Author: RJ Allen

Fit, Focused, and Black Lives: Crystal Dunn Preps for Rio

Posted on by RJ Allen

Much can change in the course of year. No one knows that any better than Crystal Dunn.

Last July the US women’s national team celebrated their third FIFA Women’s World Cup after 16 years, it was a momentous occasion that Dunn just narrowly missed. In a post-game celebratory interview, Abby Wambach still praised Dunn’s efforts even though she was cut from the final roster.

After missing out on the World Cup, Dunn utilized the NWSL as platform for herself. She went on a scoring spree, netting 15 goals for the Washington Spirit helping lead them into the NWSL playoffs for a semi-final match. She was awarded the NWSL golden boot winner for 2015. Her outstanding play led to more national team call-ups for the US victory tour, CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship, and the She Believes Cup.

She has shown she is ready to make the leap onto the international stage that is the Olympics.

Backline Soccer was able to discuss the Olympics, NWSL, and current social issues with Dunn before an Olympic friendly in Chicago. Rio is right around the corner, and with a roster yet to be named, Dunn remains focused on her Olympic dream despite the headlines around.

Backline Soccer: Can you talk to us about preparing for the Olympics in Rio in the middle of the NWSL season?

Crystal Dunn: “A lot of us here are 9 games deep in the league, it’s a lot of games. I think coming into this camp we all knew our legs might not even fully be where they need to be just because of the season we’ve had so far. Surprisingly, in the first few days we   were here we just clicked instantly, and sometimes that doesn’t happen at camp. You know we’re playing all over the field, and with different teams, and different players. Sometimes when you come into camp it’s so hard to get readjusted with everything, but this 9-day camp has been great so far. We’ve clicked, like I said. We’re all just so focused on the goal at hand and ready to have these sendoff games so we can be prepared for Rio.”

BS: It’s amazing what can happen in just a year. Going from the World Cup and falling short of making the roster there. Fast forward to this year with you being on the cusp of Rio. To be honest, you’re looking like you’ve got a pretty good shot to make the roster. Does the NWSL help play a part in keeping you fit and prepared for international tournaments?

CD: “For me, the league is the most intense league, I think. Just with the athleticism that’s in this league, you’re not really catching a break for 90 minutes. I think its prepared me really well. I feel fit. I feel healthy. I’ve been playing against really great players in the league, which has always prepared me for coming into national camps.”

BS: So, last season you went off on a scoring spree in the NWSL. We’re currently at the season midway point, and you have had some awesome assists. However, there may be some out there who think you’re not where you should be in terms of goals. Have you had to adjust your play a bit in preparation for Rio?

CD: “You know a lot of people ask how do you feel this year as opposed to that year, and it’s crazy to think that before last season – it’s not like I was on the radar for goal scoring. So I think that people have a way of kind of twisting what they think they know about the game and things like that. But I’ve also never had 4 assists in a season, you know? So, if they were to ask what’s this season like compared to last, I’d say I think I’m doing pretty well. Just for the fact that I’ve probably set a new goal now. I don’t have to be that person that’s going to score goals, but if I’m making other players around me look better, and play better then I think that’s exactly what I need to be doing. As a teammate I need to just wait for my moment and if a goal comes for me, then a goal comes. But at the end of the day if my team is winning then I would never sit and pout in a corner. [laughs]”

BS : Well said! Finally, I want to touch on something before we close. The other day Sydney Leroux put out a really awesome post on her blog, touching on some of the really sad things that have been going on the few days..

CD: “Oh YES.”

BS: Do you have any words of consolement? Or any words of advice for young girls of color who maybe woke up this morning feeling unsafe or uncomfortable in their own skin?

CD: “Yes. You know it’s crazy that all this is going on. I think not many things have been said about it. I think that’s the kind of disappointing stage. I think it’s crazy that when Orlando happened everyone kind of took a deep breath and was running to everyone’s call, and I feel like that’s great. I was one of those people that was like, this is a terrible thing that has happened in our country, we all need to be unified in this. But I think that the shootings that have been going on have been going on for years. I feel like people are now not even still waking up about the situation. Just as a Black woman on the national team I feel like this is something that needs to be said. You know, there’s not many of us that have been on this team. I always talk to Syd about these things. She’ll ask ‘Crys how do you feel?’ and I’ll say ‘I feel the same way as you.’ It’s just that I don’t know what can be done. I don’t know what words to truly say. I don’t want to make this about race because that happens a lot of the time. But I do think that the issues that are going on are a lot deeper than what people really think. So you know, it’s upsetting knowing that not that many people want to speak up on this issue that’s going on in our country.”

