Soccer is a global game. A game about sportsmanship, about building bridges.
It’s the type of game where three girls from New Jersey can help make life better for those in Granada, Nicaragua, by raising money for a girls’ soccer team and educational program there.
These three girls, Bridget, Charlotte and Lucy, have started a Soccer Without Boarders fundraising event to try to help those giving in Granada. At 10 (“almost 11”), 9 and 8, these sisters have already dipped their toes into the world of sports. Bridget plays goalkeeper for World Class FC X-Treme, and says Kelley O’Hara is her favorite player. Charlotte plays softball on a travel team and loves watching Crystal Dunn. And Lucy, who is hoping to play soccer on a travel team now that she’s old enough, is a big Alex Morgan fan.
When I asked the sisters why they decided to do this, their answer was mature beyond their years:
We love soccer. We think that all girls should be able to play soccer like we do. Not all girls in the world have the opportunities that we do, and we think that is unfair. Soccer Without Borders can be the solution to that problem. They also provide exceptional education programs too. It’s important to do good for others, and it feels good too. We wanted to find a fundraiser or volunteer activity that we could do at our age. A lot of the ideas we had are for much older kids. Soccer Without Borders was an excellent opportunity for us to help because their ambassador program accepts people of all ages. It’s fun and exciting to do it together as sisters.
They’ve already raised over $1600 and Positive Tracks, a group that helps youth athletes become civic activists, will double that. Just yesterday they shared an update on the campaign on Facebook, stating that their Grenada drive has been so successful, Soccer Without Borders has asked if they’d direct their efforts towards a similar program in Uganda:
We have raised enough money to help fund the Soccer Without Borders Grenada La Villa expansion. La Villa is a more remote area in Grenada, and SWB hopes to reach girls there that may not have been able to participate in the past. The awesome people at SWB have asked us if we would also include their girls program in Kampala, Uganda now that the La Villa expansion is on track. Of course, we said YES! It’s not just soccer. Refugees from six different countries who speak nine different languages receive English language learning from SWB in Kampala. Please keep spreading the word, so we can help girls everywhere.
Each team will play 24 matches–12 home and 12 away–and meet with every club at least twice, once at home and once away. The teams’ schedules include three games each against six selected teams, and two games against the remaining three teams.
The confirmed schedules include three FIFA windows–one in each June, July, and September–to allow international players the freedom to return home for National Team duties, but will not feature an extended break as it has over the past two summers (for 2015’s World Cup and 2016’s Olympics, respectively).
Details on which games will be aired on Lifetime each weekend are not yet available.
The release was chock full of important information. Most notable, perhaps, was the fact that 2017’s Opening Weekend will take place April 15-16 and feature five games, though a close contender is sure to be just which teams will be featured in Lifetime TV’s first “Game of the Week” broadcast.
Well, wait no longer.
Continuing their history-making trend, the first “Game of the Week” will be April 15’s showdown between Portland Thorns FC and Orlando Pride at Providence Park. For the second year in a row, a game between Portland and Orlando at Providence will look to make a mark on the Women’s Soccer world. Last year, of course, the Orlando Pride played their first-ever match at Portland, where they made a good show but ultimately lost 1-2 to the Thorns.
Other matches during Opening Weekend include:
Houston Dash v Chicago Red Stars @ BBVA Compass Stadium (April 15)
Seattle Reign FC v Sky Blue FC @ Memorial Stadium (April 15)
Washington Spirit v North Carolina Courage @ Maryland SoccerPlex (April 15)
FC Kansas City v Boston Breakers @ Swope Soccer Village (April 16)
The league’s newest franchise, the North Carolina Courage (formerly Western New York Flash, for those unaware of the off-season move) will host their first-ever match the following weekend, when they welcome the Portland Thorns to WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday, April 22. The Courage will look to make a splash as they somehow balance the almost oxymoronic titles of Reigning NWSL Champions and Newest NWSL Club.
But perhaps even more anticipated than North Carolina’s debut that weekend will be the showdown taking place in Orlando’s brand new Orlando City Stadium between the Pride and visiting Washington Spirit. The match on the 22nd will be heavily watched by fans of both sides, owing not only to the quality of the competition but to the somewhat frustrating nature of the trade that sent national team member and former Spirit RB Ali Krieger to the Pride in exchange for what some called a paltry gain in the distribution ranking order.
Other home openers during Week Two:
Chicago Red Stars v FC Kansas City @ Toyota Park (April 22)
Boston Breakers v Sky Blue FC @ Jordan Field (April 23)
The last team to play at home this season, but never the least, will be Sky Blue FC, who will welcome their fans back to Yurcak Field on Sunday, April 30, in game against FC Kansas city. FCKC will likely have back Amy Rodriguez, a key component missing from their roster last year, while Sky Blue’s roster features the great Captain America, Christie Rampone, whose steady leadership always makes SBFC a formidable opponent for any team.
