This year in preseason Washington Spirit played against 5 college teams. They defeated Penn State 1:0, draw Duke 0:0, defeated UNC 2:0, lost to Maryland 2:0 and to UVA 6:3. Who do you want to see the Spirit play in next preseason? Personally I would like them to do the same but replace UNC with Vtech. There was some drama with Anson Dorrance last time and Vtech was excellent this season. Or maybe just add more games?
I think five preseason games in probably a good number, or at least five in the region. If there's some sort of preseaon camp help somewhere warmer, then by all means do more preseason games. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if they do less this time around, since one "goal" of last year's run of games was to basically advertise for the team, which they don't need to do as much anymore. As for what teams to play, I don't really care, though it would be awesome if at least one preseason game was against another NWSL team. Wouldn't it be quite the buzz if they got a game with the Dash lined up?
I wonder how much NT duty of some players will interrupt preseason this time around. There's Algarve Cup in March for sure. Possibly some friendlies later.
He wanted to play by college rules. The college teams do not have the senior players. So they're at disadvantage.
"The match almost didn’t happen, as North Carolina head coach Anson Dorrance insisted on playing with college substitution rules, despite being the guests of a professional team with NWSL guidelines stating pro/college exhibitions follow the “no re-entry” substitution format. Not wanting to turn nearly 2,000 fans away, Spirit GM Chris Hummer reluctantly agreed to the change." Source: http://www.nwslsoccer.com/home/707282.html
On second thought though if Dunn would end up on Washington Spirit roster it would be interesting to see her play against her college teammates.
Yeah, I think that would be a good idea. SBFC isn't too far away, perhaps they could do a home and home preseason series?
First preseason game announced and it's gonna be against UNC: March 22, 2014, Germantown, Md., 3 p.m Source: http://www.goheels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3350&ATCLID=209385483 Dunn playing against former teammates. Could be fun to watch. Are they gonna play by NWSL rules this time?
Since it is pre-season, why don't they let the college teams substitute by their rules while the NWSL follows their substitution rules. Sometimes I think they make things more difficult then they need to be.
UNC did last year despite the Spirit's objections, so I'd be very surprised to see anything different this time.
Great to hear that they'll play UVA too. Possibly many former teammates playing against each other and considering Spirit lost to them last year it should be interesting. I like the idea of Charity Match very much too. There'll be also public intersquad game (source: https://twitter.com/jgordon1987/status/428334429015003136)
This is great: There will be an audio stream for Saturdays preseason match against UNC! Listen here: http://t.co/7MgNY2oJeS— DC Spirit Crew (@DCSpiritCrew) March 19, 2014
The result of preseason game against UNC is 2:0. Goals from Matheson and Weimer. The starting lineup for Washington was: (C) T. Huster, T. Pressley, Y. Averbuch, C. Nairn, R. Cuellar, T. Weimer, C. Jones, M. Morris, B. Sierra, J. Angeli, D. Adams. A. Krieger, J. Taylor, C. Sandvej, L. Lindsey, C. Chapman, D. Matheson, A. Gay, R. Gayle all came on in the second half. Fisher is no longer with the team. Dunn didn't play but there is possibility that we'll see her next week against UVA.
Recap of the game against UNC with postgame quotes from Parsons: http://thesoccerdesk.com/washington-spirit-defeat-unc-2-0/
Another one: http://equalizersoccer.com/2014/03/23/washington-spiring-beat-north-carolina-tar-heels-preseason/
And mine: http://www.allwhitekit.com/?p=12797 Shasta Fisher chose to leave the team on Wednesday to pursue other opportunities.
I was pleased to see that the POTM in the Spirit's two preseason efforts were Meg Morris and Bianca Sierra, two undrafted players. I always like to see unheralded players come to the fore. And, maybe, just maybe, they'll be the answer to Washington's defense. But, of course, hope springs eternal for all fans of all sports in Washington DC -- and is always dashed when reality rears its ugly head.
Yup... DCU opened this season 0-2 so far. Granted, last year's MLS Sheild winners started 0-2-2, so there's hope but.................. Also, last year the Spirit won their first two preseason games and then crashed even before the season started, so I still want to make sure they don't lose to more NCAA teams before I hope too much for the Spirit's D.
Initial reports indeed indicate that defense looks much better but let's see how they'll deal with UVa this weekend since they lost to them last year 6:3. I think this year will be different.