Veronica Perez named to Mexico WNT for tournament in China in February. Google translate from http://www.femexfut.org.mx/portalv2/aspx/WEB_DetalleNoticia.aspx?pnIDNtca=41962 The Women's National Team will participate in the Women's International Tournament Yongchuan 2014, which will be held from 11 to 15 February in China. In this event, Mexico will hold three games, the first against North Korea on 11 February. Subsequently on 13 face China and finally will measure forces against New Zealand on February 15. The squad led by Leonardo Cuellar will for this activity in 2014 World Cup qualifying to the World Cup Canada 2015 and the Central American Games in Veracruz is why we have sought to give national selected the best training and international exposure. The Yongchuan Women's Tournament for Women Team represents the opportunity to open the year with success and the players start in fighting to keep a place in the Tricolor box. No.-Nombre-Posición 1-Cecilia Santiago-Portera 2-Anjuli Mariana Ladrón de Guevara-Portera 3-Arianna Jeanette Romero -Defensa 4-Monica Alvarado -Defensa 5-Alina l Garciamendez -Defensa 6-Paulina Solís -Defensa 7-Bianca Sierra -Defensa 8-Anisa Raquel Guajardo -Defensa 9-Liliana Mercado -Media 10-Nayeli Rangel -Media 11-Teresa Noyola -Media 12-Sandra Stephany Mayor -Media 13-Karla Nieto -Media 14-Verónica Pérez -Media 15-Nancy Antonio -Media 16-Jazmín Aguas -Media 17-Renae Cuellar -Delantera 18-Mónica Ocampo -Delantera 19-Jazmín Ponce -Delantera 20-Jackie Lynn Acevedo-Delantera CJ
Given that WNY now appears to have 17 of 20 slots full, I wonder about the draft picks. Each player’s senior year status, as far as I could figure out is below. Only Kelsey Wys appears to be available for the March 10 start of camp. In addition, she is the second goalkeeper. I conclude that she is expected to make the team and be there for the whole season. (18 of 20). Cloee Colohan is the next player I think has a spot and should be available, if not on March 10, then fairly soon after. She was featured on the WNY web site after the draft and her twitter appeared to be the most responsive to her being picked. Having seen her play via online stream – I believe she will make the team. (19 of 20). I think Courney Verloo is “in the wind.” That is just a feeling I have. So 20 of 20 would come down to Steinlage or Hamilton or their 4th International slot; assuming a diamond does not show up at tryouts. Assuming WNY would not have traded for the international slot unless they had a player to fill it, then that player is #20. Otherwise, my guess is Steinlage for size and defense, but Hamilton may be that fireworks kind of player that would be a great weapon off the bench. It appears that if they choose to finish school, they may not be available until after the season starts. Courtney Verloo – 5th year senior. Stanford. Major Human Biology. Academic calendar is by Quarters. Winter quarter exams end: March 21. Spring quarter: June 11. Given she’s a fifth year senior, I would expect she will be done with her undergraduate degree March 21. Was in U23 camp in December, is not on travel team to Six Nations Tournament 2/24/-3/6/14. Cloee Colohan – Senior. BYU. Major Business. Winter semester exams end 4/23/14. She redshirted one year at Portland, and then did 2 more years there and 2 at BYU. She could be done with school or only have a light course load right now, or? Was not on U23 team in December. Kelsey Wys – Senior. FSU. Earned here B.S. in Child and Family Studies in 2013. Was in U23 camp in December, is not on travel team to Six Nations Tournament 2/24/-3/6/14. It appears that there is no reason she will not be in Flash camp on March 10. Annie Steinlage – Senior. Virginia. Major Psychology. Spring semester exams end 5/9/14. Was not on U23 team in December. Kristen Hamilton – Senior. Denver. Major Finance. Academic calendar is by Quarters. Winter quarter exams end: March 13. Spring quarter: May 30. Was not on U23 team in December. -CJ
CJ, I have seen all these players on the field (in real life, not on tv), with the exception of Steinlage. If I had my choice, the one I would want is Hamilton. I think she is the "sleeper" of the entire draft. So, I hope WNY bypasses her, creating the possibility she might end up in Portland. Verloo is good, but when she and Kendall Johnson graduated, Kendall was the Oregon player of the year. Kendall is a top notch player, and Courtney has some things she does very, very well, but I don't think she's a "game changer." Hamilton might be (think Tymrak).