Other information revealed in the release today includes confirmation of a 24 game season (12 home games, 12 away), though it’s not yet clear if the schedule will feature “geographic rivalries” as last year’s did.
The full press release can be located on the NWSL’s website here.
Reports broke on late Tuesday afternoon that Carli Lloyd was expected to sign with the Manchester City Women of England’s FAWSL. Corey Roepken first broke the news that Lloyd was heading to the UK.
Today that report was confirmed when the Manchester City Women announced the signing via Twitter.
Man City Women welcomes the two-time FIFA Player of the Year (2015, 2016) as they enter the FAWSL Spring Series and gear up for the UEFA Women’s Champions League competition, which concludes in June. Lloyd is expected to return to the NWSL and Houston Dash after that.
Though Dash fans may be disappointed, the Dash wished her well on this journey:
This is the first installment of a three-part series.
*DISCLAIMER*
Yes, this is a women’s soccer article referencing a rap album. Yes, there is foul language. Yes, this is your Parental Advisory.
Chance The Rapper – Coloring Book (cover art)
If you’re from Chicago and are unfamiliar with hip hop or have been living under a rock the last 4 years, Chance The Rapper is an artist from the south side of Chicago who has been receiving tons of critical acclaim for his new release, Coloring Book. If you haven’t heard it yet, go do yourself a favor and download it. It is free.
In Chance’s album, he touches on many of his loves. His Family, his Faith, and his City. Although it holds gospel influences, the tracks throughout the album invite you into his world with native Chicago house music influences and juke beats – all guided by a flow uniquely his own. Seriously, go download it.
WHY WOMEN’S SOCCER & HIP HOP?
It’s no secret athletes are into music. They use it to motivate their workouts and hype up game days. Here at Backline Soccer we’re into a whole bunch of cool shit like WoSo, tacos, and music. So when Chance The Rapper dropped that mix-tape, I immediately downloaded it like the loyal Chicagoan I am. It was released back in May, about a month after the National Women’s Soccer League kicked off their historic 4th season.
Similar to athletes, music usually accompanies me whenever I do some kind of writing. So it only seemed appropriate to do a review and remix of the mix-tape that has taken the music world by storm with the squad that literally reps Chicago’s notorious stars on its crest, The Chicago Red Stars. While going through Coloring Book’s from start to finish, I will be comparing players from this season’s active roster to specific lyrics in its tracks.
*DISCLAIMER 2*
AGAIN. This album contains a Parental Advisory for Explicit Content. So chill the fuck out. Also, not all players will be used in this WoSo Remix to the album. Mostly active starters and players from this season to date, with some honorable mentions.
CHANCE THE RAPPER – COLORING BOOK
ALL WE GOT (FT. Kanye West & Chicago Children’s Choir) – “AND WE BACK.” In this track Chance lets us know he’s arrived and yet he’s never really left us. He touches on the moments in his life at the release of his album and introduces the gospel influences we will hear throughout the album.
The lyric “They don’t give nothing away, you gotta fight for your way” will be remixed for Chicago Red Stars Goal Keeper Alyssa Naeher. Granted the ‘they’ in this line can also be attributed to Chicago’s backline as well, however in the event that they do give ‘something’ away, Naeher is still there to be reckoned with. Just try and fight your way past her.
NO PROBLEM (FT. Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz) – “You don’t want ZERO problems big fella.” This song was the first track to get a music video to accompany it after the album released (Angels was first). In it, Chance calls out the major music labels who failed in their efforts to deny him access to the artists he wanted to collaborate with, and his desire to put out the music he wanted to release – for free.
The hypnotizing hook “You don’t want no problems, want no problems with me” will be remixed for Chicago Red Stars captain, Christen Press. Press has been referred to as the main component of Chicago’s offensive presence on the pitch. Few goalkeepers want to be caught one on one with her on the pitch. Before she got named to the Olympic roster she left the team with four goals, 27 shots on goal, and 42 total shots. You don’t want ZERO problems with Press.
SUMMER FRIENDS (FT. Jeremih & Francis & The Lights) – “Summer friends don’t stay.” A very somber track that has Chance reminiscing on friends and lives lost in his south side community of Chatham, specifically in summer time in Chicago. In remembering past summers, he acknowledges how they have shaped his present. He collaborates with fellow Chicagoan Jeremih who sings an outro on the track expressing the importance of remaining loyal with those who came up through the trials with you.
The song hits home due to the truth it holds. Some Chicagoland communities have a history with violence. It’s not hard to find someone directly affected by it somehow. It is a sensitive subject that should be discussed not glorified. Although difficult to choose a specific lyric from this very moving song, the line “Oh I used to kill em with the long hair” stands out since Chance has referenced his long natural hair in prior songs.
