Author: RJ Allen

Portland Looks to Win (the Playoffs) Pretty in the Rose City

Posted on by RJ Allen

The 2016 Portland Thorns have been one of the most consistent teams in the NWSL this season. Currently in second place with 38 points, they look to march into the playoffs with the confidence of knowing they have a great chance to make the championship.

Offense:

The Thorns are second in the league in scoring, tallying an impressive 32 goals with eight different players contributing. The top two scorers on the team are Nadia Nadim with nine and Christine Sinclair with six. This high powered offense has been a result of the talent the team has accumulated under first-year coach Mark Parsons. Newcomers who adjusted and found success with Parsons and his system include USWNT members Meghan Klingenberg, Lindsey Horan, and Emily Sonnett; Danish international Nadim, French star Amandine Henry, and Iceland’s young talent Dagny Brynjarsdottir. The biggest star on the team is USWNT veteran Tobin Heath, who has been with the club since the league began in 2013. In just one season together, this team has managed to find a way to become an elite threat and one that could very well win the championship.

Defense:

The defense hasn’t been as consistent in my eyes but it’s gotten the job done. The Thorns have allowed 18 goals against; which is tied with the Washington Spirit for league-best. In goal the Thorns have Michelle Betos and Adrianna Franch, who have both done well when called upon. Both are in the top seven in shutouts; Betos with four while Franch has earned three. The backline of Klingenberg, Sonnett, Emily Menges and Katherine Reynolds is a young but experienced group. Klingenberg and Sonnett started the season off strong but to be honest, I haven’t been impressed with the last handful of games by either. If they can sharpen up in time for the playoffs, I expect them to once again be a strong defense.

Rose City Advantage:

One reason I think this team could go far; they’ve only lost three times in 19 games this season; coming against FCKC, the Houston Dash and most recently, the Seattle Reign, their NWSL rivals. But none of their losses have been to playoff teams. Their record against Washington, the Chicago Red Stars, and WNY Flash this year stands at four wins, two draws. Three of those wins have come at Providence Park, where they’ve outscored the above opponents nine to three. While these may just be numbers to some, they can’t be ignored and certainly Thorns fans have to feel good about them hosting a playoff game given the team’s success there. Another part of the advantage is the atmosphere they provide every game; an average of 16,945 passionate fans showing up to disrupt any challenger.

With two weeks until the playoffs start, we still don’t know who Portland will face, but one thing is for sure–they will be ready.

Chicago’s Best Football Team Isn’t the Bears, or the Fire

Posted on by RJ Allen

Last Sunday marked an eventful day for professional women’s sports leagues in Chicago.

Both the Chicago Sky of the WNBA and the Chicago Red Stars of the NWSL clinched their playoff spots in their respective leagues. Just last month, the Chicago Bandits won their fourth league championship for National Pro Fast Pitch softball. Each professional woman’s league in Chicago has had their share of successes.  However, the Chicago Red Stars seem to be just hitting their stride.

The National Women’s Soccer League has only one week left in its regular season, but the Red Stars are already playoff bound. Their final game against current league leaders, Washington Spirit, will determine whether Chicago heads to Portland or DC for their semi-final. Last season, in the club’s first ever playoff appearance, they lost to eventual champions FC Kansas City, 0-3. A very young team at its core, Chicago will look to redeem themselves in this year’s playoffs.

That’s right. A winning football team in Chicago will be going to the playoffs.

YOU DON’T KNOW IT YET, BUT THIS IS YOUR FAVORITE TEAM

When the NWSL entered a historic fourth season, it found the Red Stars calling Toyota Park (Bridgeview, IL) their new permanent home.  It was sort of a homecoming for the former WPS club. The organization as a whole set goals for themselves and have exceeded many expectations due to the efforts of front office trinity, owner Arnim Whisler, General Manager Alyse LaHue, and Head Coach Rory Dames. These three helped lay the blue print for the team that continues to grow even before our eyes.

Their successful draft strategy has resulted in picks of players like Jen Hoy, Julie Johnson, Vanessa DiBernardo, Arin Gilliland, Danielle Colaprico, and Sofia Huerta. They haven’t been afraid to make trades in order  to acquire players like Christen Press and Steph McCaffrey. Many of their players are only in their second year in the league. Specifically, players like Gilliland and Colaprico, who have been dominating their positions at outside back and defensive midfielder.

Off season acquisitions, including United States National Team goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, and versatile defender Casey Short, have helped solidify Chicago’s defensive backline, one that has given teams problems all year. Given the recent news of U.S. Soccer terminating Hope Solo’s contract, there has been speculation about Naeher’s rise as the potential starter.

It’s a perfect team to root for considering Chicago has always been a town that rallies behind defensive minded teams.

SO WHY ISN’T CHICAGO SUPPORTING A WINNER?

Last weekend also marked the beginning of a new NFL season. Chicago Bears fans found themselves licking their wounds on Monday morning after an opening game that felt like fans should prepare themselves for another season of mediocrity in 2016.  And the Chicago Fire celebrated their thirteenth loss of the season, leaving them to battle for the second worst team in MLS.

Exciting.

It’s difficult to gauge exactly why a team like the Red Stars are unable to draw a crowd similar to markets like the Orlando Pride, Portland Thorns, or Houston Dash. Chicago is a very sports-saturated city, with its eyes centered in on the big four of NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL. Some might say that soccer isn’t quite as popular as other pro-sports. Some also might argue that an audience for Women’s Pro-leagues are already small and niche to begin with.

Others have mentioned location. At its inception, the NWSL found the Red Stars playing their games at a Benedictine University, a small private college in Lisle, IL. Although it’s hard to debate location anymore since the move to Toyota Park this season, especially considering the Benedictine field is further from Chicago (25.5mi) than Bridgeview (15.8 mi) is. Furthermore, is there really a debate when you’re comparing a college facility to a pro major league facility?

A team that will have back to back playoff appearances in a four-year-old league deserves to play in a facility and pitch designed for professional athletes.

Still others complain about the difficulty had finding the games, considering they’re not aired on television–local or national–regularly. But even that isn’t really an excuse.

You haven’t been able to watch their games? They’re on YouTube. You can go catch up right now.