OK...Im giving them 18 spot cause I cant see them trading a 2nd round pick for something that isnt certain. That leaves two open slots. Wys...Either Wys makes or they bring in a vet. Val Henderson was a possibility last year...regardless slot 19 goes to a GK unless the mystery discover player is one. Verloo - I think Verloo is cant miss - she is versatile, excellent on set pieces and reminds me of Brittany Taylor so she is 20. That assumes she starts in March. Are u sure Verloo hasnt graduated already? Colohan - I cant see both Colohan and Barczuk making the team. With a small roster it's hard to have two back-ups who do the same thing. I guess the edge here goes to Colohan unless Barczuk upped her game on loan. Steinlege - It might be a numbers game here. If they already get cover on the back line from a lot of other places. Hamilton - I think Hamilton presses for a spot. The place they need the most cover is with the attackers. It may come down to her and DiMartino for a spot.
I know absolutely nothing about Courtney Verloo... I see DiMartino has posted on Twitter that she has a First Grade teaching job in September. She may be done with pro soccer. I see Hamilton was an academic all-american - maybe she'll be in camp on March 10, ready to impress.
FCKC could use another outside back, and I think Verloo could play there for them. If I were WNY, I would offer Verloo to FCKC for their 1st round pick in the 2016 draft. That'll be right around the time when Wambach will be retiring (2016 NWSL season will probably be her last). WNY would then have two first round picks in 2016, and those players could learn under Abby in her last year. Or, WNY could offer Verloo, Kristen Hamilton, and a 2015 2nd round pick to FCKC, for the rights to Sarah Hagen. Hagen would then be the heir-apparent to Wambach for WNY. Although, after Wambach retires, I would love to see Horan come back and play for WNY. She would take over right where Abby left off. And one more idea WNY could explore is trying to lure Kelley O'Hara away from Sky Blue. Offering Verloo, Colohan, and a 1st round pick in 2015, could enable them the opportunity to acquire O'Hara along with receiving Sky Blue's 2nd round pick. WNY's defense would then include: O'Hara, Huffman, Taylor, Johnson, Reynolds, and Steinlage. Sahlen would also return in 2015, and Huffman can always move back to the midfield if need be. This would arguably become the best defense in the league, if WNY acquires O'Hara.
I know Henderson was listed in the expansion draft since they had her rights, but I haven't heard anything that makes me think she's in WNY's plans. This one's going to Wys. If she makes the squad, it'll be as a defender. WNY has IMO the best forward depth in the league with Abby, Kerr, Adriana, and now Kete, so finding time on the pitch might be harder in that position. I did get to see Barczuk play as a CB in the second leg of Zorky's CL tie against the vile scum that knocked them out. Granted the scum were pretty much in control for most of the match, but she did well overall. The professional experience may give Barczuk an edge. Colohan is great on free kicks, but WNY already has Taylor and Lloyd for that duty, and Perez in case one of the other two is unavailable. The Edmonds signing just reduced her chances of making the squad. Decent player, but Lines will probably go for experience here. Whichever one gets a spot, chances are they won't see the field all that much until the NT players are on international duty.
One of the new rules that popped this year is u can no longer trade the rights to unsigned discovery players.
Slot 18 goes to Vicky Losada, Barcelona and Spanish National Team. http://www.wnyflash.com/?template=template&form_id=5857&page=news.cfm Two slots left, and maybe 3 if Vicki DiMartino decides skip pro soccer and prep for her job as a first grade teacher. -CJ
It's starting to look bleak for DiMartino and Barczuk this year. And there may only be like two spots at most available for the 5 rookies when it's all said and done. It should be a very competitive camp for the youngsters. They will have to beat each other off with a stick. That's what it's gonna have to take to land a spot on the Flash roster as a rookie. If a player like Steinlage makes the roster somehow, she needs to go to Alex Sahlen and thank her for her pregnancy. Because if it weren't for that, Steinlage pretty much has no chance right now to make that roster.
I was very impressed with Vicky Losada after watching this one game from from wc qualifyers. She's #14
Nice video, thanks! I got a ticket for the WVU pre-season game which has now been announced as "sold out." I haven't been to Sahlen's Sports Park, so I'm looking forward to it. -CJ
Scott Vallow is leaving the Flash to coach the Rhinos: http://www.democratandchronicle.com...sh-back-to-rhinos-as-assistant-coach/6164033/
I hope he will be able to continue to run "clinics" for Franch and Wys. This may be a bigger loss for the Flash than some may think.