(Christen Press and Crystal Dunn | Source: Sandra Herrera @SandHerrera_)

The US women’s national team faced another Olympic bound team, South Africa on July 9. Some predicted an uneven match with the number 1 ranked FIFA team going up against the 52 ranked FIFA team. The game ended with a 1-0 score line with USA as the victors. Crystal Dunn scored the lone goal.

 

*This article was published back in July 2016 on Midfield Press. The Author has granted republishing on Backline Soccer*

Catching up with Christine Nairn

Posted on by RJ Allen

Christine Nairn, an Annapolis, Maryland, native, is no stranger to the Maryland SoccerPlex – the place she calls home on Saturday evenings. She not only grew up watching her brothers play there, but she herself played there as a youth player before going to Penn State and then being drafted by the Seattle Reign. She made her way back home two years ago, and I was lucky enough to catch up with her after training this week.

Backline Soccer (BS): With the sell out this Saturday, as one of three “hometown girls” on the team and having watched your brothers play here, how does it make you feel to see the growth and support for this team?

Christine Nairn (CN): It’s awesome for the growth of the game, like you said I’ve grown up playing here since I was like nine or ten or even younger going to watch my brothers play. For it to come full circle and to play in front of family and friends and former coaches, it’s a testament to this organization, to women’s soccer in general, to invest in the young players, the homegrown players as they call it around the US. We’re excited for the sell out and hopefully it’s the first of many for this year.

BS: With bringing in more help for Crystal Dunn up front, how does that help your play in the midfield, knowing you have a little bit more than last year where it was pretty much just Dunn over the top, knowing you have a little more space to work with?

CN: Crystal will always be one of the main targets for our team, I think she’s a force to be reckoned with. She’s shown why she was the MVP of the league last year and she carried us on her back the whole season. Crystal’s in a little different of a role this year, she’s getting in a little different spots on the field, different positions, so she’s still getting used to that. We’re still learning each other’s tendencies, the good thing about this team is that I don’t think we’ve reached our potential yet, each game we just focus on getting a little bit better than last game. I think, as we get better as a team, it won’t be the Crystal Dunn Show anymore, as much as it was fun to watch that show – if she wants to score 17 goals this year, by all means she can do it again, we wouldn’t hate that – but the more people zero in on Crystal, the more people are open, whether that’s on the outside, me in the midfield, or anywhere. Like Krieger said before, the depth of this team is so special, I think that even when the National Team girls are gone we have young players who have gotten minutes early on in the season and can step up and perform.

BS: Playing in the W-League the last two offseasons, what are some differences you’ve seen between the two leagues?

CN: Australia is so fun and every time someone asks about the Australian league, all the players have a smile on their face, it’s just an awesome time to go to Australia and play.  To keep fresh and clean on the ball and continue to stay fight is a positive of that and it works well with our season.  It’s still growing as a league and Australian soccer is getting bigger and bigger each year, I think that’s because the Matildas are getting better and better each year. I think they’re another force to be reckoned with this Olympic year, they’re going to be a dark horse team many teams might count them out. If you’ve seen the way they’ve been playing…

BS: They blew through qualifying.

CN: Yeah, they blew through qualifying and really gave the US a test in the World Cup last year and I think they’re going to surprise a lot of teams in the Olympics. If they can continue to produce and put on a game and attract more people, I think the W-League will continue to improve each and every year and I think that’s super important for their country as a sport and for their National Team for years to come.

BS: Going into week nine, how do you feel the tone within the team has changed or grown since week one and the outlook going forward?