SEIZING THE MOMENT

Whatever the reason, you probably haven’t made it to a game. Yet. There’s still time. Despite all the above mentioned reasons, that doesn’t mean that the product on the field is less competitive by any means.  

In the NWSL, the top four teams head to the playoffs. Since the start of this season, the Red Stars have found themselves constantly in the playoff mix. They have players who have battled through injuries, week in and week out. A defensive minded, blue collar team, full of grit. They’ve managed to start scoring more than one goal a game. Whatever the scoreline, they don’t quit.

You shouldn’t either.

So while you may enjoy watching wide receivers run incomplete routes that lead to interceptions, or teams that rack up losses like they’re trying to break a world record, you might consider supporting the Chicago Red Stars. It’s not too late. Again, they have a one last home game of the season before they’re off to compete for a championship. That’s right. A real league championship.

You can catch your Chicago Red Stars final home game at Toyota Park. Saturday, September 24th against the Washington Spirit.

 

Media Circus Skirts the Issue on Rapinoe Protest

Posted on by RJ Allen

Megan Rapinoe took a knee for the third time in four games on Sunday night. This time it wasn’t in an NWSL game in her Seattle Reign FC jersey, but an international friendly in her national team colors. In the days leading up to the match, many had offered speculation on whether or not Rapinoe would choose to take a knee during the friendly against Thailand, and she was asked about her process on her protest.

“It seems like I’m thinking 400 hours a day, that’s kind of how it feels,” Rapinoe said. “I will continue to talk to the people in my life that I trust, and take all sides into account. Ultimately, it will be up to me and what I feel convicted about, what’s in my bones and what I feel like is right.”

On days leading up to the match some wondered if she would, or if she wouldn’t continue. Others whether or not her method was appropriate. Whether or not her actions would take away from the retirement of longtime national team veteran Heather O’Reilly. Even whether or not taking a knee was the most effective way for her message to be conveyed. 

COVERAGE

Thursday evening, we got our answer:  she did it. So, in a mainstream sports media that usually ignores women’s athletics, this became an instant highlight. It brought several things to the forefront of the news cycle–not just the national team, but the women’s pro league, the NWSL, as well. 

Rapinoe’s actions spawned constant dialogue from ESPN commentator and former national team icon Julie Foudy during coverage of the match against Thailand on Thursday:

“Wherever you fall on the spectrum of love it or hate it with an anthem protest, I hope there is one thing we all can agree on. And that is that honoring freedom comes in many forms, and one of the beautiful rights we’ve been given in this country is freedom of expression and we all have that right even during the national anthem, even in a USA jersey. I know it wasn’t easy”

Foudy was repeatedly asked about it before and even during the game.

“I am torn by it, I think it’s one of the greatest aspects of our country, that we have the freedom to do just that. That is what makes this country so beautiful. I couldn’t have done it [kneel] as a US player standing on that line, I know that.”

Earlier in the week, the U.S. Soccer Federation noted that it held its players to certain standards regarding the anthem, and that they didn’t want attention taken away from national team legend Heather O’Reilly’s retirement game. Head Coach Jill Ellis echoed similar statements in interviews.  And the Federation had a statement prepared to release immediately after the end of the Thailand match–the same retirement game they didn’t want to take focus away from O’Reilly.

Despite their apparent concern, the statement was released live on ESPN for Foudy to give closing statements on, leaving O’Reilly to give her farewell speech in the background, as if live viewers were uninterested in hearing it:

“As part of the privilege of living in this country, don’t you also have the right to do just [protest] that? [..] Not to say you have to agree with it, but isn’t that what this country is about? What does that mean, ‘expectations?’ does that mean there will be repercussions?”

On Sunday, hours before the friendly against the Netherlands, Rapinoe was listed as an active player on the national team roster. The decision to have Rapinoe dress appeared to many as proof that the USSF will would allow Rapinoe to go unpunished for exercising her right to protest. Even though Rapinoe’s right to refuse to participate in the national anthem is constitutionally protected, the USSF’s statement implies that they could take action against her if they decided to do so.

Furthermore, this is women’s soccer we’re discussing. We have seen enough examples of what happens to players who speak out against their coaches. When they speak out about their federations. When they bring unwanted attention to the team.

It usually results in some kind of punishment, banishment, or unemployment.

Rapinoe knelt during the anthem in both friendlies. She came in as a second-half sub in both, to a crowds that responded with both boos and cheers.  More boos in Georgia than Ohio, but still present at both. The Fox Sports 1 commentary during Sunday night’s match didn’t help the narrative either. Not once in the commentary was the actual message discussed. Not one of the specific issues mentioned by Rapinoe was discussed by the media. Not once were the struggles that black citizens of this country face talked about. The word RACE itself was rarely mentioned if at all.

In the end, the US won the match 3-1 over Netherlands. 

And while U.S. Soccer has been a constant in our news feeds since the women’s national team was eliminated from the Rio Olympics, this is not the type of coverage–or the fan tour–they were hoping it would be. Just last night co-captain Carli Lloyd was asked if the protest has been a distraction for the team. Though she answered yes, Lloyd emphasized that they are a team used to distractions and would overcome these current ones as well.

THERE’S TOO MANY ISSUES

We Americans love our sports. We also love to express our patriotism through those sports. Race relations and race issues in this country have been so intense of late that much of what Rapinoe has tried to get discussed has been drowned out by the reactions of others to her protest. So far, there has been far more discussion about her form and method than her actual reasons.

For people who are struggling with recognizing what race issues actually are, here is a very short list that only mentions some, not all, of the issues at play:

  • General Race Issues:  racism, discrimination, prejudice, etc., against people of color in the United States
  • Visible representation:  lack of diverse colleges/universities, government, or work place as well as lack of representation in media, movies, books, tv, or other products of pop culture
  • Civic Oppression:  deeply segregated cities, gentrification, police brutality, black on black crime, gun violence, limited access to health care, groceries, jobs

When Kaepernick was asked for something specific about his protest, he mentioned police brutality.  He has also stated his protest includes, but is NOT limited to only that. It’s to highlight the general struggles and oppression of black citizens in this country. 

