The newest women’s league, the Women’s National Soccer League, has worked on the financials and I think, has gotten a better deal out it. The national federations for the US, Canada and Mexico pay for 3, 2 and 2 players, respectively, with the rest having a salary cap. It also allows for university soccer players to play without losing eligibility.
Today was the allocation of the top 55 players across the league. Chicago got Olympic 3x Gold Medalist Shannon Boxx (MF), Defender Amy LePeilbet (Gold Medalist in the 2012 Olympics) and Keelin Winters, who’s played with the USWNT U-23 team. Boxx is pretty awesome and the “old lady” at 35, but she’s a legend. The Red Stars snagged Canadians Erin McLeod (GK, and the enemy of the Canadian National Team from the Olympic SemiFinals) and my personal favorite, Carmelina Moscato (MF). From Mexico, the Red Stars got Maribel Dominguez (F) and Dinora Garza (MF). Apparently Maribel Dominguez pissed off FIFA when she tried to sign a contract for a second tier men’s team in Mexico, saying, why the hell not? I like that.
The rest of the teams are the Boston Breakers, FC Kansas City, Portland Thorns FC, Sky Blue FC, Washington Spirit, and Western NY Flash. The legendary Abby Wambach (who won the Player of the Year a few days ago from FIFA) is in NY with the Flash. Hope Solo and Megan Rapinoe are in Seattle. Alex Morgan and Tobin Heath are in Portland.
I think what will be more interesting is that with Portland and Seattle (and possibly KC), there will be more integration with the existing soccer fans and teams, versus prior leagues who treated it like a competitor and an enemy. I hope that’s the case. I’d like to see the sport grow and not only provide quality entertainment and gameplay, but stop young women from thinking musicians and the like are valid role models.
]]>Abby Wambach, my favorite player, got sucker punched by a Colombian player, during their 3-0 win over them. http://olympics.yardbarker.com/blog/olympics/article/abby_wambach_tangles_with_colombian_player_gets_punched_video/11322196
And US GK Hope Solo is back to her bitchy self, starting trouble and a tweet war with US Olympic soccer legend Brandi Chastain (aka the woman who ripped off her jersey and flexed.) Chastain was critical about aspects of the game and Solo reacted like a proper diva. Hope Solo’s always been a bitch, even dating back to the last Olympics. And she seems to get by because she’s pretty. I just shake my head.
]]>Hope Solo, hottie and bitchy US Women’s goalkeeper, tested positive for Canrenone, which she claimed was part of a PMS drug she was taking.
]]>The Red Stars have signed former players like Michelle Wenino, Jackie Santacaterina, Michele Weissenhofer, local legend/DePaul grad Julianne Sitch and fan favorite Ella Masar. Any redblooded male is happy to have Ella back.
]]>WPS has had 3 CEOs in 4 years. That’s not good. They’ve also had a good number of teams leave the league after each season, and in the case of the St. Louis Athletica, in the middle of the season.
I think the problem is that women’s professional soccer isn’t quite strong enough to stand on their own. What I’d love to see is an emulation of the European system, where women’s teams play as a subsidiary of the men’s team (so, the “Lady Fire” or “Fire Women") instead of on their own. Save on overhead costs, plus instant brand affiliation.
]]>The winner vs the Hellenic goes onto play the winner of the Orange County Waves vs. defending champion, the Boston Aztecs.
At least there’s a real chance of having a championship team in Chicago this year.
]]>USA went up in the 2nd minute on an own-goal, and rode the 1-0 lead until the second half. A tackle inside of the box by a US player (very questionable) got a player red carded on our side and Brazil was awarded a penalty kick. All of this was BS. The penalty kick was saved by Hope Solo BUT the referee somehow it wasn’t right and they had to redo the kick. This time, Brazil made it, 1-1.
So the game was progressing and went to overtime - after 90 minutes, they do two 15 minute halves with no “golden goal” like hockey. Brazil scored - their lead kicker made a crossing pass while offside and they scored off a header by Marta (Player of the year, etc). But hey, if the refereeing was going to be crap, you might as well go all out and say it’s crap. So our girls were down 2-1 and trying to fight it out.
Then some nonsense came - Brazil was doing everything they could to run out the clock, including having a fake injury where the player was carted off the field on a stretcher. 30 seconds later, she hops off and sprints down the sideline. What the fucking fuck? Needless to say, horrible sportsmanship.
Then at the 122th minute, Megan Rapinoe (former Chicago Red Stars) kicked the most perfect pass to ex-girlfriend and all American rockstar, Abby Wambach who put the header into the corner, tying the game up with literally seconds to spare. 2 to fucking 2.
If the game’s still tied, then it comes to penalty kicks. Our girls nailed all 5 attempts, beating Brazil 5-3.
You really need to watch the highlights: http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6754797/women-world-cup-uscaptured-lightning-bottle-brazil-soccer
]]>Overall I don’t have the warm and fuzzies. The left side played horribly and they didn’t really get tested. The US was way bigger than the NORK players, so it truly was like watching a pro team beat up in a high school team. The size advantage works but not when you’re playing truly skilled teams.
Next up: Colombia on Saturday.
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