This line will be remixed for Julie Johnston and Samantha Johnson. Along with their fantastic defensive and leadership skills, they both have a strong hair and fashion game. They both do a great job of reaching out and working with youth as well. They have both formed a strong bond as the main center backs of the defense. Johnson has done a great job of filling as the voice of the backline during Johnston’s Olympic duty absence. And let’s not forget the recent animated short where Johnston tells us how she used to ‘kill em with the long hair.’
D.R.A.M SINGS SPECIAL – This track is the shortest on Chance’s album. It clocks in at one minute and 42 seconds. It features D.R.A.M and Elle Varner singing a very melodic verse repeatedly, serving as a bit of a lullaby interlude for the album. The track is literally five lines repeated twice: “You are very special. You’re special too. Everyone is special. This I know is true, when I look at you.”
Due to the short length of this track and its minimal yet significant lyrics, this whole interlude will be remixed for Sarah Gorden.
Drafted second overall for the Red Stars in the NWSL 2016 draft, she hasn’t seen much playing time on the pitch this year, logging minutes in only two games so far this season. However, that doesn’t reflect her great work ethic or stop her from working on her game. It’s not easy being a professional athlete and a mom on an NWSL salary, but somehow she’s doing it. We all know she’s special and it’s a matter of time before we see her on the pitch again.
Honorable Mention: Lori Chalupny. Long time Red Star and retired captain, Chups’s jersey was recently retired by the team, so we know how special she is to the Red Stars and Chicagoland fans. Check out her jersey retirement ceremony here.
BLESSINGS – “The praises go up. The blessings come down.” A break out song from Coloring Book, Chance literally utilizes this track as his praise song. By remembering God throughout his journey in music, Chance knows that his blessing will come. The refrain that Jamila Woods sings echoes throughout the track like a holy reprise. It is that lyric that we will remix for Casey Short.
Short has been on the Red Stars’ radar for years. Initially drafted fifth overall by Boston in 2013, she suffered a season ending injury. Chicago picked up her rights for 2014, but Short had another setback due to injury. After fighting her way back to playing form, she had a successful 27 appearances for Avaldsnes in Norway in 2015. Finally, in 2016, we saw her long-awaited arrival to Chicago.
When you put in the work, you reap the rewards. Her long journey has seen plenty of adversity, but Short has now become a staple in Chicago’s back-five, a defense that includes National Team regulars like Julie Johnston and Alyssa Naeher. Coupled with fellow outside back Arin Gilliland, she is one part of a lethal duo. Ultimately, it’s not just Short, but the fans who are blessed as well.
We will continue this WoSo Remix as a series. Coloring Book Tracks 6 through 10 and 11 through 14 will be covered in separate parts. Stay tuned!
Ellis has named 25 players to a training camp set before the 2017 SheBelieves Cup. This leaves open the possibility the roster for SheBelieves might be somewhat smaller as high school junior Brianna Pinto might not be on hand for the Cup.
Ellis angered some by leaving Megan Rapinoe and Kealia Ohai off her roster.
U.S. Women’s National Team Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
DEFENDERS (7): Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Meghan Klingenberg (Portland Thorns FC), Ali Krieger (Orlando Pride), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars), Emily Sonnett (Portland Thorns FC)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Sarah Killion (Sky Blue FC), Rose Lavelle (Boston Breakers), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Samantha Mewis (NC Courage), Brianna Pinto (CASL)
FORWARDS (6): Crystal Dunn (Chelsea Ladies FC), Alex Morgan (Olympique Lyonnais), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Mallory Pugh (UCLA), Amy Rodriguez (FC Kansas City), Lynn Williams (NC Courage)
The NWSL has announced their new TV deal this morning.
Unlike past seasons, it is not a handful of games on Fox Sports at the end of the season.
Instead the league will feature one game a week on the Lifetime channel. The games will air on Saturdays at at 4 pm EST with a pregame show at 3:30 pm. The remaining games will air on the newly minted NWSL Media.
According to the press release NWSL Media is still finishing hammering out details with possible partners for streaming.
“NWSL Media will oversee the live streaming of all matches and produce the games in high definition with a consistent, state-of-the-art approach that will include exclusive new and original digital content for pre-game, halftime and post-game segments. The joint venture is currently negotiating with potential partners to stream the games not broadcast on Lifetime.”
The NWSL returned to YouTube to stream the event live, slightly ironic as that platform is likely done as far as game access goes.
The event had plenty of NWSL star power in attendance, with NWSL commissioner Jeff Plush, A+E President and CEO Nancy Dubuc, USSF President Sunil Gulati, and a group of NWSL players that included Rose Lavelle (Boston Breakers), Steph McCaffrey and Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars), Kristie and Sam Mewis (Washington Spirit and NC Courage, respectively), Lynn Williams (NC Courage), and former USWNT Captain Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC).