Rapinoe has been asked to elaborate on her stance with taking a knee along with Kaepernick and the other athletes who have joined him. Here is a short list of the things she has mentioned:

  • Solidarity with Kaepernick’s protest
  • Finding common ground to discuss race issues
  • Trying to be a voice in creating open dialogue that rarely has high profile white athletes speaking out
  • Struggle of gay Americans
  • Wage gap struggle for white women vs women of color
  • And far more

NOT ENOUGH REASONS TO IGNORE

It’s 2016 and there is still a sector of Americans who are uncomfortable with discussing race issues. The reality is this, there are absolutely too many race issues to take on in such a general protest, and that fact alone should make you concerned as an American citizen.

It should make you so sad that you want to do something about it, to create change in whatever way you can find yourself capable of.

Instead some fans and citizens are upset at a form of protest interrupting their sports event.

Rapinoe has a huge opportunity and huge platform. I hope that U.S. Soccer doesn’t try and take that away from her. I am hoping she uses it to be active in more than just discussions but literal actions. Whether that includes more activism or charitable work, eventually this does need to move beyond the pitch, beyond just conversations and creating awareness.

People are aware there are race issues. Some just choose to ignore them.

That’s why it’s important to use a platform you’ve been given but also to step off the soap box and take actual action.

This is a country that has given its citizens certain freedoms, liberties, and opportunities. It has been built on the backs of slaves, on the shoulders of immigrants and it is still seen as a land of opportunity for the tired, the poor, and the huddled masses yearning to breathe free.

But how do we make sure the poor, the tired, and those huddled masses can truly prosper in the land of the free and the home of the brave?

It can start with taking a stand, in taking a knee.

It can lead to conversations, to action, and hopefully, to change.

Grading USWNT Clothing Lines

Posted on by RJ Allen

It seems that more and more athletes are creating their own clothing lines lately and the U.S. Women’s National Team is no exception. Even though many players have had clothing lines in the past, most have since discontinued them. Currently, only four players have clothing lines that are available through their personal websites or through a direct affiliate website. Of the existing four, I have examined each of the clothing lines and in my unprofessional fashion opinion and professional fan opinion, graded them on a scale of A-F.  During the process, I will keep in mind each line’s marketing strategies, options, and overall appeal.

 

Grading Scale:

A- Great job. Might only need one or two slight improvements.

B- Overall good. Could improve in a few areas.

C- Not the best. Could significantly improve in many areas.

D- Clear flaws. Needs a lot of help.

F- Why did you do this?

 

For each clothing line I will be doing an “initial grade” and a “final grade”. I did this to show that my perception of each line changed after analysis and overall comparison.

 

Ashlyn Harris

 

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Initial Grade: A-

 

I was aware that Ashlyn had a fairly popular line. I had seen a few of her items on Instagram, but I wasn’t aware of the extent of her line. 

Overall, her items are great. They are trendy, unique, and refreshing in a non-traditional sense–the clothing isn’t limited to articles simply featuring her name and number. 

Currently, her items are only available through her page in Sqor Sport’s Sqor Shop. And at first, this turned me off. I felt that Ashlyn having her own personal domain would be more advantageous for her as a brand. But, after browsing through Sqor Sports’ website, I realized how much foot traffic they get. They also carry other items from athletes like Odell Beckham, Jr., Peyton Manning, and Cristiano Ronaldo. This has to be helpful for her in terms of exposure and accessibility.

Ultimately, Ashlyn’s offbeat and eclectic line remains as one of the best among the four and receives a final grade of an A.   

 

Final Grade: A

 

Ali Krieger

ak11_primary

Initial Grade: A

You have to give Ali Krieger credit. Her clothing line, available at AliKrieger.com, is always sold out. Always.

I joke that it’s harder to get her snapback than it was to buy tickets to Hamilton when the original cast was still intact.

I also obviously have a massive amount of respect and love that she is receptive to fan’s critiques, but at what point does the unavailability of her line become more inconvenient than exclusive? Her brand also only carries one hat, one T-shirt, and one cinch bag.

While all of these items are popular, I can’t give a higher final grade than a B for a line with only three items. Even if they are, apparently, topnotch.

 

Final Grade: B-

 

Hope Solo

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Initial Grade: B

 

I’m not sure if the recent events that have transpired around Hope make her ineligible for this article (I’m trying to stick to current and active players), but I’m going to include her because her line is still available through her website.

All in all, Hope’s clothing line seemed pretty traditional. Shirts and hoodies with her name, “Hope.”, are in the forefront of her website’s store. Even though this seems pretty standard, Hope does include other items that are more sentimental and amusing.

One of my personal favorites (that I didn’t realize was a thing!), is the #GetTheGoals T-Shirt. Any true Hope Solo fan knows this is a reference to a quote from her late grandmother, who was arguably the biggest national team fan in the country. Hope gets bonus points for this alone. But, in the long run, even though her line defied a few of my expectations, I can’t give her more than an A- for a clothing line that lacks a little excitement.

 

Final Grade: A-

 

Megan Rapinoe

rapinoe

Initial Grade: C

 

With the catchy hashtag of #BeYourBestYou, and a logo that is both simple and smart, I’m sure you’re wondering why I initially rated Megan Rapinoe’s clothing brand so low.

My reasoning is this: Social. Media. Spamming.

At first, I couldn’t handle it … “Made the Olympic Squad! #BeYourBestYou,” “Flying to Madrid! #BeYourBestYou,” “Getting my hair done! “BeYourBestYou,” “Tore my ACL! #BeYourBestYou.”

Okay, the last one clearly didn’t happen, but you get my point. Like those friends you have on Facebook who sell body wraps through pyramid scheme companies, I couldn’t help but feel that she has overcompensating for an under-performing clothing line.

One day, I finally took a leap and clicked one of her many posts on Twitter …  and guys … her clothes are actually kinda cool. I respect that not all of the items have her name plastered across the front. Most of them have her message: “Be Your Best You.” It may sound campy, but it carries a meaning that is universally understood. She also carries an assortment of items from tanks and tees to beanies and track jackets.

I also love that every item is unisex and can be worn by whatever gender you may be. So, ultimately, I’m going to apologize to Megan Rapinoe. I judged your clothing line pretty harshly, but then bought my husband and myself one of your tanks and we can’t deny that they are both very soft and very versatile in terms of appearance.

