Yeah, although her comments by about still being at the top of her career, I don't think she wants to retire. In the end it's probably move on and retire or spend time overseas away from family/boyfriend. I don't see her having the attachment to Boston like HAO to KC.
Funny tangent time: http://nwslsoccer.com/three-lucky-winners-headed-to-nwsl-championship-in-houston If she wasn't from Fort Worth, this would look like much more than a hilarious coincidence. X-D What a Thorns "fan" you are, Alex M.!
The more the merrier! Put 8 in the playoffs. But it's possible that teams don't really want to have multiple playoff games besides the ones with great attendance and stadiums. For many minor league teams, playoffs are a money loser.
Vice Sports/ Howard Megdal article responds to a recent Bill Simmons/ Abby Wambach podcast in which they discuss a plan to "save women's soccer". The Commish, Jeff Plush, retorts that he didn't think women's soccer didn't need saving. I came across this through Jen Gordon and a tweet of hers - @jgordon1987
Very interesting split! X-D For the record, I think 4/12 (33%) is far too little, while 8/12 (67%) is too much. (I mean, the 12/20 (60%) currently making it in MLS is arguably too much, though I'm cool with it). For my two cents, I think if we stay at 10 team overall, playoffs of 4 teams is workable, but if we get another season where a team like the '15 Reign miss out, that's a problem. I would love to see playoffs of 6 teams for a league of any size between 10 and 14 teams overall - two teams with byes to the semi, two teams still get to host a match, and two at least having a shot at the championship. - - - - - In other news, eight uncapped NWSL players have just been invited to the next USWNT camp: http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/201...mes-24-players-for-usa-matches-vs-switzerland
Wow. Admittedly I never had the highest opinion of Wambach, that seems kinda low for her. Plush made a quick, decisive, and slightly comical rebuttal. That's encouraging in of itself! 8 teams in the playoffs in a 10 team league? That would be a bad choice. 6? Sure, but wait until you have at least 14 teams before going to 8. My thoughts. When they add 2 more to hit 12 teams then change it to 6 in the playoffs. When they add 2 more to get to 14 teams then change the playoffs to 8 and leave it at 8 for awhile.
This is exciting. The only one that doesn't make sense to me is Mathias. But the others all look like good choices. Would've liked to see Betos and Kopmeyer too, but can't have everything! Notable are the NT players not on the list. Speculate away as to why! I think it's a huge mix of reasons. For example: I think Johnston isn't there specifically because Gilliland and Short are. They need their other CB (Sauerbrunn) to test out the newbies without the comfort of their club teammate.
Well both Carli and Becky are team captains so one would hope they would be called up. It'll be interesting to see if Lloyd is left off eventually and Morgan is called into that camp. However, JJ's wedding is apparently soon so may be in part to that. And then I think Carli's is also sometime coming up. Had she called up Kling after her letter about past performance not keeping your spot on the team i would have rolled my eyes. I'm honestly surprised Ashlyn is on the roster. I don't think Jill wants a sweeper keeper and it wouldn't be unexpected to see Campbell quickly get the #1 spot. I see a healthy Abby Smith and her being more of a competition.
Hal Kaiser on Keepernotes, dated October 6, said that Kealia Ohai got her call from Ellis two weeks ago. http://keepernotes.com/ Perhaps I'm taking that too literally, however two weeks ago was before the NWSL semi-finals. I hope she did not make all the contacts before the semis.
I've recommended Jen Cooper's Mixxed Zone podcasts before. I just listened to this week's edition about the Final game (Part 1 of 2) and found it both entertaining and interesting,. They thoughtfully covered the logistics of the game from the fan and media perspective, as well as the overall game experience as an Event, with an eye to 2017. I particularly liked the round table conversation about the playing styles of Jess McDonald and Lynn Williams ; with comparisons to Leroux and Press, among others. https://www.acast.com/mixxedzone/themixxedzone-nwslchampionship2016-partone
Lloyd has all but stated outright that after the Switzerland games, her focus will be on her upcoming wedding, so we can pretty much assume she won't be on the roster for the Romania games.
I see no reason to do anything with Harris at this point. Right now having both a starter and an experienced backup in the fold allows Ellis to bring in different players to earn spots in the GK pool. Handing the co-pilots chair to any other keeper I could think of (with Solo & Barnhart out of the equation) would be a needless rush at best. They have two years to settle in a new backup if that's the plan and I hope they take their time.
Surprised no one has mentioned this yet... broke about 2hrs ago. More than a little depressing. Hearing Kansas City NWSL team is for sale. Interest from potential owner in Minnesota who could move team. No interest yet from Sporting KC.— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) October 14, 2016 Sporting apparently did make an offer on FCKC a year or two ago, but was rejected, sounded similar to non-deal between Red Bull and Sky Blue— Dan Lauletta (@TheDanLauletta) October 14, 2016
A few more details on the initial rumor yesterday, what's changed today, a forthcoming statement from FCKC, and what issues would arise from all this: http://www.thebluetestament.com/2016/10/14/13289212/report-fc-kansas-city-may-be-up-for-sale
Now that the situation has changed, I would be surprised if they were not still interested. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. I am sure Sporting would have the inside track to what the league would like to see happen. Obviously KCFC would have to get league approval on the sale as well.
NWSL is important for KC. heard nothing but good things about ownership transition. Imo, not leaving kc, 2 important for the league.— Robb Heineman (@RobbHeineman) October 15, 2016 Heineman is CEO of Sporting KC
it should be Sporting taking ownership of the team. Minnesota can get an expansion team down the road.
"Step by step"- even when you actually can't take a step.. Things gonna change. I tore my LCL… https://t.co/VTOdSOO0cT— Dr Nadia Nadim (@nadia_nadim) October 15, 2016