The Freedom have announced on Facebook "We have big news coming soon! Be sure to stay tuned to our website..." My first thought is the new coach. Not sure what else it could be.
Re: Big news "coming soon" - new coach? I think it might be about player signings. I spoke to someone at the freedom today about renewing my season tickets and i got a hint about which players they are talking about. Stay tune for the announcement tomorrow.....
Re: Big news "coming soon" - new coach? If we're talking about players currently on the roster I wouldn't call that "big news. Though Abby committing to staying put would be worth a "Huzzah!" from me.
Re: Big news "coming soon" - new coach? expansion draft lists are supposedly being made public today, as well.
Re: Big news "coming soon" - new coach? Steve Goff reporting that Wambach's rights have been retained by the Freedom but Whitehill is now a free agent.
Re: Big news "coming soon" - new coach? Press release: Now we can spend a few hours guessing which players will be left unprotected. Wambach, Marshall, and Sauerbrunn are definitely "keepers," while Gilbeau should definitely be made available. I can make a case either way for the rest.
Re: Big news "coming soon" - new coach? Somehow, I see the Freedom playing two games in Rochester against the Flash next year lol. Glad to see Abby stay in DC. I'm guessing maybe she'll come full circle and finish her career in Buffalo/Rochester at some point but was hoping she'd stay put for now
Re: Big news "coming soon" - new coach? I thought if they picked up options on players they were required to protect them?
Re: Big news "coming soon" - new coach? Unprotected Players (alphabetical by team) Jill Gilbeau (Washington Freedom) Beverly Goebel (Washington Freedom) Christie Welsh (Washington Freedom) Protected Players: Kristi Eveland (Washington Freedom) Nikki Marshall (Washington Freedom) Erin McLeod (Washington Freedom) Becky Sauerbrunn (Washington Freedom) Abby Wambach (Washington Freedom) WPS Free Agents: Marisa Abegg Anita Asante Brittany Bock Sonia Bompastor Lisa DeVanna Ashlyn Harris Sarah Huffman Brittany Klein Allie Long Meagan McCray Caitlin Miskel Rebecca Moros Lene Mykjåland Homare Sawa Cat Whitehill http://www.womensprosoccer.com/Home/news/press_releases/101020-protected-list.aspx
Re: Big news "coming soon" - new coach? I think De Vanna being out was one of the things that led to our long losing streak. Definitely want her back. Mykjaland and Sawa both started strong but faded as the year went on. I'd be willing to give either another chance but won't cry bitter tears if they go elsewhere, and we have comparable replacements.
Re: Big news "coming soon" - new coach? Didn't Goff report that the Freedom aren't in a hurry to hire a coach? didn't he say something about after Nov? I'd have to think that move is the first domino to fall -- only once the coach is hired would you be able to sort out a playing style & necessary complementary pieces. eta: Washo talks w/ a blogger about next year. although reading the piece, it is unclear what info Washo provided vs what conclusions/ideas the blogger has. Except re: the coaching search.
Re: Big news "coming soon" - new coach? First, thanks for the link. Second I spoke with Mark regarding all of the areas covered in the post. As you know there are still many peices to fall into place before the rest can i.e. Budget then coach. The list is my opinion based off of our discussion. Mark did reply to the post: "Chris- overall this is a fair and accurate interpretation of our discussion the other day- however I have one slight clarification-we have not yet spoken to Coach April Heinrichts , but at the same time would of course speak with her if she had interest- figured I'd clarify- thank you again for your support of WPS and the Freedom!" I did change their status with regards to Heinrichts. Personally I believe she is the top candidate once budget is known.
Re: Big news "coming soon" - new coach? I think it would be foolish for the Freedom not to re-sign Ashyln Harris this week. McLeod is certainly good but Harris was very solid in net making some of the best saves of the year in my book.
Lene Mykjåland has indicated via Facebook that she won't be playing for the Freedom in 2011, though she left open the possibility of future seasons.
Should be getting more detailed information today in conference call with WPS regarding upcoming 2011 season, player contracts, draft, and budget. Will post asap.
Re: Big news "coming soon" - new coach? When I spoke with Mark Washo he said exactly what you are saying, that hiring a coach is goal #1. Now that they have been confirmed to play in 2011, expect this process to speed up. I would guess within the next 10-14 days they may anounce a hiring. Just a guess.
Mykjå signed a 2-year contract with Røa, notes that coming back could be a possibility and that she knew she wanted to be home for the WWC in Germany.
Super exciting to hear the Freedom are going to be around in '11. Now if we can avoid making a the mistake of hiring Heinrichs, it'll be awesome!
I'm not entirely convinced hiring her would be a massive mistake. I really do think she's adjusted her philosophy and/or beliefs since 2003. The reason I give for that thinking is her time spent working w/ FIFA & a couple of the technical committees for recent tournaments. I would be nice, of course, had she actually coached a real live team since she left the USWNT job to see if her player managment/interactions have improved but that's a different question.
She was at UC-Irvine for 1 fall back in 06, too lazy to fact check? I think she'd be a great TV color person for the WPS. I think she's a strong public speaker and a smart soccer person. But I don't see her as the answer for the Freedom - and there are so many great choices . . .