I am upgrading you to an A+.

 

Final Grade: A+

Around the World of WoSo: A weird week

Posted on by RJ Allen

Seattle Reign Captain Announces Retirement:

Keelin Winters has been captain of the NWSL club Seattle Reign since day one back in 2013 when the league began. She has been the heart and soul of this club without question. In her 85 appearances for the club, her role hasn’t necessarily been to score goals, but to create opportunities for her teammates. She does the little things right every game and has helped guide her team to two Shield titles and two trips to the NWSL championship. She’s been absolutely remarkable in her role and became one of the most consistent players in the league. The script couldn’t have been written any better for Winters-in her last professional game at Memorial Stadium this past weekend, she scored the game winning goal against Washington.  Winters’ representation has been nothing short of class both on and off the field. It’s been a pleasure watching her play and while I am sad to see her leave the game, Winters’ will continue to work for Pro Skills Soccer—a company she founded to assist youth and adult players in the Seattle area. The next chapter of her life will be of service, as she has plans to join the Kirkland Fire Department in January 2017.

NWSL Golden Boot Race Still Lively:

With one game left in the 2016 season, the Golden Boot winner has yet to be decided, a different race compared to last year where Washington’s Crystal Dunn ran away with it mid-season. Currently, four players are within reach to win the award. Leading the pack is Houston’s Kealia Ohai and WNY’s Lynn Williams each with 10, while tied at nine is WNY’s Jess McDonald and Portland’s Nadia Nadim. Ohai has been a on a tear the second half of the season, with all of her goals coming after July 9th, and in a total of nine games. Williams on the other hand has had a more complete season, scoring 10 goals in 17 appearances. McDonald and Nadim have also been a little more consistent than Ohai. But nonetheless, the Dash forward has been the best player in the second half of the season. So, who has the better chance of actually winning it? Ohai will be going against Seattle, a team that shut out the number one team in the league in Washington last week. It will be a tough task but certainly one that Ohai is capable of doing. Williams and McDonald will be going against the weakest team in Boston, but anything could happen and stopping two of the best forwards in the game doesn’t seem likely for the Breakers. Lastly, Nadim will be up against Sky Blue FC, a team that has given up the third most goals this season with 27. All of these players have the opportunity to go out and control their own destiny. Friendly reminder: The NWSL is on International break, so play will resume September 24th finishing the regular season.

Two Chicago Red Stars Down:

In a hard fought 0-0 draw last week in Kansas City, Chicago clinched a playoff spot but two players left the game with injury concern. First was Arin Gilliland in the ninth minute after a scramble for the ball near the sidelines left her clutching her ankle. Gilliland has been very solid for the Red Stars in her two years in the league. Starting 17 matches as a rookie in 2015 and starting in 19 matches this season. The defender has been a crucial part of the defense that has only allowed 19 goals. For Chicago’s sake, hopefully it’s not a serious injury and while her replacement Sarah Gorden has done reasonable in her limited minutes, no doubt Gilliland is a key piece to Chicago’s success. With any luck, she could return in the final regular game of the season against Washington. The second injury was to forward Stephanie McCaffrey in the 25th minute. Having played her first year and a half in Boston, McCaffrey was traded to Chicago mid way through the season. In her six games as a Red Star she has contributed with two goals. While most of Chicago’s goals have come from Christen Press and Sofia Huerta, McCaffrey provides the width and service needed for serious scoring opportunities. Coming in for her was Alyssa Mautz, a player who has been improving each year in the league since arriving in 2013 and became a starter in 2014. Mautz is more than capable of filling the role for the remainder of the way, should McCaffrey not be available. But the concern is do these two injuries disrupt the chemistry of the team going forward? Can they go deep into the playoffs without these two out? We will find out in two weeks when play continues.

UVA Loses to Georgetown:

After winning its first seven games of the year, Virginia is no longer undefeated. The number two team Virginia played to a 3-2 loss this weekend to a surprising Georgetown team that’s ranked 20th. This was the first regular season non-conference loss since 2012 (lost to Penn State) for UVA.  The good news for UVA is that it was the last non-conference match of the season. This one started out great for UVA, leading by two goals after nine minutes of play, but seemed to hit a wall the rest of the game. The Hoyas came storming back with three unanswered goals in the first half to stun the Cavs. It’s certainly an impressive feat when in the previous seven games UVA had allowed zero goals. The defense was bound to collapse at some point, but I didn’t have Georgetown winning this game at all—and not in that fashion. The Hoyas scored its first goal a few minutes after UVA scored its last. In the 14th minute Taylor Pak hit a lovely ball from distance to give her team life. That was all they needed. The tying goal came by way of Chloe Knott, who capitalized on a mistake by the Cavs and beat the keeper 1v1 to level.  The game winning goal in the 38th minute was constructed all by Rachel Corboz (Who was named to our Player to Watch List before the season started). Corboz hit a beautiful free kick from 25 yards out and into the net to give her team a very convincing win. For her effort, Corboz was awarded the Big East Offensive Player of the Week for the third time this season. Up next for UVA is Virginia Tech on Friday while Georgetown faces George Washington on Thursday.

Manchester City Women Close to Title:

Last weekend, City beat Arsenal Ladies to improve to 38 points and move one step closer to the Super League Title. The only other serious contender is Chelsea, who is sitting in second place with 31 points. They defeated Reading to keep themselves in the race for another week.  Ironically the next match is on September 25 against City, so if they win, City will have to wait to celebrate the Title.  It will be a tough task for City. Chelsea has the likes of Hedvig Lindahl (GK-SWE), England star midfielder Karen Carney, Eniola Aluko (F-ENG), Fran Kirby (F-ENG) and Gemma Davison (F-ENG). All nine teams in the league have quality squads, but City might have the most complete. Led by a handful of England’s finest in Karen Bardsley (GK), Lucy Bronze (D), Captain Steph Houghton (D), Jill Scott (M) and Toni Dugan (F). It’s easy to see why they are on top. They also have Ireland’s young talent on defense in Megan Campbell and the American midfielder you might recognize in Daphne Corboz, (the sister of Georgetown Hoya Rachel Corboz). I don’t gamble, but if I did, I would put my money on Manchester to win its first title in club history by beating Chelsea.

