http://chicagoredstars.com/chicago-red-stars-acquire-u-s-wnt-midfielder-morgan-brian/ Very surprised! And I'll tell you why. I went to the Season Ticket Holders event yesterday hosted by the Red Stars at Toyota Park. We were allowed to watch the last half hour of practice and then we went upstairs to the TP Club for a nice dinner and Meet and Greet with the players. Everyone was there. The practice was cool. the players had a little half field scrimmage and the fans gave them an ovation when they walked off the field. Upstairs in the Club, Coach Rory Dames had a question and answer session first and folks were asking him questions from team line-up to whether Rae will be Luke Skywalkers daughter while the fans and players ate dinner. The Players all sat, ate their dinner at a L shaped table setup and then signed autographs for the ticket holders. Kristie Mewis was one of them. Dames, Arnim, nor any of the players gave any indication, sign, or language that any kind of trade was being engineered. Then today, BOOM. Wow. I don't know what to say, how to analyze or question as to why the trade was made. I need more information, like who initiated the trade and when. I do have a feeling that Rory and Arnim want to win this year and are playing all their chips to do so. But can Brian help them this year? She's been hurt all year. I'm sure Dani Colaprico loves having her college tandem buddy with her playing again. If anyone has more info on this trade please let us know. This is intriguing for sure.
Just found this on Youtube interview done today. In the interview Rory says he had the talk with kristie last night. When last night, before the season ticket holder meet and greet? He also says that they have been pursuing Morgan Brian for a few weeks now. The "rumors" on the blogs I've been reading tonight is that Brian chose Chicago to be one of the places if traded. Did Rory have to first acquire a solid player and then trade her to Houston? I doubt he was going to trade any of the current starters.
We don't know what the future consideration will be, or what the future conditions are that will have to be met in order for the future consideration to be determined, but as a player-for-player exchange, this looks great for Chicago.
Or, maybe, it's a longer term investment. The Thorns just brought in Savannah Jordan, who will play a little this year, but I'm guessing is more in their thinking as a key player long term. The same could be true of Brian for the Red Stars, even if she spends some time with OL -- although there's been some chatter that her potentially going to OL was a way to put pressure on Houston to trade her. If you think in terms of play on the USWNT, it's logical for her to have Chicago as a preferred destination since she can play with other up and coming USWNT players.
she's been injured for quite a while no? or at least she's not for some while now, seemed to be at full strength. that always makes me worry about the durability of a player going forward (thinking heath here as well, especially because it's a back problem). houston would not likely be trading a world class player to anyone. maybe they know - or at least think - something. (yes, i know she must have gone through a physical. or did chicago just take houston's word for it?)
Apparently Morgan Brian practiced with the team yesterday: Can't wait for Sunday to see how, if she plays. I'm also curious to find out how this trade came about.
The internet chatter was that Brian wanted to leave Houston and threatened to go to Europe next year to play for Olympique Lyonnaise as a way to leverage a trade. She was willing to go to some other NWSL teams, of which Chicago was one. I see that she got engaged in February to Fabrice Gautrat, who is the Director of Coaching for the Atlanta Rush. I also note that she's from the Georgia coast area. I'm guessing -- and a guess is all it is -- that where she's originally from and her engagement had something to do with her wanting to get out of Houston. Also, if I remember correctly, Jill Ellis has expressed a willingness for potential WNT players to play in Europe for one year out of the three preceding a World Cup year, with the understanding they will play in the NWSL for the other two years and also during the World Cup year. Maybe someone knows whether my memory is right on that. If I'm right, this would make Moe's threat to play for OL a realistic one.
Injury report for the Red Stars for this weekend. This must mean that Brian will be available and ready to play. I just wonder if Rory will throw her right in as a starter or ease her in as a sub. I say there is no time to waste, give her the starting job and play her until she gets tired.
http://windycitysoccer.net/Home/Entries/2017/9/3_Red_Stars_Come_from_Behind_to_Sweep_Courage.html https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/20...-1-match-recap-report-nwsl-2017-nagasato-ertz https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/20...ed-stars-2-north-carolina-courage-1-nwsl-2017
Blissett We love Yuki! I was at the CRS game tonight and saw her score her first goal with CRS that tied the game. She then assisted Julie Ertz on the game winning goal! We love Yuki! The tempo and attack really changed when she came into the game! Nice performance and she was likely WOTM.
What a difference in feeling from a few weeks ago. The grit of the Red Stars showed through. Yuki looked great and the short time Morgan Brian was in and the few touches she had she looked good as well. 3 more games to go. All away. Wish we have one more home game because I would love to see this team again with Yuki and Brian playing full game live.
I see the Chicago haters coming out of the woodwork on all the blogs, Now they want Naeher suspended.
I heard that she does not like the nickname, but Julie Ertz is a beast. She grabbed that game by the throat and dictated the action..to her team, to the Courage, and to the Refs - Press ought to hand her the Arm Band.
I told Sofia Huerta last night coming out of the stadium that I was emotionally drained from supporting this team this year. I don't know if I can handle the next few weeks. I'm getting too old for this. After 8 years of being a loyal Season Ticket Holder from the very beginning when I promised Peter Wilt I would be one of the first to buy them, I just want one Championship. That's all.