I hear you - but I can't speak for Philly - in fact I don't speak for SBFC anymore either!!! That being said, I am 100% sure Paul Riley has a plan and you need to give it time to happen - he's a really smart guy. Similarly, Jim Gabarra is a smart guy - had a plan and we(formerly) executed it. Anyone who knows the female international game will concur that Therese is one of the best footballers out there. So is Seger - no doubt.
just the link to Sjögran press release : http://www.womensprosoccer.com/Home/ny/news/press_releases/101222-malmo.aspx
The question is, and I didn't see this in the press release, is how many games will Sjögran be playing for Sky Blue and how much of the time will she be in Sweden or elsewhere. Remember that it will only be an 18 game schedule. She is still a very good player from what I have seen, but also note that she is two months older than Shannon Boxx, who a lot of people have been griping about on the USWNT forum as starting to get old. Only Lilly, Milbrett, and Rampone would be older (and Panico if she were to return).
My concerns about Boxx are national team and not club team related. imo, older players can be valuable in club play well beyond their peak as national team players. Club season is longer and provides more rest/regeneration time than the WWC or other tournament.
It's a shame they couldn't have done that more often last year. "Drama" helped get that 2009 Championship.
Casey Nogueira Signs with Sky Blue FC http://www.womensprosoccer.com/Home/ny/news/press_releases/101223-casey-nogueira.aspx
Well, you got my favorite player so count me as someone who will be following and supporting SBFC. Especially since Chicago died. And you've got Tobin and Nikki and HAO, it's going to be quite the Tar Heels group out there. Hoping for a great season!
These are the 16 players that have been signed so far, I think. Have I missed anyone? GK: Bardsley, Branam D: Asante, Taylor, Johnson, Dallstream (?) M: Blank, Heath, Kerr, Long, HAO, Sjörgran, Fletcher (?) F: Aluko, Kalmari, Nogueira Dallstream could play up top, Fletcher could play on the back line, and Taylor can play pretty much everywhere. So with two regular roster slots available, were I Gabarra, I'd definitely be looking for defenders for the last 2 slots. From last year's squad, I prefer Dowling to Schnur as Dowling can play inside or outside. Other defenders still available that I'd take a serious look at are Weber (provided her hip is 100% which is should be by Feb), and Dalmy. And you know, Moros wasn't a bad right back last year.
Kool-Aide - close. Dallstream is signed and would be up top most likely. Fletcher is also signed, and would be in the back. I agree - we need another defender - it is a priority that we are working on. Hope it's done by the end of the year in fact. Several of the players you mention are already signed but not yet announced it is our understanding. Jim has a plan - so far it has been executed pretty well. Considering there are teams out there with single digit numbers of players signed I feel good about where I am leaving the team at. I think we will be much more offensive (scoring that is) this year. It all comes down to execution once the players are in place.
I knew Dallstream &Fletcher were signed -- my ? was for which position but I didn't make that clear. I put Dallstream on the defenders list b/c, well, otherwise there were just 3 I'd think she'd help out quite a bit up front when the WWC players leave. Versatility isn't a bad thing. Fletcher has done well both as a dmid & defender but I just prefer what she brings as a holding mid and Asante & Taylor can hold down the center of defense. But I can see how putting Taylor as left back & Fletcher & Asante in the center would be appealing. Yes, SBFC has pulled together the majority of their roster (the signings us plebeians know about) early-ish and it looks very promising on paper, providing a couple of quality defenders are added. That has to make selling tix and sponsorships much, MUCH easier. Probably. I think she's got a non-soccer gig in the area, too, right? I'm not as high on her as many others seem to be. YMMV, different strokes and all that. She's serviceable enough, I suppose. :shrug:
very proactive. the only thing i worry about is that there just might be a college gem or three that could do the job more cheaply in this belt-tightening period. looks like sbfc might have to pass on those gems (or maybe use trades to good effect). maybe they think that they are in the better position with an almost intact team before any college players are even drafted.
If the thread on the draft is correct, SB earliest picks are #16 and #21, so maybe SB does not expect more than a sub to come out of those picks. PS: gossip in NJ is that Schnur is going elsewhere.
I figured since somone with her last name seemed to be happy that TK was leaving that, she herself was SBFC kept woman. Guess not. Hope she doesn't go to Philly.
Impressive roster. very curious if it's going to work. Is there already some news/speculations about Rampone? (or was she still under contract, I'm not really up to date at the moment...)
If it doesn't work, it will be a coaching issue. Wait, I've heard that before somewhere... (okay, that or injuries)
Rampone's a free agent, and her trainer is now the head coach of Team Borislow. Draw your own conclusions.
YEP..and my understanding she wasn't ever going to go back to SBFC even if her trainer wasn't the freedom coach. Freedom is loading up. I hate that would love to see her at SBFC...
Lots of rumors about the Washington Miami Freedom MagicJack FC. Soccerreigns seems to know something...maybe he/she will share. The rumors I've heard are Rampone, Boxx and Tarpley to WMFMJ FC. Also a few other free agents that are signed to join Lyons - should be very interesting to say the least.
I think it's safe to say we have pretty much already made our biggest signings. Unless there's a few final cards to pull. I'm happy with the set-up, it's definitely something new. I just really hope it works out on the field. Jim's pretty seasoned so hopefully coaching won't be at fault or a problem this year.