NCAA College Cup Moved Out of NC:

On Monday it was announced that the NCAA Women’s College Cup will not be played in North Carolina. The main reason is a legitimate one, and backed by the NCAA President Mark Emmert, is due to the anti-LGBT laws that are currently in place. In his statement, Emmert made it clear that it was a decision that needed to be made, saying this: “We believe in providing a safe and respectful environment at our events and are committed to providing the best experience possible for college athletes, fans and everyone taking part in our championships.”

The four factors that played a part in removing the College Cup and are as follows:

  • NC laws invalidate any local law that treats sexual orientation as a protected class, or has a purpose to prevent discrimination against LGBT individuals.
  • A statewide law in NC that prohibits anyone using the restroom of the gender not on birth certificate, regardless of gender identity.
  • NC law provides legal protections for government officials to refuse services to the LGBT community.
  • Five states (New York, Minnesota, Washington, Vermont and Connecticut) prohibit travel to NC for public employees and representatives of public institutions, which could include student-athletes and campus athletics staff.

Six other events will be relocated as well; Men’s and Women’s DIII Soccer Championships, 2017 DI Men’s Basketball first/second Round, 2017 DI Women’s Golf Regional, 2017 Men’s and Women’s DIII Tennis Championships, 2017 Women’s DI Lacrosse Championship and 2017 DII Baseball Championship. Without question, this was the right decision for the NCAA and the Board of Governors to make. Anyone who has a moral compass should be perfectly ok with these relocations.

Wambach Drug Admission Highlights Problem with Anti-Doping Practices

Posted on by RJ Allen

News broke yesterday that Abby Wambach, whose memoir Forward was released today, had abused alcohol and prescription drugs for years, including during her time as a member of the US Women’s National Team. In an interview with the Associated Press, Wambach, arrested earlier this year on a DUI, came clean on her history of abusing vodka, Vicodin, Ambien, and Adderall. That arrest, during which she admitted to having used cocaine and marijuana in her twenties, was a welcome wake-up call for the ex-player and current ESPN analyst, who said that she had been “stubborn” and “in denial” up until that point. It was the public shame and humiliation that forced her to confront her addictions and offered her an avenue to sobriety, having entered into a diversion and treatment program for first offenders after entering a guilty plea in court.

Certainly, the memoir, a chapter of which is titled “Addict”, will offer more information into the troubled personal life behind one of soccer’s greatest players, but the admission from Wambach does raise several questions about international soccer and drug abuse. The biggest is how one of the best known names in soccer — men’s or women’s — was able to hide an addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs for years. As two-time Olympic Gold medalist (2004, 2012) and 2015 Women’s World Cup winner, Wambach should have been subjected to rigorous testing by a number of agencies, including the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the US and International Olympic Committees (USOC and IOC, respectively), and FIFA itself.

So why is this the first time we’re hearing of it?

The problem, or at least, the answer to that question, is that of the drugs mentioned, Adderall (amphetamine-dextroamphetamine) is only prohibited during competition while Vicodin (hydrocodone) and Ambien are on WADA’s list of permitted substances.  Cocaine and marijuana, of course, are prohibited at all times. The drug testing that athletes undergo focuses on performance-enhancement or the use of illegal controlled substances. Prescription drugs that do not noticeably enhance an athlete’s performance and that might reasonably be provided by a physician, whether used legally or illegally, are not disavowed by the bodies responsible for keeping professional and elite athletes, and athletics, clean. Their focus is doping, not necessarily drug or medication usage.

The legal abuse of prescription drugs is not unknown to soccer, unfortunately. In 2012, FIFA’s Chief Medical Officer Jiri Dvorak announced that the use and abuse of painkillers was prevalent in the sport, after asking team doctors for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa to “provide a list of medications which players were taking prior to each game.” This study revealed that the use of such medications were being used by up to 39 percent of athletes participating in the 2010 World Cup; in the 2014 World Cup the number was up to 67 percent. In late 2015, a report which Dvorak co-authored that was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggested that between 2002 and 2014, up to 69 percent of adult male players reported using prescribed medication prior to each match.

However, that same BJSM article indicated that the rates of prescription drug usage during the Women’s World Cups were even higher. While 69 percent of adult male players used prescription medication during World Cups between 2002 and 2014, 71.5 percent of female athletes reported using (non-contraceptive) medications during Women’s World Cups across the same period, 2003-2007.  Also revealed in these reports is a trend that medication use increases with age, as youth teams surveyed had significantly lower reported usage of prescription medications. And while this seems to just be common sense, it does highlight the possibility that the roots of addiction by elite athletes to prescription drugs may extend all the way back to their use during youth; as the body acquires more and more damage over time, increased therapeutic usage may be required to continue performing at high levels.

None of this, of course excuses the misuse of prescription (and non-prescription) drugs by Wambach. However, it may help not only to explain it, but to  highlight the use and abuse of legal medications in professional sports. These medications, while not enhancing performance according to the criteria laid out by WADA and the IOC generally, do enhance and prolong an athlete’s ability to perform on the field at all, extending an athlete’s professional life while also possibly increasing the long-term damage of existing injuries to their body, and masking — or even causing — more serious damage to their long-term health.  As a 2009 study on the use of prescription drugs in female and youth athletes noted, “The use of substances that are not on the doping list — so-called legal drugs — also needs to be considered in relation to moral, ethical, and health aspects.”

The issue here is not that Abby Wambach has admitted to using legal drugs such as Vicodin, Adderall, and Ambien, in addition to alcohol, during her US Women’s National Team career.

The issue is that the use of these medications and substances are allowed to fly under the radar of national and international bodies dedicated to the “clean” sports.

The problem is that, so far, they’re not considered a problem at all.

Louisville: The Next NWSL City?

Posted on by RJ Allen

Recently, it was unofficially confirmed that LAFC would receive an NWSL expansion team in 2018. With this announcement, the conversation is now beginning to shift to other cities that are deserving of a team. I decided to make a case for a city that I believe to be extremely deserving, but no one seems to be talking about: Louisville, Kentucky.

