Europe is making an impact in women’s soccer. They have some advantages, they are affiliated with their men’s club teams, professional academy systems, and Champions League. We have to follow the path of our men’s teams and get our best players in professional academies and out of college. We cannot have our elite players/prospects in college for 3 or 4 years. For example on the current team, Sofia Smith 2 years, Macario 3 years, Girma 4 years. These are well known elite prospects probably since 16 or earlier. They have to be playing professionally earlier. By the way I still think we are the best until proven we are not.
About 300 million years ago, the Earth didn't have seven continents, but instead one massive supercontinent called Pangaea, which was surrounded by a single ocean called Panthalassa. Around 60 million years ago, North America split off from Eurasia.......and who was the cause of that split making it more difficult to schedule soccer matches...?.... that's right...... VLATKO
It’s the low pay of the only pro women’s league in America/ NWSL, that keeps most of our top players in college till they graduate with an degree. NWSL min./max salary cap currently at $35K till $75K This is way lower than the mens MLS at $600K max, or the womens basketball WNBA at $225K. So I do believe a lot of strong prospects that might of not hit their peak or stride in horn they graduate from college, will give up soccer & find an job in the real world; when you look at the most popular post graduate job line teaching, it will equal the NWSL mean average salary of $54K, plus a heck lot more benefits & security. Other careers like Engineers & Nursing will pay more than NWSL salaries. There’s even no 2nd tier, semi pro leagues below or the once that are like WSPL or UWL are usually 6 week, summer stock leagues for college players. Your right that we should put our best, elite youth players on some kinda pro program, but if they get paid, then their ineligible for college ball & our senior USWNT is very slow in bringing newbies unto the team, as the regulars don’t want to leave(due to the higher pay given)
Those NWSL salaries come with free housing, too, though. Housing is the most significant part of our costs. I would argue that for someone straight out of college, even the minimum with free housing is a nice gig to start out with. Plus they can make extra money with their branding.
good point, but the negatives can outweigh it; remembering once one team’s entire apartment complex went up in flames probably shows their probably not getting quality areas to live in. the gypsy lifestyle isn’t suited for everyone as we’ve seen you can get get traded even during mid season much higher salaries(at least 6 figures) will make it more worth and needed for woso to grow & prosper
I agree salaries need to continue to grow, but athletes get traded in all sports. As for their living arrangments, I cannot speak for all clubs, but San Diego Wave players are living in a very nice, modern complex with pool, palm trees, etc. I suspect the quality of living has been raised throughout the league, or most players would not play for those clubs.