From some USAToday news I saw: SOCCER California Storm (WPSL) - Signed defender Brandi Chastain, midfielder Sissi and midfielder-defender Keri Sanchez to one-year contract.
*puts on Thomas Flanningan's Conspiracy Theorist hat* It'll be interesting to see if this leads to more "big names" signing with WPSL/W-Leauge teams in the next couple of weeks. With B-Chaz being a "big name", I wonder if this means that the possibility of WUSA2 happening is getting bleaker (is that even a word?)? Or it's just as simple as these players just wanting a way of staying in soccer shape throughout the spring/summer.
This tells me that either (a) the WPSL has gotten a stash of cash somewhere; (b) the WPSL is not going to take a single NCAA-eligible amateur athlete; and (c) the WPSL may apply for a higher divisional status within the USSF. I don't know where they are, but getting Brandi, Keri, and Sissi means something to me. Next up: Mia Hamm and Abby for the Maryland Pepsi Pride?
Wouldn't Mrs. Nomah play for the Boston Renegades instead? Or if the NEW rumors are true (supposedly the A-Rod/ManRam/Nomah talks are still alive even though folks are denying it), Mia could sign with the Chicago Cobras.
Hey Nomee's coming to the Dodgers not Chi town (wishful thinking). So it says their season is February - August. Wonder how this works with Nat residency which is supposed to be during that time isn't it?
WPSL vs. W-League Could someone please fill me in on what the difference is between the W-league and the WPSL? At first glance the WPSL appears to be have been started up in 1998 as a USSF-backed competitor to the W-league... Why would a player choose to play in one league over another? Thanks in advance for any info you might have!
Location, primarily. You play near where you live, if at all possible. You don't get paid so you need to be close to where you live.
It's a long story but, briefly... The WPSL is what was once the Western Division of the W-League. They withdrew from the W-League and started their own league. The WPSL is sanctioned by the Amateur Division of the USSF, while the W-League is sanctioned by the Professional Division, although the W-League is not professional. That has nothing whatsoever to do with college eligibility. The NCAA, which is separate and distinct from the USSF, designates the WPSL as "amateur", and the W-League as "open", a technical distinction that doesn't make a lot of difference since there don't seem to be a lot of players in the W-League who get paid anyway. Or (d) players who go to the WPSL won't be paid. Option (d) is really the only practical option. Both the WPSL and the W-League absolutely depend on college eligible players. College eligibility is determined by the NCAA; the USSF doesn't have word one to say about it. If the WPSL wants to pay players (and I see no indication that they do) and still have college-eligible players, then they need to take that up with the NCAA.
It's (d), for these three -- according to Wendy Hill, the Storm's General Manager. Announcement was in today's San Jose Mercury News, written by Dylan Hernandez. http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/7778229.htm --Socceroo
Which must be why Chastain was charging little girls $10.00 for her autograph when she appeared at a sporting goods store in Palo Alto recently. Or, they could purchase a ball and receive her autograph. Pretty full of herself!
Brandi makes paid appearances. Always has. This is nothing new. The sports collectables store is who came up with the $10-per-autograph charge, likely to cover Brandi's appearance fee and make some $ for themselves as well.
And that's different than any other professional athlete exactly how? Don't hate the player, hate the culture that makes it so. You know Brandi's still giving autographs for free if you just bump into her someplace.
You're right, it's no different. However, the 'founders' love to pitch themselves as BEING different because they are more accessible for autographs, etc. Slight contradiction here.
No, it's not a contradiction at all. I don't think Brandi's going to refuse anyone an autograph on the street or after a game because she's now made this appearance.
I have no clue what B-Chaz does with her appearance money nor do I really care, but would some of you anti-BChaz/anti-Founders soccer purist chodes think differently if she publicly came out and said that all her appearance $$$ went to her mom's/dad's fave charity?
Give it a rest, people. I've seen Brandi sign endless autographs at non-Cyberrays/WNT events and Santa Clara matches, both home and road games. The only courtesy she asks is that kids wait till halftime or post-game, but she'll stand there signing till her hand falls off so everyone can go home happy. Unlike some NTers I can think of, Ms. Chastain has absolutely nothing to apologize for in the fan interaction department.
If it were publicized as being for charity, of course it's no problem. Am under the impression that's not the case here. Having had the pleasure of interacting with Brandi a couple of times I know she's a class act with fans. Heck, she even appreciated the Crusaders abuse of her at RFK because she understood that it meant we gave a damn about our team and the league - probably the only player to understand that (founder anyway). But, if she is personally profiting off of $10 autographs it means the pedastal gets lowered a notch from where the founders like it to be, that's all.
Like I said, she's not personally profiting $10 for each autograph she signs--the store is. I'm sure she has a fixed appearance fee, and I frankly wouldn't be surprised if it was for charity. We're talking about a woman who played in the WUSA FOR FREE--it's a well known secret that Brandi never drew her salary. Give it up, haters. How many of you do anything as a professional for free? If she is taking the money herself, are you going to begrudge her making a living by making appearances????
From the 2/13 Sacramento Bee: The drive is there, so a commute is no biggie WUSA and national team veterans come to Folsom to begin the California Storm season. By Debbie Arrington -- Bee Staff Writer
Brandi was the best of breed, from a really good group of athletes. Likeable, good looking, played with physical prowess, and always ready for the fans. My girls' soccer team in 1999 were the ball kids for the USWNT. Brandi gave them all flowers and a hug after the game, before leaving the field. Sweet. It was my chance to play "dirty old man," but I stayed back. Too bad that era is over.