On the surface, Louisville has an exceptional amount of potential to become a great soccer city. The largest city in the Commonwealth has dozens of youth soccer programs, the best fan base in college sports, and one the most successful teams in the USL, Louisville City FC.

In their first two seasons, Louisville City has been absolutely killing it in attendance. Even their lowest attended games of the season have been higher than 80% of the other team’s averages. I had the pleasure of speaking with Amanda Duffy, president of Louisville City FC, to get her take on what has made Lou City so successful.

In the interview, Duffy explains that Louisville is an incredible town for college sports, but that this market exudes a want and a need for something more than college athletics. Being a graduate of the University of Louisville, I’ve seen the gravitas that college sports hold in Louisville. But even with a program as lucrative as U of L’s, you get a sense that the city is itching for a professional team, and Louisville City seems to be alleviating that itch.

An NWSL team in this city would be strongly supported by this community. Louisville residents take great pride in their city, more so than any other place I’ve ever lived. When Jennifer Lawrence was first nominated for an Oscar for Winter’s Bone, you would have thought the entire city had imploded. When U of L’s quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was drafted to the Minnesota Vikings, his jersey sales were at a surprising 4th overall amongst rookies. Even though there isn’t evidence that proves Louisville fans bought his jersey more than Vikings fans, it’s a solid coincidence that he came from the most money-making school in collegiate athletics. Thus, I believe that any fandom created here in Louisville will be automatically elevated beyond the sport and become something more. 

Of course, Louisville isn’t perfect. There are still a few key components that the city needs to facilitate a team. The NWSL team will obviously need a place to play. Right now, Louisville City plays at a baseball stadium in downtown that they share with the Louisville Bats. Bringing another team in to play at that same stadium would be virtually impossible given the amount of games already scheduled between the two teams. But, there is another option in the soccer stadium used for University of Louisville games. The Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium is a brand new, 5,300 capacity stadium that was built for the men’s and women’s soccer team. (It’s interesting to note that the University of Louisville leads the nation in total attendance for their home soccer games.) But, just as the issue with Slugger Field, scheduling might prove to be an issue here as well. The only solution here would be to wait to bring in an NWSL team when Louisville City (hopefully) builds a soccer specific stadium. This would allow for both teams to have their own home field to grow around.

So, Louisville will not be getting an NWSL team in 2018 or 2019 or maybe even 2020. But, if Louisville City builds a soccer specific stadium and chooses to vie for an NWSL expansion team in the future, I have complete confidence that the Derby city team will be success.

Until then, I will settle on buying season tickets for the LAFC expansion team.

Christen Press, are you coming or what?

Catching Up with Olympic Bronze Medalist, Stephanie Labbé

Posted on by RJ Allen

Going to training and being able to speak with the players afterward is something that I value and appreciate greatly. It’s not every day that you get to have a conversation with an Olympian, let alone a bronze medalist.

It may be her first year in the league, but Stephanie Labbé has made quite the splash here in DC. We at Backline Soccer do enjoy a good defense, and that starts with a great keeper.

I had a few questions for Labbé, and she was kind enough to answer them for me.

Backline Soccer (BS): With knowing that Kelsey Wys had dealt with the same situation last season, with Ashlyn Harris at the World Cup, and knowing the depth of this team, did it make it easier to go and concentrate on Canada before the break?

Stephanie Labbe (SL): For sure, I mean Kelsey is incredible, she’s always been ready. It’s always been a battle between us, nothing has ever been set in stone and we challenge each other all the time in training and I think that it’s a really good partnership for us. Whether it’s her or me in goal, I don’t think the team misses a beat. We both bring something different to the team, and it wasn’t even a thought in my mind.

BS: Canada was the only team that repeated as medalist in Rio. Does that give you a little bit of confidence going into the next cycle, knowing that it’s something that is not out of reach?

SL: Going in, there were doubts on us, and the team that won in London was a different team, and that was a team that got success through team connection. It wasn’t necessarily a team that out-performed other teams; they had the connection and that energy of never giving up, and they fought and battled through games and got results.

This time around going in, this was a much different team, we had so much more youth, and it was a different blend of youth and experience. We went out and out played top 5, top 6, teams on a consistent basis. For us to do that and do it back to back, it solidifies our spot in the world and shows we’re a top team and we’re a team to beat. I think it changes the mentality of Canadians and Canada soccer and proves that it wasn’t a fluke and we’ve earned this and we earned our spot on the top stage.

BS: How was your prep different from the World Cup, going into the Olympics as Canada’s number 1, especially after Erin McLeod went down very close to the Olympics?

SL: My individual prep wasn’t too much different. Going into the World Cup, it was a battle for who was going to play, going in, and I had that mentality the whole time. Going into this, yeah it was a bit different, but at the same time Sabrina and I still had to battle. Nothing was ever set in stone, once Erin was injured it was never my spot, it was something that Sabrina and I battled until the end with. I’m thankful for that because I think that that connection and that battle and competition that we had between each other just made us both so much stronger and pushed each other to new levels. I think that’s the reason why I was able to step out there with full confidence, knowing that I worked my butt off to earn that. And, at the same time, I had the confidence to go out and play well because she pushed me to be the best me.

BS: Who, after you, was the first person that you let hold your bronze medal?

SL: First person was my goalkeeper coach. Our staff don’t get medals, so we made sure that all of our staff got to feel the medal, because they’re just as much a part of it, and they earned it just as much as we did. So my goalkeeper coach got my medal. And when I got home, my mom, she had it.

BS: With clinching playoffs on Saturday, does it make it a little bit different, leading in and knowing you made the playoffs, so now you can work on the little things that maybe need to be tweaked, heading into the playoffs, over the next couple of games?

SL: For sure. [It] definitely takes a little bit of weight off your shoulders. That’s the first goal, to make playoffs. Now we have a new goal, and that is to make sure we stay in first and clinch that first spot. Of course, like I said, there is that weight off your shoulders of making the playoffs, so you know you’re in now, and now it’s about fine tuning the little things so we’re ready for the semifinal.

