Thought this would be a good idea to keep a main thread organized because I expect a lot of player movement, i'd like to keep updating this first post with players names so it is easy to see. The first big loss: Miyama is heading back to Japan
I'm sure there will be a lot more "big losses". There maybe some that have already happened that have not been announced by the teams yet. Wait till after the playoffs. I'm willing to bet that there will be a number of foreign players that will not come back as salaries get cut and restructuring continues and players want to go back home. I'm guessing this will be a somewhat different league next year. Expensive foreign players, especially the non-productive ones may be let go or go on their own, players may play closer to home, etc. We may even have our own homegrown players opt to play abroad instead of the WPS. It's a possibility. Who knows. We'll see.
Oh I expect this too, we've already seen the Abily and Bompastor rumours which will be another two major losses, with internationals who qulaify for the world cup, they'll most likely be the ones leaving. What will be interesting is who comes over for internationals, i've already said this before but teams will be looking at international teams who do not make the world cup. There are some good players out there and I just hope everything works out, I love seeing international players over here.
I think international players will always be (knock on wood WPS survives) more transitory. That's not a knock on them or the quality they (usually) bring. I think the key for franchises is to get solid core of American players at the club that are quality players and able to build fan support/following. That being said, I think there might be quite a bit of domestic player movement this offseason (knock wood that teams survive, etc). We know Abby is a free agent. I surmise that Rampone is a free agent. And that leads me to guess that perhaps multiple "elite" American players had 2 year contracts (perhaps w/ option years). I'm pretty sure Abily leaving was not a rumor but a firm announcement by OL on their site. iirc, it was Bompastor that was listed as possible/discussions still in progress in the OL announcement.
BTW, it is official about Abily: she is definitely leaving at the end of the season. I guess WPS has not announced it yet, but it's all over the French press.
I personally do not see a whole lot of the Northern European players in the league next year. We may still see the Brazilians, Spanish, Italians, Canadians, etc.
I can see a lot of international players deciding to stay closer to home for the 2011 season due to the WWC but possibly returning in 2012.
I also expect a lot of internationals, particularly Europeans, to drop out for 2011, both b/c/o the WWC and b/c/o that new pro league in England that supposed to start up soon. (That is still going to happen, right? I haven't heard anything (admittedly haven't looked) for the past few months) And you know what? That's alright by me. Most of the northern European teams have strong/stable enough leagues already, even if they're not completely professional - if WPS helps players from countries where women's leagues/NTs are up-and-coming, like Mexico, Spain, Italy, Nigeria, etc., I think I would like that.
I heard from someone that all of the Athletica players signed just 1 year deals.... Boy, I hope the Breakers can lure Hope to town!!!!
Cristiane to Santos for an offseason loan. But will they really bring her back for 2011? And if they do, why?
I don't see the word "loan" anywhere. I do see the word "release", which I hope is what really happens. Cristiane can only play with Marta. She is what Scottie Pippen was to Michael Jordan. The sidekick that helps the superstar achieve her/his greatness and in turn benefits. When given the chance to be the leader or the superstar herself, just like Scottie Pippen, she didn't get far. The CRS do not need Cristiane's price tag. The money can be better spent elsewhere.
Judging by the article, i'm under the impression this isn't a full release just so she can go play with Santos. I mean I think she's talented but the pricetag is not worth the production however much I like her.
Maybe her contract was to the end of the year or to the end of October or something so they released her early to go play with Santos. I wouldn't doubt this is a final release. I just don't see her coming back to the CRS.
Per our helpful French Arsenal fan it seems Chapman is on Arsenal's Champions league roster (scroll down). A loan or more permanent move?
shlj notices another WPS player on a UEFA Champions League roster. Koster for AZ Alkmaar. (I'm linking to these posts here b/c I don't think many regular WPS posters venture into the women's rivalry forum)
Little updated list: Abily Koster(loan or permanent) Chapman(loan or permanent) Bompastor(??) Miyama Cristiane Yamaguchi(loan) lol i'm not liking this at all
Nah I didn't I just like watching the internationals more so than the Americans and I hate when they leave.
You can't blame them for signing on to European teams to stay in form for the World Cup. If they're not going to be employed by US teams between now and February, they still need to make a living, and if they can get paid for playing soccer, why not? Look at all the WNBA players that go play in Russia in the off-season. A WPS salary won't carry them for a full year. I expect some will come back, some won't. I guess we'll see. But I agree, the internationals add a certain flair that makes it more fun to watch.
Does anyone know how Michelle Enyeart's rehab has gone? I ask b/c I think she bcm a free agent when Boston waived her back in June. She may have loyalty to that team given that they stuck with her for a while of course.
Good question how much they are paid in Europe. Obviously a few were paid pretty well - Marta and Lotta Schelin. But most others? I think not much. Their leagues are more semi-pro than pro (I think). Most of them still need other jobs. Many leave the game early because of the lack of money. Malin Moström (did I put the ö in the right place?) for example. WNBA is a bit different. Many of them get paid more to play in Russia than they do in the WNBA. It's just an anomaly. It's not like the leagues in Russia are a financial success; it's just that there are owners with deep pockets there and it's a hobby with them to have a championship team. I hope we'll see a lot of the internationals back but I'm a little worried that most of them will stay closer to home next year because of the World Cup.