well. I admit to not knowing as much about Radisha Beal, but I did go to FCKC preseason match last year vs Minnesota and their defense was tough.
article by Alex Arlitt about her rookie year: https://aarlitt.wixsite.com/mysite/single-post/2017/01/15/My-Rookie-Year-in-a-Nutshell
I've asked this question too, problem is Vlatko is pretty quiet and there has been very little media coverage in KC so to my knowledge that question has not been addressed...publicly any way. Groom did play on the wing her rookie season so I could see her filling in HAO's role, she did relatively well there. As for Arod / Leroux...i'm not sure, I'd imagine one of them will be tried on the wing as well. I'm an Arod fan and I think she could be at least as productive as Tymrak has been on the left...and probably a defensive upgrade. But I also understand that Arod is a polarizing player for whatever reason. I predicted that Leroux, Arod, or HAO wouldn't be on our roster by opening day. My gut says HAO won't return from Arsenal. But between Groom, Arod, and Leroux if they want to play...it seems they will have to work on the winger skills at least how the roster stands now. And if they do well, I would guess they would be more valuable on the full national team as well.
I read this, it is pretty humerus. I like Arlitt a lot, I hope she sticks around in KC but she seems to have some injury issue both with us and Australia. I'd like KC to have some defensive depth for once.
Leroux played on the wing for Seattle, so she has experience there. I know Blaze didn't love having her there, but I thought Leroux was getting better with each game she played there and she had really picked up her defending abilities too.
I don't see O'Reilly coming back. And if she does I could see a move to NC (though that roster is pretty stacked).
She was getting better, and was still a productive piece of the puzzle for that Reign team. And her defending in my opinion was impressive. I watched a few times Leroux tracking back past the 18 to make a defensive play, and then get back up field to join the attack and this was in the 75th+ min. I think it will be fluid up top, with the forwards moving around during the game.
I guess i'm just more partial to Arod, I wasn't overly impressed with Leroux in Seattle mostly because she wasn't very offensively productive. But if you say she was well-rounded then I will trust you. I'm not convinced either Leroux / Arod can get endline like HAO did but perhaps the trade-off will be better finishing... Another question, who will take FCKC's set pieces this season bc it was basically always HAO last year. And i'm not convinced Averbuch is a starter....
I don't necessarily think you need someone that can get endline. But HAO is a master of it and made it work for her... other than Ohai, I can't think of any one else that can even get close to her skillset there. I mean, who did KC have to do it before they had HAO? Mathias? Leroux will be just as good if not better than Mathias at that.