Quoted in the press release, Jeff Plush sounded thrilled with the deal, as did partners Nancy Dubuc and Sunil Gulati.
“This is a transformational partnership in the evolution of the league, and we are so appreciative of Nancy Dubuc and her team at A+E Networks as they take a leadership position in the growth of our league and create opportunities for young women,” NWSL Commissioner Jeff Plush said. “We are also extremely pleased to be able to present our fans with the most comprehensive national television and streaming packages in our history.”
“As a former college athlete, I know the importance of sports in the lives of women and girls and I couldn’t be more thrilled to join forces with NWSL and U.S. Soccer to ensure professional women athletes are elevated as the entire country can watch and be inspired by their strength and athleticism. The teams are filled with some of the best professional players in the world, and we are proud to welcome them to Lifetime,” said Nancy Dubuc, President and CEO, A+E Networks.
“This partnership is not only tremendously significant in the continued growth of the NWSL, but representative of how far the league has come in four years and where it can go in the future,” said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati. “A+E and its resources are a fantastic fit for women’s professional soccer and will have a major impact on continuing to raise the profile of what we feel is already the best and most competitive league in the world.”
The TV deal is likely not to satisfy everyone. There is no telling yet how the digital content will be provided or if international fans will be left out in the cold. Also unclear is whether playoff games will be aired on the channel or whether they will be featured on elsewhere. But no matter what, this deal does mark a significant step forward for the league, with a three-year term that signals confidence on both sides.
Women’s soccer, Lifetime has told the sports world, is worth our attention.
Daphne Corboz will finally take the pitch as a member of Sky Blue this upcoming NWSL season. After being the 22nd pick in the 2015 NWSL draft for SBFC, Corboz decided to play for Manchester City in the FA Women’s Super League instead, where she made 15 appearances and scored two goals and helped her team win their first FAWSL title.
The Georgetown Hoya was one of the best attacking players during her college days. In 2013 she racked up 27 points–7 goals, 13 assists–in 16 games played. She was named as a Second Team All-America selection by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America as well as being the Big East Midfielder of the Year and being an All-Big Eat First Team selection.
👉 NJ native 👉 2 yrs at Manchester City 👉 Georgetown all-time leading goal scorer
Head coach Christie Holly was quoted in the Sky Blue press release as saying, “We are delighted to have signed Daphne Corboz. She is going to be a key piece to what we are trying to achieve over the next number of seasons, and she is an attractive player to us for many reasons. For starters, she is a New Jersey girl and has a full appreciation of what it means to wear the Sky Blue FC crest. She is someone who brings a huge amount of qualities on the field, and she also has a great personality off the field as well.”
Jen Muller from Cloud 9, when asked for comment said, “Not a bad way to start the day. When it was announced that Corboz would not be returning to Manchester City we hoped Sky Blue would find a way to bring her home to New Jersey. Very excited to see what the team can accomplish with this addition, especially now that it seems like O’Hara will be part of the attack. Between our returning players, our draftees, and now Corboz, it’s going to be a fun season.”
Needless to say, Sky Blue expects big things from this talented midfielder.
Glenn Crooks of CBS New York has reported that FCKC and former USWNT midfielder Heather O’Reilly has joined England’s Arsenal Ladies. More details as they become available.
Heather O'Reilly joins Arsenal, tells me:"I want to help soccer in the US-I’m doing this to be a better ambassador"@TheDanLauletta @Wosozone
Indeed, Heather O'Reilly will play for Arsenal this spring but is expected back in KC later this year. FAWSL Spring Series ends June 3. https://t.co/UXfgbKe26J
Below is a portion of the press release from the Orlando Pride.
ORLANDO, Fla. (December 20, 2016) – U.S. Women’s National Team (U. S. WNT) forward Alex Morgan has communicated her desire to play the first half of 2017 in Europe, and will join French side Olympique Lyonnais. Morgan will return to the Pride following the conclusion of Lyon’s 2016-17 season in May.
“We are obviously disappointed that Alex will miss the beginning of the Pride season but understand her wishes to play in Europe and we look forward to her rejoining her teammates after Lyon’s season,” Orlando City SC Founder and President Phil Rawlins said. “This in no way affects our plans or commitment to growing Orlando Pride and we will continue providing the team the best available players, training resources and staff to become a championship contender in the NWSL and a leader in women’s professional soccer.”
“My decision to play for Lyon was not an easy one, but it is an important step in my evolution as a player,” Morgan said. “I want to thank the Pride and our incredible fans and community for their continued support. I look forward to returning home this summer as a better player and leader to join my teammates at our new stadium as we compete for a NWSL Championship.”
Morgan and fellow U.S. WNT players are annually allocated to NWSL by the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF). Currently, the USSF and the U.S. WNT Players Association are negotiating a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, with the current agreement set to expire on Dec. 31, 2016.
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