CN: It’s probably gotten a little bit better with each and every day, like I said getting more comfortable with our starters and our players coming off the bench, getting into our roles and really embracing them. Never being satisfied. If I’m not starting, I’m going to accept my role, but I’m not going to be happy about it. I’m going to continue to push my teammates because I want what’s best for them and what’s best for this team is what’s best for me. If we can continue to push each other and get better each and every day, the sky’s the limit. One thing that I think that has stayed the same is our standard, we hold ourselves to such a high standard here, whether that’s Krieger getting on us or Crystal or D or Shelina or any of the Canadians. They keep the standard so high and say “it’s not good enough” and when those players leave, our main National Team players leave, there are other players stepping up and going into those roles. If we can keep that standard throughout the year I think we’ll be fine for the year and continue to get three points on the road and at home.

BS: Okay, hardest question I’m going to ask you, I’m a Penn State fan, what is your favorite creamery flavor?

CN: Peachy Paterno, with blue and white sprinkles. On my visit there, I ordered rainbow sprinkles and they corrected me like, “we only have blue and white sprinkles” and I was like, “Okay, sorry.” From that moment on I was like “Peachy Paterno – blue and white sprinkles.”

BS: You can actually order it online, they have coolers that you can put five half gallons in and a larger cooler.

CN: I didn’t know you could order it online, that’s determination. If there is one school that would ship their ice cream, it would be Penn State.

“Don’t be Afraid to Dream” An interview with Raquel Rodriguez

Posted on by RJ Allen

After seven weeks, the NWSL is just a few games away from the half season mark. Some of the rookies of NWSL 2016 draft class have seen considerable playing time in these last several weeks. One prominent rookie that stands out is Raquel ‘Rocky’ Rodriguez.

For those unfamiliar with Rodriguez there’s a few soccer tidbits you should know. She has been playing with the Costa Rican National Team since she was a teenager, and in 2015 helped the team reach the FIFA World Cup for the first time in team history. During a group stage match against Spain, Rodriguez made history again, netting the team’s first ever World Cup goal. After the international tourney, Rodriguez returned to Penn State University and helped the Nittany Lions win their first ever National Title in the NCAA College Cup. Penn State defeated Duke 1-0, with Rodriguez scoring the game’s victory goal.

After being selected 2nd overall in the NWSL draft, Rodriguez has settled into the league. When Sky Blue FC visited Chicago to face the Red Stars, she spoke with us about a few of her favorite things: Soccer and ice cream.

Backline Soccer (BS): I want to congratulate you on your first season with NWSL. How do you feel you are adapting to the league?

Raquel Rodríguez (RR): Thank You! I feel like I’m doing ok. I really like the tone that every match you don’t really know who is going to win. There’s differences in a lot of other leagues, and I think that Sky Blue is really forming. We’re a bit of a new group with a lot of rookies and we’re growing throughout trainings and such, but I think we are establishing elements that a team needs – but that takes time. I think that we’re on the right path, and as the season goes on the idea is to always improve and I think we are demonstrating that.

BS: You’re young but you have a lot of experiences playing with Costa Rica. You’re a Mac Hermann Trophy winner and won a National Title with Penn State. Why did you choose to play in the NWSL instead of a club or league in Europe?

RR:  Well the main reason was that at the time I hadn’t completed my college career, and I had taken time for training and NWSL is perfect for that because its only six months a year and after the season I can use that time for international training. I also had certain feelings about it because I am more familiar with the United States as opposed to overseas. There were all types of things that came into play, right? And I am just really grateful, first, to God for opening the doors for Sky Blue, and second to Sky Blue for confiding and believing in me.

BS: Can you speak a bit about your experiences in the World Cup with Costa Rica?

RR: It was a very unique experience. I always say it was a dream come true. Especially because it was the first World Cup for Costa Rica participated in. It was very symbolic of many years of fighting for women’s football in Costa Rica. I am sure that we’re not the only country fighting for more popularity and more support. But that World Cup I felt was the closing of a difficult chapter with ignorance towards women’s game in Costa Rica. I also felt it was the beginning of another chapter of growth, and development of women’s soccer. All in all, it was a very emotional time and amazing experience for all of us.

BS: Do you feel more support with the Costa Rican Soccer Federation after this World Cup?

RR: Yes, absolutely. I think the most important thing to come out of it was the communication aspect that has developed between the federation and the players. Ultimately, we appreciate that. We like to know what’s going on regarding the team, and they now do things they may not have done in the past, right? So I think that even the media coverage has now helped. Now they might talk to me or someone like me and report about it. Report about us. It’s no longer just about the Men’s side, it’s the Women’s side and many other sports as well. So after the World Cup I think it helped create some huge strides.

