Interesting. So technically we can thank the NeSmith's daughter for women's pro soccer coming to the Bay Area in 2009.
So even Buck Shaw Stadium hasn't necessarily been ruled out as the new home of the San Jose Tremors (or San Jose Tremblers, or San Jose whatever else). -G
That's not how I'm reading it. It seems the NeSmith's like the atmosphere the Quakes have fostered and would like to replicate it. But they don't seem to indicate they'd play at Buck Shaw. And as we both know it's not likely they can due to the use-permit issues. That and Buck Shaw is too big. The WPS teams seem to be aiming to use 5,000 seat stadiums almost exclusively across the board. And indeed in the pervious press release the NeSmiths indicated they were aiming for a 5-6,000 seat stadium in the area.
and three players: The three players allocated to Bay Area are: Nicole Barnhart, Rachel Buehler and Leslie Osborne.
Just don't see it happening at Buck Shaw. Not with the use restrictions already in place on it. Plus the fall would be a busy time on the field with SCU Men, SCU Women, the Quakes and the WPS team all on the field. Not sure it would be the best situation for the grass. Plus as had been mentioned earlier the stadium is a tad on the big side for the WPS.
Interesting that Brandi Chastain wants to come out and play as well. No offense to her, especially if the drive is still there, but isn't she getting a tad up there age wise? That said she would be a nice link back to the CyberRays.
age+ Dara Torres: 3 silver medals at the Olympics age+ Brandi" no idea, but willing to find out. I say let her play, If she is not fit, she doesn't play; as simple as that.
Suppose that's true. Worst she can do it try out and not make it. Plus she might even make a good ass't coach if it doesn't work out as a player.
Also like that we got Barnhart. Always like a defensive minded team. It's worked well for the Quakes and should work well for the WPS team.
I think Barnhart might be the 'sleeper' of the draft simply because she's the WNT backup and her ability isn't seen by the masses everyday. I could be wrong but I think she'll do very well for you.
If the WPS team and the San Jose Earthquakes enter into a working relationship together (a pretty big if, though, considering that Earthquakes Soccer, LLC still has a lot on its own plate as a first-year organization) and the Earthquakes enter into the discussions, then I can absolutely see it happening at Buck Shaw. Besides, two WPS teams will be playing in MLS SSS's, so I seriously doubt that a 10.5k capacity stadium (or even an 18k-20k stadium when The Epicenter opens) will be much of a hindrance. -G
Well we used to think that about a 30k stadium at Spartan for the men. After going to games at Buck Shaw I'm convinced it's a big advantage for a team to play in a stadium they can fill rather than one that is half full or less.
If we get Marta I'm not going... a true fan HAS to like the players he/she is rooting for, and I simply don't like her...(not that what I like makes a huge impact for others) I'm just saying.... so, maybe Boxxy can deal with the Brazilians but not me.. ****I think she is a very talented player, I just don't like her attitude.
Who's "we"? The Epicenter still needs to have no less than an 18k-20k capacity. In any case, depending on what kind of working relationship (if any) the WPS team enters in with the Earthquakes, the cost of playing in Buck Shaw Stadium for them (and maybe later in The Ep) could be comparable to what they'd pay in a 5k-6k venue on their own. -G
True 18-20k though is far less than Spartan's 30k. That's alot of empty aluminum. But you're right, the benefits of latching on the the Quakes wagon in terms of promotion and possible rent breaks may be the thing that puts them in Buck Shaw or not. We'll see.
That's what I was alluding to. And she'll be 41 at mid season. Not that she's too old if she can still play, but she hasn't played any top level soccer since 2004 and has had a kid as well in that time.
Kid = irrelevant (although the potential for her child watching her play may make Brandi more motivated to make the team) Age = relevant (however, see Francisco Lima and Pat Onstad)
You'd think having a kid is irrelevant, but it's yet another thing that may have impacted her physical conditioning, not saying it has, but it is a possibility. To say nothing of her motherly responsibilities, the kid is only 4 years old. (And we know her husband isn't always around either since he's the coach of Santa Clara and has a decent travel schedule of his own). Remember she's been spending most of her time as a sportscaster lately.