News: NWSL general news and info

You could be right. But, as I read the rule, I think lawyers wrote it, which is what I would expect. If they did, they wouldn't go with "I just didn't think it was necessary." That's not the way lawyers write rules.

 

here is the allocation list from Equalizersoccer.com. Surprised Tierna Davidson is not on that list.

https://equalizersoccer.com/2019/03...rs-nwsl-list-contracts-womens-world-cup-year/

 

League rules should require each team has at least one US Fed player. The purpose of allocation is to help the teams meet financial limits not to give Ellis another knife to twist.

 

Uh... they effectively used to, and everyone hated that.

 

I missed this yesterday, but the Washington Spirit have finally announced - after being the lone NWSL holdout for years - that they're having a Pride Night this year.

 

Teams have had US Fed players and traded them. Others acquired players who have become US Fed players. It's on the teams if they don't have allocated players.

 

Does anyone know when the teams gave to go down to 25 players? is it by tomorrow, Monday?

 

Does anyone know if there will be any kind of live feed of the Thorns Spring Invitational?

 

Apparently NCC decimated a full-strength Pride lineup in a preseason match today, 4-0. Both teams picking up exactly where they left off, it looks like.

 

I guess no feed.

It was great weather, 3,420 fans in attendance (basically a sell-out for Merlo Field). Thorns scored one early and one late, Red Stars scored one in the middle. Final Thorns 2, Red Stars 1.

The Red Stars goal came on a header by Kayla Sharples off a corner kick. A pretty goal, but someone on the Thorns missed her mark as Sharples was wide open.

Both teams had rough spots and good spots. If I were a Red Stars fan, I'd be a little concerned about my back line, they seemed vulnerable to opposing players getting behind them on through passes.

I thought Ertz had a good game. Also rookie Maria Sanchez, who should be a good one if she can play consistently close to her highest level. Short also had a pretty good game, but her shots are woeful. Kerr played only the first half, and she got enough attention from the Thorns that she couldn't do much.

Here's the Thorns' post game report, with the lineups and subs.

 

Thanks for the review of the game. I'm glad to see that Maria Sanchez did well. She's my favorite underdog draftee -- the daughter of workers at a potato-processing factory in a small town in Idaho.

I was also pleased to see that Zoey Goralski got a look-see. I was surprised she wasn't drafted.

 

Who's going to be playing right back for Houston? That's Ari Romero's position --- but Huerta wants to play there. It looks like in their preseason game they each played a half.

Maybe Huerta gets some time at right back and also some time as attacking midfielder? Or traded?

 

Comeau was supposed to start but got injured in warmups. Romero played there first half, Murray second half. Huerta played attacking mid. Never has played outside back for the Dash, very likely never will.

 

Thanks for posting. Wish I was there. I am happy the Red Stars and Portland organization have a good relationship that Chicago gets invited to this tournament every year.

I am also pulling for Maria Sanchez. She has a wicked cross from her left foot that has a mean curl to it.

Let us know how the other games are that you watch at this tournament, please.

 

Will do. From what I've heard, all of the internationals will be gone for the Wednesday and Saturday games. That being the case, the iternationals got a good deal of time in yesterday's game.

I'll be interested to see the non-internationals play.

 

Thanks for the info on international players. I was wonder when they will leave for camp.

 

Preseason Potpourri

a. My D3 Woso antennae chirped when I saw this on Reign FC twitter about the Reign-Thorns game:

70' Reign FC sub:

IN: Bethany Balcer
OUT: Steph Catley

— Seattle Reign FC (@reignfc) March 31, 2019

At draft time, I look for players who have entered the draft from Non-D1 schools. In January I noted this:

NAIA
Bethany Balcer, 5’9”, Forward-Midfield, Spring Arbor University
From Hudsonville, MI
3x NAIA National Player of the Year
Career: 98 games, 129 G – 45 A, 1.3 goals per game

I wonder how she got on Vlatko’s radar?​

b. Have you seen Abby Erceg’s workout videos on her Instagram? Defender of the Year is jacked! https://www.instagram.com/abbyerceg/

c. My impression is that Skinner is being well received at Orlando, as is Clarkson at Houston. The Sky Blue environment has improved, but I don’t know if Reddy is pushing the soccer up a level or two that it needs. I haven’t seen much out of Washington, so I have no reaction to what Richie Burke is doing.

 

A. Vlatko keeps in close contact with KC area coaches and lives in KC...at least part time. Spring Arbor University played Benedictine College in the NAIA play-offs and i'm sure her name was passed on to Vlatko from the coach of Benedictine College (school is near KC and gets a lot of KC talent). Coach Roblee has been a huge fixture for many years in KC area soccer both club/college. Since Balcer took 13 shots and scored 2 goals in that game, i'd imagine she turned some heads.

 

I as well love seeing stories of kids from lower division schools making it.

 

I would like to post this here as well as on the Red Stars thread.
This is a letter from Red stars owner Arnim Whisler commemorating the 10 years of Red Stars play:

Here's to 10 more and beyond.

http://chicagoredstars.com/10-years-a-letter-from-the-owner/

 

Great, great letter.

Sounds like he feels secure about the future of the NWSL and of the Red Stars. And, that he's determined to have a successful big market NWSL franchise, whatever it takes.

And, sounds like the Breakers will be back.

 

I had read that line more like confident optimism rather than something that's definitely in the works, but I certainly would enjoy their return.

 

.....real quick: Bethany Balcer played for the Seatle Sounders WPSL team this year (May-July) and they won the WPSL championship.

Now back to Mr. Whisler!

 

The only team I can't find a Final Roster news is the Orlando Pride.
Does anyone have that information?

 

Novo out at SBFC
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwDaOuqB59w/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link