BS: You’ve have the chance to play with two National captains in your career. Shirley Cruz for Costa Rica, and now on Sky Blue FC, Christie Rampone for the United States. Can you speak about some of their differences or some things they have in common?

RR: Every captain, every leader, is different. They all have their own things. Shirley is a player very passionate, with a lot of courage, and a lot of heart. Those are trademarks of her play. She is the soul of the team she plays for. She’s the soul, the motor. With Christie, she gives you a sense of security just with her presence. She’s the kind of leader who has done a lot of good for the game. She’ll give you one on ones. She’ll observe someone, and grab them and give them some coaching. So to have her on the team is a privilege and great honor. It’s those kinds of examples I’m so grateful to God for.

BS: This question is for the Penn State fans. Do you have a favorite Penn State Creamery flavor?

RR: Ok, I have to say that I love ice cream! Out of all the deserts. I’m going to have to say just vanilla with Oreo. It’s my all-time favorite. You know, but I mean Penn State Creamery, gosh, I had several flavors. I don’t remember them [laughs] but that’s the main one. I can honestly eat any kind, all the time, milkshakes! All the time. But I can’t do that, got to try and keep and shape! [laughs]

BS: That’s so great, we had a writer who did an interview with Ali Krieger who asked the same question but Krieger said the mint chocolate chip. Since you’re Penn State player I had to ask too.

RR: Oh Yeah! Really? Oh the mint chocolate chip! Yeah, that’s sweet.

BS: I have a question for your family. Since the NWSL streams their games on You Tube, is it easy for your family and friends to catch you live and watch your games?

RR: Yes! I think that’s something for cool for my parents and everybody. They’re really happy supporting me and watching the games on the internet, on YouTube.

BS: Finally, do you have any words or advice for any young Latinas out there who maybe watch you in the games and are dreaming or striving to be where you are at this level?

RR: Yes. I don’t know about advice, But I always say to not be scared to dream. Because when I was growing up I had all these dreams and I didn’t always see how they could be possible. I knew that if I wanted to experience those dreams I had to first of all commit my ways to the Lord, because I knew that I wouldn’t, I couldn’t, be able to do it on my own. I just always prayed to god and trusted in my heart that he would have great plans for my life. Second of all just work hard. Do what we can do and when the opportunities come, just don’t be scared. There is always going to be nerves, or being afraid of going to the unknown, but it’s part of the risk we take. If you never take the risk, if you never take the step, you’re not every going to make your dreams come true. Just dare to dream. It doesn’t even have to be soccer. Just don’t be scared to dream.

“No tengan miedo a soñar” Un Entrevista con Raquel Rodriguez

Posted on by RJ Allen

For people who are not familizada with footballer’Rocky’ Raquel Rodriguez, here are some facts of miedocampista of Costa Rica.   She played with Le selection Costa Rica since 2009, and in 2015 the team participated in the premier FIFA World Cup football in Canada. Rodriguez was a historic moment against Spain when he noticed the premier goal for her team in a World Cup. Following story in his college career with Penn State, Rodriguez helped the Nittany Lions to a national title. In the final against Duke the score was 1-0 with Rodriguez putting the goal. The championship was the first national title for the university.

Rodriguez was the second selected by Sky Blue FC to play in the league nwsl player. When Sky Blue FC faced the Chicago Red Stars, Rocky talk to us after the game on nwsl, football in Costa Rica, and his two loves: soccer and ice cream.

Backline Soccer (BS): I mean congratulations on your nwsl season premiere. How are you adapting to the league game?

Raquel Rodriguez (RR): Well, I think the league is pretty intense. I like the fact that every game is not known who will win. There are differences in many other leagues. And I think we are building Blue Sky is a new team with many new people, who are called rookies are starting forming and trained, but I think we are establishing the elements of fairly solid team and that takes time. So I think we are on track, and spend the season as the idea is to keep improving and I think we are showing that.

BS: You’re young, but you have a lot of experience playing for Costa Rica, you’re winning Mac Hermann Trophy and a national title with Penn State. Why did you choose to play in nwsl instead of a European club or league?

