Category: NWSL

Interviews with Emma: Jess McDonald

Posted on by RJ Allen

Emma Bayer is an 11-year-old who does a recurring interview series for Backline Soccer. You can find more out about how Emma got into soccer here.

Jess McDonald has played in quite a few cities during her career; Chicago, Seattle, Portland, Houston, Rochester, New York, and currently Cary, North Carolina. She scored in double figures in two of those seasons. She also played with the Melbourne Victory in the Australian W-League for one season.

Birthdate:

February 28, 1988.

Nickname from teammates:

Jessy Mac, Jess Mac, Jessy Jess, or Jess.

Hometown:

Phoenix, Arizona.

Age started playing:

12

College/major:

Phoenix College and the University of North Carolina. History.

Career aspirations after soccer:

Consulting people to live a healthier lifestyle.

Why did you pick your particular uniform:

My big brother, Brandon McDonald, has been an idol of mine my whole life. His number was 14, so I thought I would continue to follow in his footsteps.

Pregame meal:

Pancakes with eggs, and sometimes bacon.

Workout music:

Hip Hop and African Music.

Favorite cartoon character:

Tweety Bird.

Fave movie:

Bad Moms.

Fave actor:

Male, Will Smith. Female, Mila Kunis.

Hidden talent:

I can flutter my eyes very fast.

Mentor (in soccer or life):

My big brother, Brandon McDonald.

Fave charity/cause:

Compassion Experience.

Life motto:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13

Superstitions:

None.

Pets:

A corn snake and a betta fish.

If you were going on Amazing Race, which teammate would you want as a partner, and why?

Abby Erceg, the woman is simply not human.

If you had your own reality show, what would it be called?

The Life of Jess McDonald.

The Deep Dive: 5 Things Every NWSL Fan Should Do This Season

Posted on by RJ Allen

Congratulations, women’s soccer fans! We made it! The season has officially begun and we can all breathe a sigh of relief. No longer will we have to go through NWSL withdrawals. No longer will we have to mark down the days on our calendars. No longer will we have to wonder if the schedule will be released. Because it’s here, and there are so many things to look forward to this season. So let’s take a deep dive, and explore five ways we all can make the most out of this season:

  1. Watch With The Enemy

This season I challenge everyone to go to an away game for the team that you root for. There is something cathartic about going into the lion’s den and holding your own. It builds character as a fan. You have to hold your own, keep your chin up, and still rep your colors regardless of where you are and who is surrounding you. The players appreciate it, and so will you. Now, I know this is not always financially or geographically possible for a lot of fans, so the next best alternative is to watch from home with a supporter of the other team. It’s not equivalent, but will give you some of the same feeling.

  1. Buy Some Swag

One of the best ways to support your team, and the NWSL, while also getting pumped for this upcoming season, is to buy some new team gear. There are some phenomenal new products out there. Whether it is the latest Seattle Reign jersey, or the fresh Sky Blue FC snapback, there is something out there for every fan. It also automatically helps you pick out your weekend outfits for the next seven months. Win/Win.

  1. Invite A Friend

You know what’s great? Watching soccer with a buddy. You know what can be even better? Watching soccer with a friend who isn’t already a fan. That friend will also end up having a kick-ass time being part of the experience. They might come away a die-hard Chicago Red Stars fan and get you fly across the country next season for a game (I may or may not be speaking from experience). In any case, not only does it help grow the women’s soccer fan community, but it also makes you appreciate the game just a little bit more—that non-fan friend will point something out that you’ve taken for granted for years. Don’t be a fan snob. Accept the newbie. Love the newbie. Cherish the newbie.

  1. Watch A Game With No Stakes

So often we get wrapped up in only watching our favorite team play, or we watch another match to see how it could potentially impact our team’s standing. All that is fine, and generally leads to exciting, edge-of-your-seat moments. But watching a match that you have absolutely no stake in can really bring you back in touch what it is that you love about the game itself—not who you love in it. This leads to more intelligent debates between fans, newfound appreciation for lesser-known players, and a more intense focus on techniques and skill sets. All of that might actually be useful when it comes back around to evaluating your own team and their chances against these opponents in the future. But even if there’s no utility, you can just have some fun with the game itself.

