I was hoping for a discussion on the KC roster. Somehow I missed the Ajakaye acquisition. I don’t know much about her, would love more info. As for the roster, here’s who I would resign. Schult and Prince for sure and Hamilton,Ball,Franch at a discount if possible due to team continuity, but could move on from the rest. For team needs I’d agree a back-up for Bia is needed but I feel like that could be Hamilton is given the chance. I’d also like another option at the 6 / 8 midfield positions. Deb and Dibernardo are great attacking mids but when Labonta had to sub out in the semis we were missing quality there. Fiest is solid but not quite ready for that role. Age is factor at this position other than Hutton. I felt like our midfield was pretty thin to deal with any injuries and age makes me think rotation and rest should be a priority next season. I’d like our goalkeeper core to get younger as well. Especially if we keep Schult and Franch. Hoping to sign Leah Freeman from Duke as she seems to be an exciting young prospect, especially with the Silky trade. Much was also made when Caitlin Carducci (sp) was named our permanent GM. Comments about her fixing the salary cap and problem solving also had me intrigued. Do you think she could help us make a HUGE signing…like Lily Yohannes, Tabitha Chawinga, or Kerolin? I just felt like there were subtle hints being dropped in that coverage. There isn’t much left on the NWSL free agent list aside from Kerolin that excites me, mostly depth pieces. Possibly Denielle Coloprico from San Diego would fit as a veteran midfield workhorse who is close with Dibernardo. Or defender Tatumn Millazzo from Chicago who i’ve been very impressed with in the past but she didn’t seem to catch on with the new coach this year there. She is close with Sharples. Anything else you’ve heard, or anyone i’m forgetting?
I’m still on here occasionally, but my post and interests are so Current focused I hated to put it on a league thread it’s okay I wasn’t expecting much traction any way.
https://www.kansascitycurrent.com/news/kansas-city-current-signs-trio-of-collegiate-stars Wow! The Current are adding some great young players. If you watched the U17 WC last Fall you'd know about Mary Long, attacker and Katie Scott, defender. Both got considerable time in the tournament and, to me, surprisingly were also already in college. Anyway, really appreciating the subtle changes going on in US women's soccer that helps attract the best young talent to find their way up the ladder to the top professional clubs at a very young age. I mean for Long to have already been identified as a local prospect a couple years ago and was being trained by KC. And KC doing a great job being prepared to reap some talent the first season with no college draft.
Yes I agree, I watched a little bit of Long and Gagne in the NCAA tournament. Gagne was a stud in goal for the best team in the nation (UNC) Long came off the bench for Duke, but l liked her work rate from the little I saw. I’d imagine it was hard to break into the starting line-up with all of those upperclassmen after returning from U-17 WWC. I was trying to find some Penn State ncaa tourney games to watch Katie Scott but haven’t had any luck. From reading about her she seems to be quite versatile, can play midfield or defense at a high level but doesn’t seem to have the size for center back which is the position I would like some more depth at. Overall, I’m excited to add some youth to our already strong roster. I think we’ve upgraded the goalie room this offseason. And I’m interested to see what we will do with those last 2 roster spots.
Yeah they completely rebuilt the goalkeeping topped by one of the best in the world, Lorena; added a veteran midfielder (Rodriguez) to an already strong midfield,re-signed Zaneratto (who if she can play more this season than last would be an upgrade). And May get A Pfeiffer back this season to add more quality youth.
Yes, I don’t love this. Hopefully it doesn’t hurt the team dynamic. After Vlatko’s national team experience, surely he can deal with this obvious conflict of interest. I do think she’s talented though, prob not an everyday NWSL starter. Hopefully the communication is very clear.
Whatever unfair advantage is perceived about her I think it is belied by how hard she played in the U17 WC. She can play, sure she has imperfections but she'd be on some team, why not her home-town team? Ain't this some kind of American dream?
I don't think anyone finds it an unfair advantage. I also don't think anyone else would have signed her for this season. She wasn't a starter at Duke. She is good enough to develop for sure. I just would not want to be Vlatko and have my bosses daughter on my team. Tough situation if she is not deserving of minutes.
Get her in camp, tell the owners that she needs time at a lower level, and loan her out to a USL Super League side until Summer. Re-evaluate then.
That won't happen. She has been training with them since high school. They are all fully aware of where she is at.