RR: Well the main reason is because it has not finished college career and I are still trained and nwsl is perfect because it’s only ifs months a year and then after the season I use that time to train international. It also made sense because I’m better known in the United States rather than Europe or elsewhere. But I think there were several factors, right? And in the end I am very grateful, first, God, for opening the doors with Blue Sky and second by Sky Blue for trusting me and believing in me.

BS: Can you talk about your experience at the World Cup with Costa Rica?

RR: It was a unique experience. I always say it was a dream come true. Because it was only the first World Cup in which Costa Rica participates and is very symbolic that not so many years of struggle for women’s football in Costa Rica. I am sure that we are not the only country that is struggling more and more popularity in football support. But the World think it was the end of a hard cover as there is ignorance in women’s football in Costa Rica and the start of a cover development and women’s football development. So I was very sentimental part of all the experiences we had.

BS: Do you feel more support with the federation after the World Cup?

RR: Yes, of course. I think the most important thing was the communication that has now developed between the federation and the players. At the end those which appreciated. That we know that what is happening and now they do things that did not exist, perhaps, I think the media also have been in fact now, follow me follow me or someone like me, and report. Report of us. It is no longer only men’s soccer, football is feminine and even other sports. Then after I think the world already made gigantados steps.

BS: I played with two national flagships, Shirley Cruz with Costa Rica and Christie Rampone of USA. UU by Sky Blue. Can you talk about the differences or what you have in common with them?

RR: Every captain, each leader is different. It holds its own. Shirley is a very passionate player, with a lot of courage, and a lot of heart. That’s the way to play it shows. She is the soul into the team playing. It is the soul, the motor. Christie alone with his presence gives security. She is the kind of leader who made good in the game and it gives you something one by one. If she sees someone, she grabs the player and gives some tips. Then to have it is an honor, it is a great privilege. They are those things I thank God for giving me such examples.

BS: This is a question for fans of Penn State. There is an ice cream parlor’Penn State Creamery’ What’s your favorite flavor?

RR: Oh, I have to say, I love ice cream! [Laughs] Of all the desserts and sweets, I love ice cream. But with Oreo Vanilla is my favorite. But at Penn State Creamery had many flavors, and I can eat all the flavors! I can take a few shakes every day, but I can not. [Laughs] I have to keep playing shape.

BS: I have a question for your family. Nwsl games are live on YouTube. Your family and friends can see their games on the internet?

RR: Yeah, that’s great for my parents. Everybody. They are excited by the ease to watch the games. On the internet, Youtube, super good.

BS: Can you say a few words or advice for young Latinas who are watching the games on Costa Rica or nwsl on YouTube and want to dream and be like you?

RR: First, I always say, do not be afraid to dream. In my case I had many dreams when I was chiquitita with football. But I understood that God was all that could open the doors, and I also understood that he was even better than I imagined plans. So first I prayed much to the Lord and I will express my feelings trusting Him. And on the other hand, worked hard towards my hand, much discipline, much sacrifice, but always with the goal in my mind. But never be afraid to dream. Not have to be football, you can dream whatever. I’ve always known about types of nerves of fear. But if you do not touch the nerves, we will not know much what we want.

Catching up with Diana Matheson

Posted on by RJ Allen

Before the Spirit’s trip to Portland, I had the chance to catch up with their all-time leading scorer, Diana Matheson.

Backline Soccer (BS): With being here all 4 years, how do you feel the team and the league have grown and matured over the last 4 years?

Diana Matheson (DM): I mean it’s really improved each year both on the field and off the field. We’ve added great professional players every year and have gotten more consistency. Off the field, the league and this team is getting more and more professional.

BS: With the new additions, especially this year, your role has maybe kind of changed a little bit, how do you feel your role has changed on and off the field?

DM: I mean it’s kind of similar to last year, Mark always liked me on the wing as opposed to a midfielder, Jim has started me there most of the time as well, in this league I feel I’ve been more of a forward than a midfielder.

BS: If you could steal any 3 players from other teams and bring them over, who would they be?

DM: I feel like that’s kind of a tricky question. I’m going to go with Kim Little because she is fun to play with but she couldn’t keep number 8, she’d have to change it. Desire Scott, because she’s tough to play against so take her away from Kansas. I don’t have a third, so we’ll leave it at that.

