Looks like prominent women’s players angling for northwest spots
Nov 28, 2012, 5:50 PM EDT
AP The Oregonian’s Geoffrey Arnold was also out and about with the U.S. Women’s National Team at last night’s open practice, and no surprise, the Timbers beat man was focused on the upcoming women’s soccer league, in which Portland’s expected to be a significant player.
Portland has one of the eight teams in the upcoming U.S. Soccer (and Canadian and Mexican soccer) supported league, but theirs is the only one with a direct tie-in to a market’s Major League Soccer team. The Paulson family will own both.
With Abby Wambach and Megan Rapinoe making Portland home (and Canada international Christine Sinclair having roots in the area), speculation regarding how loaded the northwest teams will be began shortly after U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati conceded teams and players will have input on where talent’s allocated. With Alex Morgan, Sydney Leroux and Hope Solo playing for the Sounders Women in last year’s W-League, the northwest spots are already starting to fill up.
Arnold asked a number of the national team’s stars about the possibility of playing in Portland. Here’s Wambach, who has also been linked with Western New York and Washington, D.C.:
“Of course I would love to play here,” Wambach said. “(I have to) make sure it’s the right fit for me. The right fit for the city. I would love to call Jeld-Wen Field my home base.”
And Rapinoe:
“I just moved back here, so it would be nice to stay put when I come and play in the league,” said Rapinoe, a star player for the University of Portland. “After coming to this city, everybody is going to want to come here.”
Solo, who lives outside Seattle:
“It’s so awesome that Seattle and Portland are going to have a women’s team and create that rivalry,” goalkeeper Hope Solo said.
As I spoke to other national team members, there seemed to be both a realization the northwest will be a coveted assignment and caution that things are still a long way off. Multiple players hinted details on the league are still hard to come by, so while everybody was optimistic about the league, the optimism was cautious.
If the league comes to fruition, U.S. Soccer may have to weigh having star-studded teams in the northwest against parity.
Then again, it’s pretty ludicrous to take any competitive issue too seriously right now. After all, the league hasn’t even been named, yet.
-
Getty Images
Kljestan becomes the fifth American to defend a title in a top league:
-
Getty Images
He probably will not be missed around Vancouver
-
Sporting K.C. makes it clear after blown call – “I scored the goal”
May 19, 2013, 10:00 PM EDT
Getty Images
Sporting K.C. manager Peter Vermes and defender Ike Opera didn’t appreciate the pivotal offsides call that disallowed a possible winning goal against D.C. United, and they made that very obvious.
-
D.C. United rue own goal but end losing streak against Sporting KC
May 19, 2013, 7:51 PM EDT
Getty Images
A dull, scoreless first half picked up in the second term as D.C. United grabbed a point against the league’s second-best team and ended their club-record losing streak at 7 matches.
-
Carlo Ancelotti denied release from PSG as he looks to Real Madrid job
May 19, 2013, 5:50 PM EDT
Reuters
With his eye on the imminent vacancy at Real Madrid left by Jose Mourinho’s almost certain departure, Paris Saint-Germain’s mastermind Carlo Ancelotti may now have a large hurdle to get past if he is to land his ideal job in Spain’s capital.
-
Fernando Torres scores first Premier League goal in 2013 as Chelsea secures third place
May 19, 2013, 5:34 PM EDT
Fernando Torres broke his Premier League scoring drought by banging home the game-winner to secure Chelsea a third place finish.
-
Getty Images
Heartbreak in Serie A this year belongs to Fiorentina. Mario Balotelli converted a penalty in the 84th minute to draw level and two minutes later Philippe Mexes slotted home a cross to secure Europe’s top competition for AC Milan.
-
Despite little to play for, Premier League final day provides prize money shifts
May 19, 2013, 4:47 PM EDT
Reuters
With Arsenal and Tottenham the only teams battling for any meaningful positioning in the Premier League table, the final day still had implications for many teams in the form of placement prize money.
-
Getty Images
Sir Alex Ferguson managed the final match of his career away from Old Trafford, and it looked set to complete on a high note, until the opposition had other ideas late.
-
(Video) Gareth Bale’s wonder strike not enough for Tottenham to capture Champions League dreams
May 19, 2013, 4:25 PM EDT
Another game-winning strike from Gareth Bale wasn’t enough to save Tottenham from more Champions League heartache.
-
Getty Images
New York took all the points from the L.A. Galaxy on Tim Cahill’s late goal. So let’s talk about that goal.
-
Where Landon Donovan’s afternoon takes us in the ongoing U.S. national team debate
May 19, 2013, 3:17 PM EDT
This Landon Donovan debate regarding his place on the national team is not going anywhere. So, did Sunday’s performance move the needle either way?
-
Arsenal grabs Champions League spot with victory over Newcastle
May 19, 2013, 2:42 PM EDT
Arsenal secured its 16th consecutive spot on the Champions League with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Newcastle at St. James’ Park on Sunday.
-
Story-lines: What to watch for on the final day of the Premier League
May 19, 2013, 11:30 AM EDT
Getty Images
With David Beckham-esque tears streaming down my cheeks, we’re finally here: The final day of the 2012-13 Barclay’s Premier League.
-
All eyes on Newcastle v. Arsenal for final Champions League spot
May 19, 2013, 10:19 AM EDT
Getty Images
Newcastle have nothing to play for and have been a disaster at home of late, losing their last two matches at St. James’ Park by a combined 9-0.