  1. Shout It Out

Here in America, not everyone is a soccer fan. I get it. But that doesn’t mean we can’t be a loud, vivacious, attractive nuisance of a minority, right? So shout it out. Let the world hear about your love of the game and your team. Talk to people about how much you appreciate Jess Fishlock’s attack, or how great the Utah Royals are going to be this year. My new boss has never watched a soccer match in his life, but after only two months of having me as an employee he sure-as-shit knows who Sam Kerr is. Why? Because I make sure that everyone knows about it when I get excited for this game. Word of mouth is how we help to keep this league and this sport growing—by showing it to the world loudly, and with purpose.

There are plenty of ways that you can go all out this NWSL season. These are just five. But no matter what, make sure you tune in, watch, and share. It’s too good not to.

Utah Royals FC Preview: Can They be a Contender?

Posted on by RJ Allen

The Utah Royals FC are the newest NWSL team on the scene. However, after a quick game of musical chairs this fall, the team secured an experienced head coach and a veteran lineup.

On November 7, the Seattle Reign announced that Laura Harvey was stepping down and FC Kansas City head coach Vlatko Andonovski would take her place. Nine days later, MLS owner Dell Loy Hansen announced women’s professional soccer would arrive to the Salt Lake Valley in 2018. 

By November 20, the league ceased operations of FC Kansas City and announced players would be reallocated to the Utah franchise. Seven days later, Harvey was named the new coach of the yet-to-be-named franchise.

Come March 24, the Royals will open their inaugural season against the Orlando Pride. Here is what you need to know about Harvey and company. 

Head Coach: Laura Harvey (First season with Utah, sixth season in NWSL)

2017 record: FC Kansas record 8-9-7

Projected Starting XI:

Goalkeeper: Nicole Barnhart

Defenders: Kelley O’Hara, Rachel Corsie, Becky Sauerbrunn, Becca Moros

Midfielders: Lo’eau LaBonta, Diana Matheson, Desiree Scott

Forwards: Amy Rodriguez, Katie Stengel, Brittany Ratcliffe

Player you should know:

Canadian midfielder Diana Matheson is definitely a player every women’s soccer fan should know. She was an integral part of the success of the Washington Spirit club that made its first NWSL Championship appearance in 2016.  She signed with the Seattle Reign last year but missed the 2017 season after tearing her ACL (left knee) playing with Canada last February. Matheson returned to the Canadian National Team for the 2018 Algarve Cup and followed Harvey from Seattle to Salt Lake City.

Under the Radar:

Taylor Lytle collected five assists for Sky Blue FC last season. She is deceptively quick and crafty in the midfield. “She is a player I have admired for a while now,” said Harvey in a December press release. “In Taylor, we have a player who has been a stalwart for Sky Blue over five seasons; whenever I would coach against her, she would always cause my team problems, so I’m now very glad that we are on the same team … we expect that bringing in someone like Taylor who has such a great attitude for the game will only enhance our roster.”

Biggest offseason acquisition:

Kelley O’Hara coming over from Sky Blue FC was the largest get for the team formerly known as FCKC. O’Hara has proven she can play anywhere on the pitch and make an impact. Sky Blue FC often relied on O’Hara’s versatility. It will be interesting to see how Harvey utilizes O’Hara. She is fast, fit and an absolute tank of a player.

Biggest rival:

Harvey and Vlatko Andonovski have essentially swapped teams. Andonovski led five of the current Utah Royals to back-to-back championships in 2014-15. Additionally, Andonovski may have something to prove after two disappointing seasons. If he can keep the Reign in the top five teams, it is very possible that those June and July match-ups versus Utah will be important. 

Most memorable moment from 2017:

N/A, unless being relocated counts.

Why they’re the team to watch in 2018:

First, one look at the roster and one notices big names in the game. Canadian Olympic medalists Desiree Scott and Diana Matheson (2012) join American Olympians Nicole Barnhart (2008, 2012), Becky Sauerbrunn (2012, 2016), Amy Rodriguez (2008, 2012) and Kelly O’Hara (2012) for a star-studded roster. The latter three are also reigning FIFA World Cup Champions.

