Comments on: Winners and losers from Friday’s NWSL Allocation

By: bellerophon30

bellerophon30 — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 02:33:23 +0000

So they announced this new league, hired coaches and presumably all the other off-field personnel……and with a couple months before lauch, they don’t have the main US players under contract to actually play in it?!

This only happens in US soccer, I swear. I’m understanding Sepp Blatter’s condescension a little bit more now. Just a little bit.

I know that the players more or less have to sign on, or get crucified for letting another league fail….but my goodness. Part of me wants Alex Morgan and Hope Solo to put the screws to Gulati and really fleece him, just to prove a point. I know Alex won’t do that, but you never know what Hope might be capable of. This is not going to go very smoothly, I can tell.

Well of course, it’s being run by US Soccer.

By: Richard Farley

Richard Farley — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 23:05:09 +0000

No USWNT player is signed to the league, yet. At least unconfirmed word, the deal has been agreed to and is just awaiting the final formalities.

I’d have to ask about whether Rapinoe would be obligated tot he group’s pact, but I can’t see how that would be legal. However, the team has always effectively acted as their own bargaining unit (they had their own WPS deals, too). I’m not sure what would happen if somebody didn’t stick to that …

But I’m also speaking out of my depth a bit. I’ll try to ask around.

By: bellerophon30

bellerophon30 — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 22:27:11 +0000

I’m reading now that Rapinoe has not actually agreed, contractually, to play in the new league. She does have a say, right? Or is she contractually obligated via whatever deal she has with the USWNT? If she isn’t, can’t she just shrug and say “I’m only playing for Portland.” ?

After the stunts that MLS pulled with its initial allocations back in 1996, I’d be interested to see if she’ll dig in (if that’s actually what she wants).

By: starcityfan

starcityfan — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 03:02:49 +0000

I’d like to see the Spirit sign forwards Lianne Sanderson (who played for the same organization last year when it was the DC United Women) and Lisa de Vanna (who played for the Washington Freedom on the same pitch in 2009 and 2010). That would pretty much settle any concerns about scoring.

By: talistener

talistener — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 01:46:22 +0000

I actually think Washington is stronger than given credit for in this article. Defensively it looks strong and Matheson is one of Canada’s better midfielders, if they find a good forward combo, they could surprise. Obviously Portland is being held as the early favorites but their goalkeeper hasn’t had good minutes in a while. Offense alone will not win a championship and their midfield looks decent at best. Heath loses the ball quite often. I think if the Flash pick up a good goalkeeper in the draft, they will be one of the stronger teams. Overall, Chicago and Sky Blue leave the least impression on me.

By: bradygazelle

bradygazelle — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 01:46:06 +0000

We are only dealing with around half of a starting XI and there is still a ton of young non-allocated talent out there. It’s way to early to make any judgement other than on “star potential”.

Hopefully, all of these teams will draw well because there are a lot of locations in the US who would love a top-level women’s team who got left out.

By: lag12

lag12 — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 01:12:42 +0000

I really think that FC Kansas City looks strong. I don’t think that Cheney has to move back to forward to have as much impact as this article implies. Scott can easily be the defensive midfielder while Cheney gets to focus on the attack. Cheney is very much a play maker and will help set up goals. I definitely think that Kansas City’s soccer savvy fans will appreciate her style of play as an attacking midfielder.

I am very excited about this league. Even if some teams got the short end of the stick in the allocations, so much more of the team will be made up of free agents and draft picks. Can’t wait to see how the teams come together!

By: nygiantstones

nygiantstones — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 00:52:37 +0000

Are there only 8 clubs in this league? Well, at least the titles will reside in the Northwest. (Seattle resident here)

By: nickp91

nickp91 — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 00:09:18 +0000

Portland Thorns FC is the early favorite to win the first league championship

By: sfcp6

sfcp6 — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 23:20:16 +0000

It’s spelled *LePeilbet. What is the source of this alleged knee problem?

By: LT

LT — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 22:49:18 +0000

Good, well-balanced article. Pros & cons for each; I think Washington will do just fine. Krieger is the darling of the Tumblr set & folks will be happy to see her back.

If you were going to put Morgan somewhere else, where would you put her, and for whom?