Because Portland and Seattle fans love it when you lump their news together (especially when you then have to choose which story goes first) …
The last of the eight Northwest Women’s Soccer League teams to announce their name began crafting their identity on Wednesday, with the Seattle Reign FC announced as the name of owner Bill Predmore’s franchise:
“Today’s announcement is the result of a thoughtful process to identify the name that best represents the values of our club, articulates our long-term ambitions and celebrates the community within which our supporters live.”
“Seattle Reign FC meets all of those objectives …”
While there has been some collective winging about some of the other logos floating around the league, Seattle nailed theirs:
The team also made official the long-known secret that Amy Carnell, who spent last season with the Sounders’ Women, will serve as the team’s general manager.
Three hours down the road in Portland, Thorns FC made some news of their own, hiring former U.S. Women’s National Team legend Cindy Parlow Cone as their first head coach.
Timbers and Thorns general manager Gavin Wilkinson:
“She was a part of a special group of players for the U.S. Women’s National Team that endeared women’s soccer to sports fans in the United States and helped catapult the U.S. Women into one of the best teams in the world. As a coach, Cindy is ambitious, and we feel she is the perfect fit to lead Thorns FC and help build the women’s game in Portland.”
Parlow Cone has spent the last six years as an assistant on Anson Dorrance’s staff at the University of North Carolina.
As a player, Parlow Cone was part of three national title-winning teams at UNC, twice being awarded the Harmann Trophy as the nation’s best player.
For the national team, Parlow Cone scored 75 goals in 158 appearances, winning two gold medals and the 1999 World Cup.
Parlow Cone:
“It is very exciting to be part of a new women’s league and to be a part of launching a new professional team in Portland,” Parlow Cone said. “I’ve seen first-hand the great enthusiasm Portland has for soccer; it’s a soccer-smart fan base that generates an incredible atmosphere. I am very much looking forward to the first season of Thorns FC.”
That season starts this spring and is set to run through the end of August.
First things first, though: These teams need some players.
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Manchester City rally downs Chelsea at the death in exciting US tour opener
May 23, 2013, 11:24 PM EDT
AP
Manchester City overcame a 3-goal deficit at Busch Stadium in St. Louis as Edin Dzeko bagged a brace to beat Chelsea 4-3.
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Yahoo! reports: Mourinho to sign 4-year deal with Chelsea, will be unveiled June 2
May 23, 2013, 11:03 PM EDT
Getty Images
Just days after Jose Mourinho mutually parted ways with Real Madrid, he will be completing a deal to become Chelsea’s next manager, says Martin Rogers of Yahoo! Sports via Twitter.
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Reuters
Roberto Martinez has given himself more time to decide on his future at Wigan, and also gave them a wish list.
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Getty Images
Asmir Begovic is apparently intending on showing up at the door of another club to start training.
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Reports: Porto to bank on Moutinho and Rodriguez in shock double move
May 23, 2013, 7:16 PM EDT
Reuters
AS Monaco, rich with the injection of money from a Russian tycoon, are set to make a huge splash, possibly as much as €70 million.
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The United States U-18 squad drew with the hosts in the middle of three group-stage matches during the 19th Annual Lisbon International Juniors Tournament.
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20-year-old Jonathan Osorio picked up his debut call-up to the Canadian national team along with three other Toronto FC teammates ahead of their friendly against Costa Rica on Tuesday.
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Leighton Baines says Everton will be fine without Moyes, but will they?
May 23, 2013, 5:11 PM EDT
Getty Images
“Football clubs live on and we’ll live on, we’ll move on.” They’ll move on, they have to. But will they effectively?
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Reuters
With the upcoming Champions League final this weekend featuring an all-German cast, Germany secured another massive Champions League achievement today.
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Anyone else bothered by the way Bayern Munich have conducted themselves ahead of this Saturday’s Champions League final?
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Getty Images
Sunderland’s central defender will say goodbye to the English Premier League in exchange for a switch stateside.
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Manchester City president shoots down high-profile transfer links
May 23, 2013, 2:00 PM EDT
Reuters
Chelsea fans will be delighted, while those supporting Manchester City are sure to question who’s on their team’s mind.
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Should Europa League winners be awarded a spot in the Champions League?
May 23, 2013, 1:37 PM EDT
Should the champions of the Europa League be awarded a spot in the following season’s Champions League?
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Espanyol fans upset with Barca shirt on the statute of Christopher Columbus
May 23, 2013, 12:07 PM EDT
The city’s decision to permit Columbus to wear angers Espanyol fans, who believe Barca receives too much support from local institutions.
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Gonzalo Higuain close to Juventus move while others continue the chase
May 23, 2013, 11:22 AM EDT
Despite notching an impressive 104 goals in 185 matches since moving to the Bernabeu in 2007, Higuain has struggled this season.
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With Arsenal rumored to be courting Swansea center-back Ashley Williams, Thomas Vermaelen has some decisions to make.
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Poor Strama, Allegri: Inter, AC Milan leave coaches in limbo
May 22, 2013, 11:51 PM EDT
Getty Images
Serie A’s two Milanese clubs have yet to move for new head coaches.
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Full circle: Misantrope’s revival could land Benítez in Paris, Madrid, or Naples
May 22, 2013, 11:06 PM EDT
Over the last three months, Rafa Benítez has reignited a floundering career.
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It’s piling on for Reign FC, who may permanently lose Megan Rapinoe to Lyon
May 22, 2013, 10:14 PM EDT
The hits just keep on coming for the NWSL’s hard-luck team.
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U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round draw: What it means for your MLS team
May 22, 2013, 9:20 PM EDT
The U.S. Open Cup draws sometimes need a decoder ring to decipher. Here’s a quick-and-dirty look at the MLS teams’ futures.
