Who do you guys think the Power will/should pick in Sunday's draft? As you probably know, we pick #2 & #9. My picks: #2 - Christrie Welsh - Collected 82 goals, 52 assists, 216 points and 27 game-winning goals in four collegiate seasons. The first player in women's soccer history to earn NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches Association of America) All-America honors for four consecutive years, she has 20 international appearances and 12 goals for the U.S. team. #9 - Breanna Boyd - Star defender at the University of Nebraska. A two-year starter for the Canadian National Team, Boyd is also a member of the Canadian Under-20 National Team. First-Team All-Big 12 Conference (2000, 2001); NSCAA First-Team All-Central Region (2000, 2001); Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 23, 2000); Canadian National Team Member (2000, 2001); Canadian Under-21 National Team Member (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001).
Why wouldn't the Power just sign Boyd as a discovery player, like the Spirit is reportedly doing with Latham? That way the number 9 spot would be open to use on someone else. She'll occupy an international spot in either scenario. I do think she'd be a great addition to the Power defense.
Each team is only allowed two Discovery Players each year. The Power will probably have three international spots open next year, meaning they would have to to draft one, or pick one up off waivers. The Power are also interested in two other players, a defender and midfielder, as their discovery players for 2003.
If NY really want Boyd, I think she'll be signed as a discovery player, or maybe as a free agent. Just like that scenario with Ormen-Rapp, or vice-versa. # 9 should be used for Hope Solo. If Solo isn't available, take Misaki.
What if other teams also want to pick up Boyd as a discovery player? Who or what process decides the outcome? And would using a draft pick override the discovery process?
Be sure to follow the 2003 WUSA Draft Live on WUSA.com at 11:00 am ET on Sunday, February 2. Tune in to the Live Draft Audio Show, follow team selections real-time on wusa.com and get the inside scoop on all draft-day transactions. Email in your draft-related questions to wusadraft@rmg3.com. If your question is answered during the live draft audio show, you'll receive an autographed WUSA mini-ball. For those who cant make it, I'll be doing a play-by-play type thing announcing who we get, and who is picked by the other teams, all pending on if i wake up sunday morning .
This issue was discussed in the Charge forum several months ago. IIRC, teams can sign discoveries from a pool of international talent. If an international is unsigned, she becomes eligible for the draft. Much like the draft order, NY get first dibs into the international talent pool. Last year, CAR cleaned up with Slaton in the draft, & with Prinz in the internationals. This year, NY are in position to draft Welsh, and are rumored to have already signed Salisbury. I think NY's horrible defense prompted Sermanni to sign Salisbury instead of the more talented Canadian Latham.
Not trying to be difficult, but doesn’t SD go first in this year’s draft…then NY. If the foreign order is the same as the draft then NY may not have had a chance at Latham. I would be concerned about Salisbury on the back line. Canada played a double header against Australia this past fall. Canada won the first game 2-0. To be generous, I’ll just say Salisbury was having great difficulty defending against 16-year-old Kara Lang. Perhaps NY intends to play her elsewhere (not D). As for Boyd, I’m sure Cahundo would disagree but in my opinion NY would be very lucky to get her.
i would have to second BB99's on salisbury in D...while she's a tall, physical presence, i don't think she has the speed and the one-on-one ablities to shut down a quicker, faster player. she was rountinely getting beat by kara lang during the aus-canada game.
NY had the 1st pick in the amateur draft, but traded that pick for SD's # 2. I don't think the pecking order in the international allocations changed. CAR last year picked the best available international in Prinz. Time will tell if NY picked the best available international in Salisbury. Salisbury probably fills a need, but Latham is more talented. NY would be very lucky to get Boyd. I'm not sure how many int'l slots NY have at this point. Could be all four from last year are gone - Mustonen certainly is. Very few teams have the luxury of available int'l slots, & fewer still will use it on a defender. So I think Boyd is NY's to lose. I say sign Boyd as another discovery player so that NY can use # 9 for another player.
I’m still pretty much in the dark on the Discovery rules/process….would really like to see some documented rules. A recent article sheds some light on the subject…looks like SD slipped through a loophole with Latham and the loophole was subsequently closed for other known talents like Boyd. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam030130/soc_lat-cp.html In keeping with that article, it would make sense that Boyd’s name is on the WUSA draft list and Latham’s isn’t. Looks to me like Boyd will be picked up in the regular draft. By whom and which pick is anyone’s guess. http://63.111.22.229/documents/WUSA_DRAFT_POOL.pdf
BigPowerFan I think you would have been 2 for 2 in the first round if Carolina hadn't beat NY to Boyd... can't be too worried though... saw Orlandos play in the College... good stuff.
Orlandos is a steal for NY. Boyd apparently caught CAR's eye. Either way, NY would have drafted a good defender. At the end of the season, I think BOS & PHL will regret not taking Orlandos when they had the chance to. With Orlandos is the middle, 60+ goals will probably be a distant memory.