It is very very clearly the ownership (Not that they have done anything wrong). If it was affiliated with the sounders it would have a much better attendance. Seattle is one of the cities that should have had an common ownership with the NWSL from the start. It has great MLS attendance like Portland and Orlando and it could have shown in the NWSL team as well. The question is moot right now. Not all MLS teams have great attendance themselves and so most don't want to own a NWSL team as it will not be profitable.
Orlando may set a trend for MLS teams wanting an NWSL expansion team. Many of the newer teams, or ones building the new stadiums, are including in their proposals, that they would be looking to add a professional women's team. So if Orlando is successful, and can do it in a big way, there may be plenty of MLS candidates when it comes time to expand again. San Jose, I believe when they presented their proposal, mentioned that to utilize the facility as much as possible with other events, one use would be to have a women's professional team.
It might be better to say that MLS teams that are unprofitable wouldn't want to own an NWSL team that, given the MLS team's unprofitability, might also be unprofitable. But I'm betting Houston's NWSL team has netted a profit, Portland's certainly has netted a big profit (hence its revenue sharing), and Orlando thinks its NWSL team will net a profit.
The Dash lost half a million in their first year, I have a really hard time seeing that change to being a profit even with the increased attendance this past year.
Potentially. Unless they release itemized expenses, we'll never know. But I kinda doubt startup fees are a large amount - I would be shocked if the startup costs were even half that. We know their stadium isn't cheap, and their attendance in 2014 wasn't that much better than that of the best independent teams. =edit= The more I think about, the more I think that half million was said to be operating costs anyway. So no startup costs included in that. I need to go find that source....
And unless we see itemized expenses, we won't know how much of that is AEG charging themselves to play in BBVA Compass stadium.
And we see O'Reilly unprotected as part of the "gentleman's agreement" for Hagen. Any other surprises? Someone had asked about allocation status last week and we were told it would be clarified with these lists... so as of now, no changes other than the players who have retired no longer represented, right?
Anyone think that Orlando might try picking Kreiger and McLeod/Barney/D'Angelo to trade the latter (and maybe someone else) for Harris?
Why wouldn't Orlando just pick Harris? Edit: Ok, I see what you are saying. But they would have to work that out in advance, or it is too much of a risk.
Maybe. If Harris is picked in the draft, I could still potentially see Kreiger being fine staying in DC, so getting a trade for Kreiger migh be tough. However, if Kreiger is already in Harris' hometown, that's extra incentive for Harris wanting to be traded, making the deal (potentially) much easier to make. Either way, if either trade was going to happen, (I'm still not convinced Harris and Kreiger will be on the same team in 2016,) it would depend on Orlando picking up someone Gabarra would want.
It's difficult to determine from that list who is truly available as many players may refuse to play elsewhere. Some interesting names for sure.. Didn't realize WNY had the rights to Tatiana Coleman. As she is a UCF grad, could be good for Orlando if they can convince her to come back to Orlando from FCF Juvisy (where she has 6 goals in 6 games so far this season).
McLeod's status is a bit too up in the air to grab her. If she was definitely staying, its a smart move but we may not even see her in any NWSL jersey in 2016.
Extrapolating that idea, are there other unprotected players they might deal for someone that is protected? Given that Orlando already has two forwards, maybe an unprotected forward that could be dealt to another team that has a lot of defense/midfield?
I was planning to wander through the list of unprotecteds and look for Florida ties, since that was mentioned by the team during the intial press conference.
Now that all these trades have taken place and the official list is out and knowing who Orlando is going to take... I don't see much good options left for them to pick. FCKC is the only one with any real talent available that Orlando needs that's not going to have baggage (like Portland's available list) and they might have a back-room deal in place not to take any of it...
Seems like they're hoping offensive power (and marketability) will outweigh a lacking defense. Unless they are able to pull some new International signing
So here's a rundown of the basic way the Lions were built, and we have the same architect (McDonough). 1. Solid veteran keeper - Ashlyn Harris - check 2. One star player to build around - Alex Morgan - check 3. A couple of other veterans to keep things grounded - Kyle, Hagen - check 4. At least one defensive stalwart in the middle - ? 5. A couple of unknown talents from other countries - ? 6. A couple of reserve salty veterans 7. A bunch of young players with potential The internationals seem to be limited with apparently only two slots available at the moment. But do Mexico players count as international? Any other loopholes there? A defensive veteran available in the expansion draft?
So here's my list: Amanda Frisbie Jasmyne Spencer Jonelle Filigno Clare Polkinghorne Jen Buczkowski Katrina Gorry Lauren Sesselmann Toni Pressley Adriana Leon Bianca Sierra With how crazy the rules are and all the recent moves, and speculation, my list might have an ineligible player on it.
I see that list and all I think is ... baggage ... too much baggage. Amanda Frisbie - Still and unproven player. Barely saw Jasmyne Spencer - OK but why waste a pick on a forward when you got two already Jonelle Filigno - Canadian will be gone for Olympics Clare Polkinghorne - Might miss even more matches that US and Canadian players Jen Buczkowski - One step from retirement Katrina Gorry - See comment about Australians Lauren Sesselmann - See comment about Canadians Toni Pressley - Whatever Adriana Leon - See Canadians Bianca Sierra - OK I guess
Here's mine. Keep in mind that I know nothing about these players background in college or if they have 6 degrees of separation from Florida. Lauren Lazo - Really good young defender Hemmings, Quon - I would have gone after Lomnicki but with her husband being close to the Chicago organization, she might not want to move. Also, I think she will be protected after Hemmings is chosen. Jen LaPonte - Good young defender. Don't posion your team by choosing either Pressley or McCarthy. They really should go after Axon but I think they won't because she's an international and they might want to spare poor Houston. Silva, Keane - Like everyone, I think either FCKC and Orlando have a gentlewoman's agreement (it's a female league so .. ) or there's just too much baggage that everyone on KC comes with. Sanderson - She's should be excited I guess. They should also pick Shim but I think she will be protected after Sanderson is chosen. Lytle, Filigno - I'm still not sure if they take Bledsoe or Keane. Nick and someone else Advise to Orlando, stay away from the Australians, they won't be around a lot. Wait until 2017