The official roster: Goalkeepers (2): Nicole Barnhart, Abby Smith (DD) Defenders (7): Rachel Corsie (INTL-SCO), Brooke Elby (DD), Sydney Miramontez, Rebecca Moros, Kelley O’Hara(FED-USA), Becky Sauerbrunn (FED-USA), Alex Arlitt (D45) Midfielders (10): Gunhildur Yrsa Jónsdóttir (INTL-ICE), Maegan Kelly (INTL-CAN), Lo’eau LaBonta, Mandy Laddish, Taylor Lytle, Diana Matheson (FED-CAN), Alexa Newfield, Desiree Scott (FED-CAN), Erika Tymrak, Katrina Gorry(INTL-AUS) Forwards (5): Katie Bowen (INTL-NZ), Brittany Ratcliffe, Katie Stengel (DD), Elise Thorsnes (INTL-NOR), Amy Rodriguez (FED-USA, D45) Federations Players (FED): 5 International Roster Spots Filled (INTL): 5
With an official roster, and a first game just a few days away, it's time for the season thread (with the official name in the title!).
DD means Dispersal Draft, the players that were dispersed from the Breakers don't count against roster limits. D45 means 45 day disabled list, also don't count against roster limit. This post has a key: https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/2018-player-moves.2079710/page-16#post-36430184
hard to argue with that - where are the goals going to come from? Press would be a great addition but what we'd have to give up to get here (O'Hara or Sauerbrunn) just aint worth it.
Question on roster rules: Currently we have 24 players listed. The three former Boston Breaker (DD) players won't ever count towards the 20 limit, so lets call the roster 21. Then we have two players on the 45 day injury reserve (D45) and a "pending" arrival player (PEN) to bring us into compliance at 18 players. But, in a dream world where those two are healthy and nobody else is hurt, what does the club do? Can you displace a player from your roster at will?
We'll see. Thorsnes has been lighting up other leagues, but none of those leagues are as competitive as the NWSL. Can't say yet if she and Gunny will successfully adapt to the US style of play. Bigger question mark for me is can this group of midfielders stand up to the more physical teams in the league. Too many of them are prone to getting easily muscled off the ball. Yes. Players can be waived at any time, unless it's during the roster freeze. 6th is right about where I have Utah. They've gotten better, but so has just about every other team. They might have a good shot at the top 4 if Harvey has corrected the problems that plagued the team during the KC years, most notably awful defending on set pieces and poor late game management.
No RSL game this weekend but the Royals debut. Anybody have any clue as to what to expect in the lineup? I'm guessing we see Sauerbrunn at CB (bold prediction) and O'Hara at outside back (another bold prediction) but outside that I don't know enough of this team or of how Harvey plays to make any kind if guess.
Should we put together per game threads for the Royals? Last year, we decided that the Monarchs (as the "development side") didn't need more than a per season thread, but I think we can do better than that for the Royals.
Royals are the first team, Monarchs are the second. We do game threads for RSL, the men's first team. I'm for it. If they are too thin, then maybe we lump everything together.
Only for fans in the US. International fans can watch on nwslsoccer.com. I have a Chromecast, so I use that to stream go90 on my tv. Or go90.com, if you don't have a Chromecast and don't want to watch on a tiny phone screen. I really hope Ellis doesn't play Sauerbrunn much in these two games. I doubt she's 100%, and Mexico isn't as strong as their male counterparts.
My best guess at the potential starting lineup: Barnhart Moros Corsie Sauerbrunn O'Hara Scott LaBonta Gunny Matheson Laddish Thorsnes Harvey usually played the 433 with Seattle, but with the abundance of midfielders and the lack of forwards, a 4231 seems like the more likely formation. With so little information about their preseason games, it's hard to accurately predict who gets the nod or what the actual formation will be.
Per an article on ksl.com, it looks like Proctor and Isom will be on the practice squad for now. They quote Harvey as saying: "I have no doubt that there will be some point in this season I will call upon them." It was a brutal year for draft picks. Not only does the league have a strict roster cap, but the Breakers dispersal draft made it even more difficult for first-year players to get a realistic chance. As far as I can tell, only 4-5 draft picks made a roster. I'm really pleased to see that the Royals have kept the rookies in their plans. Maybe I'm a bit biased as I'd like to see a local player suit up, but this team seems to lack youth.
Harvey hasn't had the best track record with young players. Her preference is towards players with at least a few years of experience. I guess she wants to let them train and develop without the pressure of having to step up and deliver right away. And the lack of picks on rosters is more than just a lack of space. This class wasn't particularly strong. Outside of the top 3 selections, there really weren't any players capable of challenging for a starting spot right away. Next year looks like an awful class as well, but there's almost surely going to be expansion, so I'd guess that a number of players not signed this year will have opportunities next year.
This makes it sound like they will: https://www.rsl.com/post/2018/02/12...es-innovative-local-streaming-partnership-ksl