Additionally, Harvey has secured her lineup with solid role players such as Becca Moros, Corsie and Taylor Lytle. This team has enough stars to be a contender, but also has a good balance of role players to grind out the ups and downs of an NWSL season.

Harvey is a masterful coach with two NWSL Shields for the Seattle Reign. She led her team to two-consecutive NWSL postseason appearances. Additionally, the Utah Royals franchise has invested a great deal of resources in its newest team. From facilities to vehicles for the players, the Royals are investing in women’s soccer in America like no other club.

Predicted finish:

It’s reasonable to expect a solid performance from the Royals. However, with all the trades in the offseason, they are not the only team with significant roster changes.  Harvey does not have a top five 2017 goal scorer on her squad. However, Barnhart led the league in saves (97) last season.

I expect this team to be middle of the pack with a chance at the playoffs. So, in numerical terms, I have them finishing sixth. Although, this may be a conservative prediction.

Success depends on:

Staying healthy. Both Matheson and Rodriguez are coming off major injuries. Sauerbrunn has also missed time with the National Team due to injury. Utah is missing a superstar in the true sense of the word. This is a team likely to work best when all its players are at peak performance. 

Fun prediction:

In case you didn’t know, Broon is a gamer!  She is especially fond of Tomb Raider and recently participated in the #TombRaiderTraining challenge. I predict she will continue to film video game or movie-inspired training sessions throughout the season. Honestly, who doesn’t want to see that?

Route Two Soccer: 2018 NWSL Season Predictions

Posted on by RJ Allen

Predictions are a mug’s game, but I’m a mug, so here we are. For these predictions, I’ve assigned an order, and my rough estimation of the chance of each team making the playoffs. What should quickly become clear is that I think this league has four tiers, with clear separation between the tiers but very little separation within them. Ultimately, I see five very good teams in the league and several other solid contenders. Given the cold hard math of the situation, that means that at least one team who projects to be very good is going to miss the playoffs. That’s an unfortunate reality for the team (or teams) who miss out, but it suggests we should be in for an exciting season.

As I go through each team, I’ll first explain why I picked them in that spot and then lay out the best case for why I might be wrong.

Tier One: No Weaknesses

1. North Carolina Courage (80% chance of making the playoffs)

Why they’ll finish first: The defining strength of this team is their depth. Unlike the other title challengers, they aren’t truly dependent on any particular player. While they certainly wouldn’t like to see Sam Mewis, Lynn Williams, or Abby Erceg knocked out by a serious injury, there’s no doubt that they could compensate for the loss of even several key components. I’m not sure any other team in the league can say that, which is why NC is in a tier of their own. The two big questions are how they’ll integrate Crystal Dunn and what they’ll do about the fullback positions. One possible answer to both questions would be a version of a back three—which would keep the defense solid while allowing their wide runners to function more as wingbacks than true fullbacks. But whatever solution they come up with, they should be fine.

Why I might be wrong: Several years ago, the Seattle Reign were a dominant force… right up until they weren’t. Teams often fade more quickly than you’d expect, and North Carolina could be the next victim. It might be unreasonable to expect another career year from Zerboni, or a fully healthy season from Mewis. And if the midfield falters, some of the weaknesses in the back line could get exposed. Their style of play also takes a lot of energy, and might leave them pretty run down by the end of the season. I’d still bet on NC making the playoffs, but it’s not at all impossible to see them struggling across the line, rather than racing ahead to seize the Shield.

Tier Two: Great Teams with Minor Danger Areas

2. Portland Thorns (60%)

Why they’ll finish second: Portland lost a few key players, but has done a lot to make up for it. Andressinha is already good, and surrounded by quality teammates might be on the verge turning into a superstar. Midge Purce could be a huge addition, adding pace and a wide attacking edge. Carpenter, the 17-year-old Australian, is an exciting young talent. And so on. Ultimately, the strength of this team is similar to North Carolina: they can probably survive a few bumps in the road without seriously derailing their season.

