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.
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Story-lines: What to watch for on the final day of the Premier League
May 19, 2013, 11:30 AM EDT
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With David Beckham-esque tears streaming down my cheeks, we’re finally here: The final day of the 2012-13 Barclay’s Premier League.
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All eyes on Newcastle v. Arsenal for final Champions League spot
May 19, 2013, 10:19 AM EDT
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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.
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Philadelphia’s Jack McInerney would be league’s youngest Golden Boot winner
May 19, 2013, 9:32 AM EDT
Not to get too far ahead of ourselves on the 20-year-old goal-scoring sensation … :
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Seattle overtakes Dallas in a starburst of offensive soccer
May 19, 2013, 12:48 AM EDT
The Sounders exploit Dallas’ young back line in a meeting of two Western Conference teams in top form. Final score: 4-2 for the Sounders:
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Juan Agudelo makes his New England debut as Jay Heaps posts one of the best wins of his young coaching career:
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A real injury concern for Portland as Darlington Nagbe falls
May 18, 2013, 8:05 PM EDT
The young Timbers’ attacker is having an outstanding season for the Jeld-Wen Field bunch:
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Federico Higuain steals the show for Columbus in a road win over Toronto
May 18, 2013, 7:38 PM EDT
Higuain created the game’s only goal and was masterful in possession at BMO Field:
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PSG president confirms Saturday was likely David Beckham’s farewell match
May 18, 2013, 6:44 PM EDT
Reuters
An appearance next week in Paris Saint-Germain’s final match 2012-13 season doesn’t seem to be in the plans for the retiring superstar:
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As Alex Ferguson says goodbye, Manchester United’s cupboard remains stocked
May 18, 2013, 3:15 PM EDT
Reuters
Depth at United will allow David Moyes to hut big game this offseason.
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Wherein MLS expansion becomes the new David Beckham transfer rumor
May 18, 2013, 2:40 PM EDT
David Beckham’s not dropping off your radar anytime soon.
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Roberto Mancini takes out full page thank you ad in Manchester Evening News
May 18, 2013, 1:17 PM EDT
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Bayern Munich finish German season 25 points ahead of Borussia Dortmund
May 18, 2013, 12:28 PM EDT
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Mercifully, the season’s come to an end for the 17 clubs who tried to keep pace with Bayern Munich.
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Ferguson, on Mancini’s Manchester City dismissal: ‘It is quite amazing’
May 18, 2013, 11:40 AM EDT
Manchester United’s outgoing boss was amazed but not surprised at his rival’s dismissal.