BS: Do you and Krieger, with the upcoming Olympics, have a dinner or anything riding on it?

DM: No, no nothing, no dinners. Everyone’s got enough riding on that already, there doesn’t need to be a side bet.

A Conversation with Ali Krieger

Posted on by RJ Allen

For those of you that are new to women’s soccer, Ali Krieger is one of- if not the- best right backs in the world.For those of you that are new to women’s soccer, Ali Krieger is one of- if not the- best right backs in the world. A veteran of two World Cups, she was part of one of the greatest backlines to every play the game,  and gave us one heck of a summer last year, not to mention that epic penalty kick in 2011 and a load of amazing memories in between.

I was lucky enough to get to snag a few moments of her precious time, after training last week and got to find out what her answer to the most important question ever was, what’s her favorite Penn State ice cream. Ok, I may have asked her about soccer and the Washington Spirit and their awesome start to the season, which are pretty important too.

Backline Soccer (BS): How does it feel being back at right back?

Ali Krieger (AK): So good. I think that playing other positions as well has helped in playing my natural position, because I get more touches on the ball, like playing in midfield last season, I thought that was really fun for me. It was a different experience for me so I think having that, I can apply what I usually do at right back to those positions and get more touches on the ball and get better at that in other positions that I played and kind of get more experience. Of course I’m going play wherever my coach wants to play me and do the best I can. It feels much better to be playing in my natural right back position now.

BS: It seems like you’re becoming more confident in taking shots. Have you been given more freedom with that or is it just the flow of the game?

AK: It’s kind of flowing, I feel like I want to get into attack more and it’s been difficult in this league because the run of play is go-go-go. We’ve tried to calm the game down a little bit, to have possession, in order for me to get forward and I’ve just been finding myself more into the attack recently. But I don’t plan it, no. Against Portland I maybe could have put a couple of headers in. It’s nothing new that I’m doing or changing. I get too excited when I get up there, it’s fun. How to stay calm now, I’ve got to figure that out.

BS: The backline is starting to look like they’re starting to gel together, how do you feel about the progress, especially since game one? With Stephanie being back there now, how is that affecting the adjustments?

AK: It’s good, obviously we only have 2 out of our back 5, as we call it, are the same from last year, so it’s been an adjustment. The other 3 have stepped in and done a tremendous job and we haven’t skipped a beat. I think we’ve moved a few steps forward from where we were last year and having Shelina in there, as well – being a young experienced Canadian National Team player, has really helped. We’re really building off of each game and only allowing one goal in right now has been really great for us and we kind of iron out the details as the game goes on and then we take a look at film and we’re like look this needs to be cleaned up before next game and moving forward in this long season that we have. I think we’ve done a good job so far and now it’s just kind of getting use to each other and getting comfortable playing next to each other, kind of sticking together as a unit, that’s really important. If one of us makes a mistake, we all make a mistake, it’s not one person is leaving the other person out to dry, we’ve really done a good job at being a unit and making sure all of us are on the same page because we do know there are new faces in the backline and it’s so important to be that connected back 5 and that’s huge for any team.

BS: This may be the Penn State kid in me, what is your favorite Creamery flavor?

AK: Mint Chocolate Chip. I haven’t been in a while, it’s newer I think. I have to go back and take a look and stay on top of the flavors and the names, but mint chocolate chip for sure.

(I looked this up, there is Mint Nittany or Bittersweet Mint.)

Catching up with Stephanie Labbé

Posted on by RJ Allen

The Washington Spirit are sitting atop the NWSL standings, having taken 9 out of 9 possible points from their matches with a 3-0 record. Leading up to the Portland game this week, arguably the first real test for the Spirit this season, I was lucky enough to catch up with the new keeper in town, Stephanie Labbé. She was gracious enough to answer a few of my questions after training.

Backline Soccer (BS): What has been the biggest adjustment coming over to the NWSL?

Stephanie Labbé (SL): The speed of play and the quality of strikers that I face. I had the same backline in front of me for 6 years in Sweden, so figuring out everyone’s strengths and weaknesses on this backline and getting to know their styles of play.

BS: Do you think that the Olympic break helps with national team players not having to miss as many games and helps keep team chemistry in the club teams?