A Chat with Louisville City FC President: Amanda Duffy

Posted on by RJ Allen

I recently had the chance to talk with Amanda Duffy, a former professional player who is now the President of Louisville City FC. We spoke about how she became involved with the club, the success of the club in such a short amount of time, and her opinions on the possibility of an NWSL team for Louisville in the future.

Backline Soccer: First and foremost, congratulations on such a successful start for Louisville City.

Amanda Duffy: Thank you. Yeah, it’s been a great start so far. Have you been to a game yet?

BS: I have not been able to make it back for a game. Every time I go back to visit, it has been in the offseason, but I have been following you guys since your inception, and I know a few diehard fans who have told me the atmosphere is just insane.

AD: It is. It’s been pretty neat. I’m just thankful and appreciative that I’ve been a part of it from essentially day one, before we ever played our first game. To know how far the fan base has come from back in the fall/winter of 2014, when it was this idea that people couldn’t get their head around. Like, they got pro sports and pro soccer, but they didn’t necessarily understand what the USL was and they definitely didn’t understand playing soccer in a baseball stadium. They didn’t know how that was going to look or feel. And for most, at least from my standpoint, the supporter groups have created this environment that is, in my opinion if not the best, one of the best systems in our league. I think even if you pull NASL into the picture, I think we just present an environment that is pretty special. I think that as the locals come to Slugger Field – pretty much everyone has been to a baseball game there – they come with an expectation. At least in the first year, people had obviously heard that it was different than baseball, but it was an eye-opening experience to them. It was very engaging to see all of it sort of evolve over the last two years.

BS: Oh of course. So, first of all, how did you get involved with Louisville City?

AD: Well, I worked at USL prior to coming to Louisville. I had been there about 7 ½ years. When I first got to the USL I was in a position – well I stopped playing in 2006 – and in 2007 I got to the USL. I had done an internship [with the USL] to finish my master’s, so I had already made some connections. When I finished playing, I reached back out and said, “Okay I’m ready to start doing real work.” The USL was in the process of expanding its headquarters and operation and personnel, so I started my first year in a kind of “catch all” position. I was working with the pro league, the adult amateur league, helping a little bit with registration, helping a little bit with our referee education … So it was just a catch all. At the time, it wasn’t exactly what I wanted. I had gone back thinking and hoping that I wanted to be a part of the women’s game. But in hindsight now, I’m so appreciative of that because it educated me on all areas of the game. And as I continue to move through different areas of the USL, I’m just better educated by all of it. So, that position morphed into Director of Operations for USL Pro, which at the time was USL First Division and USL Second Division before the group split and NASL was formed. So, I was part of the operations with the pro league at the time, and when the leagues came together after the group split that did form NASL … We put USL I and USL II together to form USL Pro. It was at that time that I transitioned over to the women’s side with the W-League and I became Senior Director of the W-League. I spent the next three years there, overseeing the women’s strategic direction and growth on that side. So then at that point in 2014, Louisville City was announced in June. I knew I had a great relationship with Phil Rawlins and Orlando City and they had ownership in this franchise, since it was a transfer franchise from Orlando City. So with that connection and then a second connection with the first president, my predecessor John Bucholtz. He had worked for a couple of different USL Pro teams while I was at the league, so he was someone that I had worked with from a league-team type relationship and when he was named president here, that was just another sort of warm relationship that made me comfortable in entertaining the idea of considering an opportunity here when they reached out. So, I actually became as the vice president of operations in 2014 and then December of that year there was a change in the leadership. I was moved into the GM role and a year later named president of the club.

BS: Wow. That’s amazing.

AD: It is amazing. It’s one of those things that when you’re in it every day, you don’t really take that step back and look at it from the outside in and realize, you know not just me, but what everyone here has really accomplished in such a short period of time. And for me I came into this side thinking at that point that my professional experience had been all on the league side. I went from player to working in the league headquarters. I wanted to get more experience working in a team front office. Just to have a better understanding of everything. I certainly needed to and certainly wanted to and I also just like working for a team. I’m a competitor. I’m an athlete. And so in a league position you come from a very neutral position. Whereas with a team right now, you know, I’m fighting for this team and this organization. Well, not necessarily fighting, but speaking for and pushing this one organization. Which is different and it’s neat to be in that position.

BS: Right. On the topic of this specific team in Louisville … What do you think makes this team thrive in Louisville? And also, why do you think Louisville is such an amazing soccer city to facilitate this team?

AD: Well I think one would be, we’ve put a competitive team on the field from season one. Obviously, we are just in our second season right now. We just have been competitive from our very first game. We have a great head coach, we have a great coaching staff, great players. Our coaching staff have put in countless hours in terms of finding the right mix of talent and personality and character that all blend well and nicely to make sure that we have competitors on the field and people that are going to represent the team and get into the community in a way that is going to represent the club in the right way. I think putting a competitive team on the field right away was important and has helped us. Part of that, was that we sort of had this expectation because this franchise was a transfer from Orlando City. The success that club had in USL was obviously impressive. For that franchise to move here, we already had a high bar that was set and had an expectation of what we wanted to do and accomplish and we have done that so far in the first year and a half that we have been competing. I also think this is a unique market. It’s not one that I’m from but I’ve kind of learned this as I go … It’s a market that I feel has wanted something more. It’s very much a college town and you could even say that it’s a college state with the two major universities [University of Louisville and University of Kentucky]. But, I do feel like there is a want and a need for something more than just the university athletics. And with soccer, it introduces an avenue for people to support something that has nothing to do with college athletics. It’s in the neutral ground of pro sports. We are in the city. Our players are here under contract with us. They are based here. They live here nine months out of the year. We are engaged in this city and the community. We are bringing a different type of entertainment that the city has wanted at a professional level but hasn’t had in a long time.

BS: Yes. That is one of the reason why I think Louisville would make a great city for an NWSL team. I think the lack of pro teams in Louisville brings a much more concentrated and less saturated market in any team. And since the NWSL is looking to expand to 14 teams in the next 2-3 years, I feel like Louisville is the city that no one is really talking about, but was really a perfect market for a new team. Especially judging by the success of Louisville City.

AD: Yes.

BS: Now switching over to more of the women’s soccer side of things. Would you agree with me that Louisville would be a good place for an NWSL expansion team?

