Some changes for 2008: - http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/216913.html This seems like a more balanced approach, unlike this past season when the three best teams (Ottawa, Washington, and Jersey) were all in the same conference.
Two things I take from this press release: 1. No more San Diego Sunwaves or Mile High in the West 2. I am not sure why the league only has a "play-in" for the #2 and #3 teams in the Nothern and Northeast divisions, and not the Midwest and Atlantic as well. Do they think the Nothern and Northeast divsions are stronger with more teams at the top to sort out at the end of the season? IMO, and no offense to teams like Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver, but the Northeast division is still the toughest to get through.
I think it's a good sign that they added 3 teams in California. It's too bad that San Diego won't be back. If they had these teams a couple of years ago, it might have helped them stay around. I'm looking forward to see how FC Indiana does. If they have most of the team that they had last year, I think they will easily be one of the contenders in that division. I also expect to see some what of a influx of international players this next season with the pro league coming back in 09.
A bunch of them followed him from the Wildcats to Sky Blue. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see that happen again.
I think there is a difference between following him up the turnpike a few exits and going across several time zones. I think for most of these players to follwo him, they would probably have to find them housing and maybe summer jobs. But you never know.
Here's info on two of the new teams in California; Los Angeles and Venturia County. They are part of the organizations (two seperate clubs) that run the PDL teams LA Storm and VC Fusion. I think it's encouraging to see clubs have both men's and women's teams. http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/218469.html
Here's an article about the team that the Venura County Fusion is going to have. http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2007/dec/19/fusion-to-field-womens-team-in-08/
Well, I was thinking mostly of the imported players. The stars for Sky Blue last year were (IMHO) Lara Dickenmann, Casey Nogueira, Formiga, and Tobin Heath. The only local on that list is Tobin.
Part of this article covers the new W-league team for the Railhawks. Considering their location, I think they have the potential to pretty good from the start. Just considering the players from UNC and Duke they should do really well. http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/story/844425.html
Here's info from the league site about the new W-League team in West Virginia. They are located in Morgantown, so I would imagine some current and ex WVU players. Can someone tell me the limit on the number of current players that play on the same team in the offseason. For some reason I think it's 5. They have had a pretty good team the last couple of years so that should help them. http://wleague.uslsoccer.com/home/220007.html
How come the Tampa Bay Hellenic are not in the 2008 expansion page? http://www.uslsoccer.com/features/Expansion/index_E.html
Casey has signed with the Railhawks. As for Tobin, she may decide not to play W-League this year. She'll be trying to earn an Oly roster spot, and the WNT has a busy schedule with domestic games, the Peace Queen Cup, and various camps (the dom. games should be announced soon). If she does decide to play in the W-League, I would imagine she'll stay in Jersey. School will be out, and her family's up there.
Tobin erred by not following Charlie. He would improve her as a player and she would have won the league with the Blues.
I don't think it is that big of an asumption, look athe players he is assembling.... I put even money on them going to the final four... that is why you bring in Charlie. Ran into an equally good team in the Freedom last year, now that they are not in the same conference there is really not much that would keep him from the final four I assume that Canada is keeping their players out again this year to train for the olympics?
This season I think we are going to see more post college and international players then usual. The obvious teams will be loading up on non college players. They will be trying to get noticed for the start of the WPS next year. By the time the season starts clubs like Pali Blues, FC Indiana and Washington Freedom will have played more games then the majority of the clubs.
The league kicks off this weekend with the following games. Saturday Jersey Sky Blue at Boston Renegades Connecticut Passion at New York Magic Charlotte Lady Eagles at West Virginia Illusion Washington Freedom at Long Island Rough Riders Carolina RailHawks at Carolina Dynamo Hampton Roads Piranhas at Atlanta Silverbacks Pali Blues at Ventura County Fusion Sunday Bradenton Athletics at Tampa Bay Hellenic
Here are the results; Saturday Jersey Sky Blue 1:0 Boston Renegades Connecticut Passion 2:2 New York Magic Charlotte Lady Eagles 3:0 West Virginia Illusion Washington Freedom 3:1 Long Island Rough Riders Carolina RailHawks 2:0 Carolina Dynamo Hampton Roads Piranhas 1:3 Atlanta Silverbacks Pali Blues 5:0 Ventura County Fusion Sunday Bradenton Athletics 1:0 Tampa Bay Hellenic