SL: Yes, I definitely think it’ll help. Anytime you get to play together, and the longer you get to play together, the more chemistry and the stronger the team becomes. We have a deep bench with a lot of good players, and the more we can play together, the better.

BS: Who is the crazier captain to play with Ali Krieger or Christine Sinclair?

SL: They both have different leadership styles. Ali tends to be more vocal, giving the pregame speeches and talking a lot on the field. Sinc is more of the lead by example, putting her body on the line and going all out. They are similar in that they are both very humble and have worked for everything they have, nothing in their careers have been given to them.

BS: What is the mindset going into the next four weeks knowing you play the same two teams back to back?

SL: I haven’t really thought of that too much. We’ve been keeping it game by game and really concentrating on the next opponent for the upcoming week. This week is Portland and we have to step up our performance from last week and play better against them then we did against Western New York.

BS: Do you ever wish, just once, that when your team scores, someone would come and give the keeper some love?

SL: Yes! I can’t really go running to the huddle and then all the way back to goal, maybe I can run to the bench. I will definitely have to talk to the defenders about this and maybe one of them can give me a hug or something—show me some love.

Hopefully one of the defenders will agree, and maybe when Ali Krieger scores again, she’ll show Steph some love.

Defensive minded Red Stars: A preseason glance

Posted on by RJ Allen
Photo found at chicagoredstars.com
Photo found at chicagoredstars.com

“Defense wins championships…” It’s a quote coined by famed college coach Bear Bryant and has been echoed throughout various sports scenarios since it has been uttered into existence. In soccer, a strong back line and a goalkeeper who can demonstrate leadership of that back line is essential to a successful team. When the Chicago Red Stars announced their preseason roster it featured several defenders and goalkeepers. A mix of veterans, draftees, and invitees (trialists).

Last season, Chicago appeared to have a solid defensive foundation even during a World Cup cycle in which key defensive players were absent. 2015 saw goalkeepers Katrina Leblanc and Michele Dalton, along with defenders Julie Johnston and Michelle Lomnicki, among its core pieces.

However in the off season, the Red Stars were left with defensive holes in forms of retirement, expansion drafts, and trades. LeBlanc and Lomnicki announced their retirement. Taryn Hemmings was selected by Orlando Pride in the expansion draft (she later announced retirement). Abby Erceg was traded to WNY Flash in a deal involving Whitney Engen, who was later traded to Boston Breakers for United States National Women’s Team goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.

Chicago’s 2016 NWSL draft class featured 4 defensive selections. 3 of those picks were called to the preseason roster. Notre Dame’s Katie Naughton, Depaul’s Sarah Gorden, and Northern Colorado’s Adrienne Jordan. All draftees are strong capable players of making the squad, and with all the changes, they can use this preseason to make their case.

In addition to a busy off season, the same day Chicago released their preseason roster they also announced Rachel Quon would not be returning to the Red Stars for the upcoming 2016 season. Quon, a key utility player, offered depth at various positions as defensive back and defensive midfield. Along with signing Alyssa Naeher, the Red Stars announced the signing of defender Casey Short. Short has ties with Chicago dating back to 2013 when they acquired her rights from Boston, however, due to injuries she was unable to play. She is coming off a successful season with Avaldsnes football club in Norway and is expected to make an impact for the team.

Chicago Red Stars Coach Rory Dames has been quoted saying she will provide options at outside back “…She will slide straight into one of our outside back spots and give us the attributes we look for in those spaces.”

Finally, a surprising pre-season roster move, second year Forward Cara Walls and veteran Midfielder Alyssa Mautz were listed as defenders on the roster. Their experience will be leaned on tested in these preseason games. Kassidy Brown, Madison Krauser, Jennifer Pelley, and Brianna Smallidge were invited as trialists. The preseason roster rounds out at 11 defenders and 4 goalkeepers.

GOALKEEPERS (4): Michele Dalton, Alyssa Naeher, Jennifer Pelley, Brianna Smallidge

DEFENDERS (11): Kassidy Brown, Arin Gilliland, Sarah Gorden, Samantha Johnson, Julie Johnston, Adrienne Jordan, Madison Krauser, Alyssa Mautz, Katie Naughton, Casey Short, Cara Walls

The Preseason is officially underway with a closed scrimmage having already taken place against Illinois State. Two more games will follow and are open and free to the public. April 3rd against Northwestern at 5pm and April 6th against Notre Dame at 6pm.