Why I might be wrong: There’s enough talent on this team to blow the doors off the opposition. So it wouldn’t shock me to see them take the pole position all season. On the other hand, there are a lot more uncertainties here than they’d probably like. Their setup leans quite heavily on getting strong seasons from players up and down the spine. A long absence from Lindsey Horan could leave them pretty weak in the center of the pitch. Any serious problems with either of the starting center backs could expose the backline. And while there’s a lot of potential in the attack, they don’t really have a surefire goal-scorer. If the offense sputters a bit, and the defense is less solid, Portland suddenly starts to look a bit more ordinary. It would be surprising to see them miss the playoffs, but it wouldn’t be shocking.

3. Seattle Reign (60%)

Why they’ll finish third: Washington is clearly the most improved team this year, but in any normal offseason, the Seattle makeover would be the one that had everyone raving. They acquired two top-level veteran defenders (Megan Oyster and Yael Averbuch), one of the world’s best fullbacks (Steph Catley), a world-class striker (Jodie Taylor), a useful USWNT fringe player (Allie Long), some fantastic depth options (Morgan Andrews, Elizabeth Addo, Christen Westphal), and held onto players like Jess Fishlock, Megan Rapinoe, and Nahomi Kawasumi. Put it together and you have a roster that rivals anyone in the league. Oh, and while they lost Laura Harvey, they replaced her with Vlatko Andonovski, probably the only other comparable coaching talent in the league. It’s still an open question how they manage to put it all together, and it’s not unreasonable to expect some problems as they get started. But this is a very good team.

Why I might be wrong: My prediction puts a lot of faith in Andonovski’s ability to get everything working together. There was a lot of turnover in the roster, and it might not all fit together easily. Further, for all their depth in most positions, the midfield could be a little shaky. If Fishlock were to miss significant time, I’m not sure they have a viable replacement. If the team gels, they could win the league. If not, they find themselves trapped in a bunch of drab 1-1 draws, and end up seeing the playoffs slip just past their grip.

4. Chicago Red Stars (55%)

Why they’ll finish fourth: Losing Christen Press is a huge problem, unless you can manage to replace her with Sam Kerr. That’s particularly true since Kerr seems to fit Rory Dames’s style better than Press ever did. Given that, and given the continuity everywhere else in the roster, it feels like Chicago are in good position to do at least as well as they did last year. However, there are a couple mitigating factors. First, despite all the talent on the roster, Chicago just weren’t actually all that good last year. They made the playoffs, but with a goal difference of just +3. Do that again this year and they could very easily miss out. Second, many of their competitors have improved a lot, making this a bit of a Red Queen race—where you have to run faster just to stay even. Third, Chicago’s luck with injuries for most of last season seems to have truly worn off. They dragged a lot at the end of 2017 and come into 2018 with a host of new ailments. Put it all together and you’ve got a great team which should be fine, but which would be devastated by the loss of Kerr or Julie Ertz.

Why I might be wrong: Sam Kerr is probably the best striker on the planet right now. Put her into a team with a rock-solid defensive unit, and that’s a recipe for a bunch of 1-0 victories. And if Dames can get his offense moving again, they could be truly explosive. On the other side, while it’s pretty hard to see Chicago really struggling this year, there are a lot of good teams in the league. Merely being good might not be enough to make the playoffs this year.

5. Orlando Pride (50%)

Why they’ll finish fifth: Orlando are probably the highest-variance team in the league. It’s very easy to see them blowing teams away and finishing first. It’s also not too difficult to imagine an injury to Marta or Morgan causing the wheels to come off. Remember how much this team struggled at the start of 2017? That could easily happen again. They had a fine offseason, but probably didn’t do as much to improve as some of the other teams around them. In particular, they still have a shockingly weak midfield. They got away with it last year because Marta is Marta. But time marches on relentlessly, and even Marta will eventually start to fade. If that happens this year, it’s hard to see Orlando having enough bite in the midfield to make the playoffs.

Why I might be wrong: I’ve got them fifth, but only 10% worse odds to make the playoffs than the team in second, so it’s important not to overstate their weakness. It wouldn’t be remotely surprising to see Orlando win the league. If Marta and Morgan don’t lose a step, if Krieger continues to be a great defender, if the supplemental players continue to improve, this is a team that no one will want to play.