AD: I do think that this is a city where the support for the club would go beyond just our men’s professional team. I think our supporters are supporting the club and it just happens to be that right now we only have the men’s pro team, but we are building an environment and relationships with the community and with the city that the club is going to represent more. Our fans will support more than just the pro team when we are in the right position to expand our operation. Obviously right now, we are playing in a baseball stadium. The dates that we have, I mean, we just have such limited dates with the pro team, that it is not even realistic to start thinking about or even have a conversation about bringing any other team, whether its an NWSL team or a U-23 team. It’s not realistic because we don’t have a place to play. But, we’ve started that conversation with the stadium – a soccer specific stadium – recently. I’m not sure if you saw, but a study came out that supported the need and the readiness to build a soccer specific stadium here in Louisville. So it’s now sorta back on us to make that happen. And as that conversation progresses and we know the direction, obviously that there is a stadium, you know, filling that with the 20 games for the men’s pro team, then we are going to need to look to find other avenues to bring events to that stadium. Then, that would be a perfect opportunity to start having a conversation about an NWSL team or other teams that could utilize the stadium that that it’s not sitting empty.

BS: Right. Because right now you guys are, if I’m not mistaken, you guys are selling out almost every home game correct?

AD: Well, when the team was announced the ownership said that the official capacity is going to be 8,000. The official capacity of Slugger Field is 13,100 approximately. When we first started our ticket sales all of the outfield [was unavailable]. We weren’t selling tickets out there because we thought, you know, those are just terrible seats and you aren’t going to be able to see the game and you’re going to be too far away. But after our first game we realized that those were some of the best seats in the stadium. So for us right now, we have access to all 13,000 and we want to consider a sell-out that 13,000 mark. But, that is where the 8,000 number comes from which we have surpassed many times this year.

BS: That makes so much more sense, because I saw that your highest attendance this year was over 10,000 and I was just like, “That is so insane, how?”

AD: Yeah, that is where the 8,000 number comes from.

BS: Okay. Got it. So, just from your experience being the president of a team in Louisville, what are some hurdles you think there would be – obviously, in the future, if you had a new stadium – in sustaining a professional women’s team in the Louisville community?

AD: In my opinion – and this comes from running the W-League at the USL for the years that I did, and playing a year in Sweden – I got to see a different structure of women’s soccer. It was just one club. You had men’s team and the women’s team and the youth underneath it. It’s not the exact European model, but it was a full developmental system from youth all the way up to a pro team. And in seeing that I saw how it corresponded with fans of the club coming out to support all genders and levels. It was a different support system, versus here where you go to support a specific men’s team. And if it is just an independent women’s team, aren’t they getting the same level of support. In my opinion, having the infrastructure of an existing men’s professional club lends itself better to a successful women’s professional team. Mostly because you have more of an infrastructure to support women’s teams because you have more of the revenue sources coming in. Because when you’re talking about a women’s pro team on its own, it’s a lot harder for us because people are going to support the crest, they’re going to support Louisville City, and if a women’s pro team is a part of that then I think our fans can come in and support that. We have the front office infrastructure to really push our message and push the players and give them an identity for a women’s pro team in the same way that we can push a men’s pro team all representing “the crest” if you would. So I think for me, an important part of the growth of the women’s team is to really utilize the infrastructure that exists with men’s professional teams, just because you have a more stable environment to work out of.

BS: I totally agree with you. I mean, the top three teams in attendance in the NWSL are the three teams who are partnered with an MLS team.

AD: Correct.

BS: And even if you just think about the player and their willingness to go to to clubs that already have top facilities and staff and things that you might not be able to acquire having an independent team and so on and so forth. So, yes, I agree with you there.

AD: Great.

BS: So, my last question is, hypothetically, in the future, if you had to make a case on why an NWSL team should come to Louisville – if it was solely in your hands – what would a short pitch for the city be?

AD: Well it’s not so much a pitch, I think we have to look at our business and make sure the business that we are today is a stable one. Adding more programming and stuff to our business operation, we need to make sense to ultimately build stability and viability for the long term part of it.

BS: Of course.

AD: And I think the stadium is such a key piece to that entire conversation. Because we are going to look, assuming that we continue to move forward, and if in several years we are playing in our own stadium in Louisville, we are going to need to look to find other events and other opportunities to fill dates for the stadium. And I think from that business standpoint and if we are still in a healthy business state, growing and expanding goes underneath the men’s pro team and going into the women’s side. I think it will make sense for us to further engage in the community and as a professional soccer organization to have both genders represented and fill in underneath with a development structure to feed into those pro teams.

 

Spirit Players Release Statement About National Anthem Controversy

Posted on by RJ Allen

After a controversial decision by Spirit owner Bill Lynch that had the National Anthem played before the athletes came onto the field this past Wednesday, citing Megan Rapinoe’s “hijacking” of the game’s focus and potential disrespect toward the flag, the players of the Washington Spirit have released a statement today.

Addressing the NWSL community, the statement expresses their concern over the negative light Lynch’s action has brought on both the team and the league and cites the diverse backgrounds and beliefs of the people who make up the Spirit organization, saying:

“We respect our owner’s freedom to share his views and we understand his intentions. But as a team we don’t necessarily agree with those opinions or the actions taken on Wednesday evening.”

The statement continues: “We believe in freedom of speech and expression as long as it’s respectfully demonstrated, even when we don’t agree on every issue.”

In short, the players of the Washington Spirit have done exactly what their owner should have, acknowledge both that they do not necessarily support the actions of Rapinoe or, in this case, Lynch, but that they respectfully recognize an individual’s constitutional right to the expression of free speech.

The letter goes on to express that they regret their “historic accomplishment for the club” has been cast negatively in light of the owner’s action, but insists that their goal remains the same: to win the 2016 NWSL championship. Finally, they express their gratitude for the support of their fans and the Spirit Squadron and call for mutual respect and cooperation as they seek to secure home field advantage this weekend in the playoffs.

Altogether, the statement is well-written and very politic, and exactly what should have been seen from their owner. Hopefully, Bill Lynch will take inspiration from his group of talented, conscientious, and respectful players in the future.