 

Terms of the Deal Were Not disclosed. Wait, why?

Posted on by RJ Allen

“Per league and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.”

That sentence shows up in every story on NWSLSoccer.com about a player signing. Officially, no club  can create a page on their website that lists  what each of their players make. The only things we do know are that non-allocated players (players from the United States and Canada on their women’s national teams) are paid between $6,800 and $37,800 and that each team has a salary cap of $265,000. 

The National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL), which just finished its first season, took a different route. You can go to their website and find a page that lists the salary for each player. The 72 players on the 4 NWHL teams have what they make listed. From the 16 players making just $10,000 to Kelli Stack who makes a league-high $25,000. This isn’t to say the NWHL is perfect, but in this one area it’s already ahead of the NWSL. 

Yet, in the NWSL, it’s league and club policy not to give out any information of the terms of the player deals or how much they make off of those deals. 

And that’s not even getting at the impact that having such low salaries has on teams and players in the first place. 

To look at the impact that the $265,000 cap has on a team, we need to have some fun with math. Let’s look at the 18 player roster for Seattle from the 2015 Championship game and see what Laura Harvey, head coach and GM, might be paying her players. 

The roster: Hope Solo, Megan Rapinoe, Kendall Fletcher, Rachel Corsie, Lauren Barnes, Stephanie Cox, Elli Reed, Keelin Winters, Kim Little, Jessica Fishlock, Merritt Mathias, Katrine Veje, Beverly Yanez, Haley Kopmeyer ,Amber Brooks, Mariah Bullock, Danielle Foxhoven, and Kiersten Dallstream. 

First off, Solo and Rapinoe can be taken out of consideration, because they are United States allocated players. US Soccer plays them to play in the league. (About $55,000 according to the court documents in the law suit between US Soccer and the United States Women’s National Team.) 

For the moment, let’s assume that no other players outside of the 18 that dress for game day are getting paid, just to keep the math simple. Teams are allowed to carry up to 20 players even if not all teams do.

So, 16 players have to fit under a salary cap of $265,000. That would be $16,562.50 per player, if everyone on the roster was being paid evenly. But as we know, in the world of sports, things are rarely fair.

Out of the 16 non-allocated players, Seattle has two from the Scottish Women’s National Team, (Kim Little and Rachel Corsie), one from the Welsh Women’s National Team, (Jess Fishlock), and one from the Danish Women’s National Team, (Katrine Veje). Let’s say each of them made $30,000 each. They are good enough to be called on for international duty after all. 

What does that give us? Two allocated players (Solo and Rapinoe), four international players making $30,000 (Little, Corsie, Fishlock, and Veje) and the 12 remaining players making roughly $12,083.33 each, if we’re keeping the rest equal. 

But the 12 left wouldn’t be all paid equally. The starting XI would likely be getting more than a bench player, right? 

The starting XI: Solo, Fletcher, Corsie, Barnes, Cox, Winters, Little, Fishlock, Mathias, Rapinoe and Yanez. 

So let’s increase the rest of the starting XI (Fletcher, Barnes, Cox, Winters, Mathaias, and Yanez) to $20,000 each.

So now you have two allocated players (Solo and Rapinoe), four international players making $30,000 (Little, Corsie, Fishlock, and Veje), six starters making $20,000 (Fletcher, Barnes, Cox, Winters, Mathias and Yanez), and the six bench players making $4,166,66 each. 

That puts the bench players’ salaries under the league minimum. 

See how quickly that $265,000 goes? 

I can’t tell you, with 100% certainty, what the players on Seattle make (outside of Solo and Rapinoe), but I can tell you that some of the players make close to the league minimum. Not making that information known only serves to keep the public from seeing just how many of those players are closer to the $6,800 end of the spectrum than the $37,800 end. 

Releasing the players’ salaries would give the public a chance to see just what each team is doing with their $265,000. It will give fans a chance to call GMs out if they aren’t using the money wisely, just like every other sports league has their fans do. 

The NWSL making it to its fourth season is huge. But that doesn’t mean that fans and members of the media should give them a free pass. The only way the league will change for the better is by fans and the media pushing them in that direction. 

And push we shall.