1/27/03: Overs: Left and Hang

I'm pulling for the Woodworth kid, though I figure he'll have to go developmental if he's really going to hang on.

Funnier things have happened though.

 

What? Competition in Women's Soccer?

Hm, maybe I'll watch the WWC this fall after all.

 

After the last WWC, China deserves to win this one. Not to say that it was the only controversial WC (1978 Argentina with 6 goals vs Peru, 1966 England with the mysterious goal, 1998 with Ronaldo getting sick, 2002 with the refereeing), but that shoot-out was controversial. I guess all WCs are controversial.

Asian soccer is on the rise but Asian countries have never won a WC, WWC or Olympics. They seem due.

 

Actually, prior to this year, four D-III players have been drafted and all four made their team and signed contracts. Now I don't know what kind of contracts they signed. Lance Key (Trinity College) was drafted and signed by the Rapids in 2000 and started 34 games throughout 2000 and 2001. Jeff Moore (Richard Stockton College) was drafted and signed by Metrostars last year and started 17 games. Of course, the roster limits, and number of devlopmental spots, etc. have changed from year to year, and the talent level in the league is rising, so the challenge that this year's D-III draftees, Hayden Woodworth and Alex Blake, face is somewhat different from their predecessors. Perhaps easier due to more developmental spots; perhaps more difficult due to the rising talent level.

 

Pretty sure Jeff Moore was on a developmental contract. Does Woodworth live close enough to DC to make it possible for him to commute to train and play with the team without being able to afford to live there on his MLS money?

 

Not really. He's from Philly and Messiah is a good 2-2.5 hours to DC.

But I could see him sticking somehow if he's willing to take the developmental slot the way Ray raves over him.

 

He's from Boothwyn, PA which is halfway between Wilmington, Delaware and Philly. So that's in the neighborhood of a 2 hour commute as would be Messiah.

The Messiah College soccer family is very strong and loyal. So between them and the greater Messiah College network and Hayden's own contacts (relatives, friends, church) I'd find it hard to believe that some ultra-cheap living arrangemnt couldn't be made availbale to Hayden if he and his family can't otherwise afford him living near DC on a developmental contract. I don't know Hayden personally or have any inside information (I'm just a Messiah alum and huge fan), so this is just my guess, but I don't think housing/living expenses will be a problem that keeps him from signing a developemental contract.

 

No traffic 2 hours. With traffic, who knows.

 

If he can get a ride down to Hanover, I can get him a ride on game days for my 9-game plan. I'll be going down for the tailgate anyway.

 

I'll definitely be cheering for this kid to make a roster somewhere. It's fun going for the underdog.


-VON