Per Devo - Zerboni and Vallow are an item, which is why he moved to the Rhinos. http://www.democratandchronicle.com...sh-back-to-rhinos-as-assistant-coach/6164033/ "I left the Flash for a few reasons," Vallow told me via text, "the main being that I wanted to pursue a personal relationship with McCall (Zerboni)."
I guess not everyone with the Flash can separate personal and professional relationships. That's not a knock on anyone, merely an observation. I just hope Vallow leaving doesn't hurt the team.
DiMartino will not return for this season: http://wnyflash.com/?template=template&form_id=5863&page=news.cfm
Huffman's twitter seems to indicate she is still in Portland. Given the Algarve situation, she may wait and travel with Abby. Johnson, I don't know, I hope she's back. From the instagrams posted by the Flash, it looked like there were 11 players there today.
Preseason Roster Name – Pos – Last Club Torri Allen – D – University of Georgia* Amy Barczuk – D – WNY Flash Kristen Edmonds – D – FC Rossiyanka Adrianna Franch – GK – WNY Flash Kristen Hamilton – F – University of Denver^ Sarah Huffman – M – WNY Flash Selenia Iacchelli – M – Edmonton Victoria SC Estelle Johnson – D – WNY Flash Samantha Kerr – F – WNY Flash Emma Kete – F – Sydney FC Ally Lee – D – University of Jacksonville* Carli Lloyd – M – WNY Flash Vicky Losada – M – FC Barcelona Adriana Martin – F – WNY Flash Kristen Meier – M – Seattle Reign* Haley Palmer – D – San Diego State University* Casey Ramirez – D – Portland Thorns FC* Katherine Reynolds – D – WNY Flash Yoreli Rincon – M – Malmo FF* Jordon Roseboro – M – Bay Area Breeze* Angela Salem – M – WNY Flash Brianna Smith – F – Canisius College* Jasmyne Spencer – F – Washington Spirit* Annie Steinlage – D – University of Virginia^ Brittany Taylor – D – WNY Flash Courtney Verloo – F – Stanford University^ Abby Wambach – F – WNY Flash Kelsey Wys – GK – Florida State University^ McCall Zerboni – M – WNY Flash *Preseason Training Camp Invitee ^2014 NWSL Draft Pick
Sarah Huffman & Estelle Johnson still under contract w/Flash, but coach Aaran Lines tells me he's not expecting them to report. Unclear why.— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) March 18, 2014
Assuming Sarah Huffman and Estelle Johnson will not be on the team this year (not a done deal yet, as far as I know), the starting roster has some interesting challenges. I predict that there will be no way to to keep Kristen Edmonds off the field; she is listed at D, so she becomes one of the outside backs. It appears she played left wing for Rossiyanka in their two CL games vs. Wolfsburg last year; if she is comfortable on the left, the left back spot will be hers. Right back will probably be Amy Barczuk to start. My prediction for starting lineup is: Wambach Kerr Lloyd Adriana Salem Zerboni Edmonds Reynolds Taylor Barczuk Wys Caged tigers on the bench: Vicky Losada, Jasmyne Spencer, Emma Kete, Yoreli Rincon, and Courtney Verloo (if she ever reports). To me the Flash mids and forwards need to flow into each others positions as the game dictates, much more than they did last year. They played positions like they were tied to posts last year. -CJ
It'll be nice having a proper left back. No offense to Huffy, who did a decent job filling in after Sahlen was injured, but since Johnson isn't back, I'd prefer to have true defenders on the backline. Haley Palmer may also be an option off the bench. I'd rather have Reynolds at right back, and have Taylor and Barczuk in the middle. Barczuk was at CB during her time with Zorky, and I don't think she has the speed to play outside back. Reynolds does. The rest of the lineup is spot on, though. I'm not holding out hope for Verloo, but those are some really nice options to have on the bench. Even when Abby, Lloyd, Kerr, and Vicki are away, they could still have a potent attack. Plug in Rincon for Lloyd, Spencer for Kerr, and Kete for Abby. Maybe a slight drop in quality, but still good.