Tier Three: Lots of Holes, Lots of Potential

6. Washington Spirit (35%)

Why they’ll finish sixth: The Spirit are by far the most-improved team this offseason, having added most of the young USWNT core and a long-time starter for the Canadian team as well. Moreover, they should also improve simply by virtue of escaping from the injury hellhole that defined their 2017. That said, while this team projects to become terrifyingly good sometime very soon, they’re probably not quite there yet. Their attackers are as good as anyone in the league, but it’s still unclear how they’ll actually play together. With a roster this young, it wouldn’t be unexpected to see some growing pains.

But the real danger area is the defense. It’s possible that Rebecca Quinn will be a top-class center back, that Estelle Johnson will play out of her skin, that Meggie Dougherty-Howard will thrive at right back, that Caprice Dydasco will reach her full potential, and that Whitney Church will be primarily a depth option at center back. It’s also possible that Quinn struggles with the physicality of the league, Johnson struggles with her footwork, Dougherty-Howard can’t supply the pace and precision from outside, Dydasco never quite fulfills her promise, and Church is a regular starter. There’s a ton of variance in this team, but unless they can plug some of these gaps, they’ve probably got too many flaws to make the playoffs.

Why I might be wrong: The defense could be even worse than expected. Rose Lavelle might miss tons of time. Their rookie core might take a while to find their feet. There’s basically no chance they’ll be as bad as last year, but it might be asking too much for them to make major improvements now. On the other side, maybe the youth revolution starts firing on all cylinders. Maybe Lavelle is as dazzling as we all hope, Andi Sullivan is a rock in the midfield, and the ridiculous wealth of attackers are enough to overwhelm any defensive frailty. If this team plays to its full potential, they could win the Shield. I’m not saying that is likely to happen; I’m just saying it’s possible.

7. Utah Royals (30%)

Why they’ll finish seventh: Because there are six teams that look better than them. Honestly, that’s really it. There’s nothing wrong with this team, and any squad coached by Laura Harvey is hard to bet against. They just don’t look to have quite as much talent as the six teams I’ve got above them. A lot of that depends on whether they get peak, healthy performances from Becky Sauerbrunn and Amy Rodriguez. Those two performing at their 2015 levels would do a lot to push this team into the playoffs. Even then, there are still some places where this roster looks a little more functional more than it looks dominant.

Why I might be wrong: If Kelley O’Hara is a game-changer and ignites the Utah attack. If Harvey makes a vintage Harvey international signing in June to solidify the team. If Sauerbrunn is a rock in defense. If Rodriguez is a maestro in the attack. If players like Laddish, Kelly, Scott, and Matheson are given a chance to shine. If new acquisitions like Elise Thorsnes and Katrina Gorry acclimate quickly. None of those things would be particularly surprising, and if a few happen, this team starts to look a lot better.

8. Sky Blue FC (25%)

Why they’ll finish eighth: Because it will take most of the season to find the balance they’re looking for. This is a very young roster, and has undergone quite a lot of turnover. Like many teams in the league, they’re ridiculously overstuffed with attackers, but far too light on solid defenders. I do think that the personnel is flexible and talented enough to overcome the apparent liabilities; I just think it will take a while to get things sorted out. In the meantime, this looks like a maddeningly inconsistent team, who will play the first-place team off the pitch one week, only to fall on their face against a last-place team the next.

Why I might be wrong: I make it a point not to bet against Carli Lloyd. For all her flaws, she appears to be an exceptional lead-by-example player. If she is motivated and finds a vein of form, she could help turn the team’s transformation into overdrive. And while the team’s structure doesn’t make a ton of sense on paper, Sky Blue is chock full of massively underrated players. If they are able to find a formation that capitalizes on Lloyd, which lets the young legs do the running around her, and which compensates for the weakness they’ll inevitably suffer in the central midfield, this could be a genuinely great team.

Tier Four: Sigh…

9. Houston Dash (5%)

Why they’ll finish ninth: I already wrote several pieces on Houston, so I won’t belabor the point much here. They’ll finish last because their roster is (much) weaker than everyone else in the league, because their front office isn’t going to do anything to fix those problems, and because it’s exceptionally hard to stay motivated when you’re surrounded by institutional decay.

Why I might be wrong: The problems with the Dash are mostly upstairs. By all accounts, the players and coaches are giving it 100%, and there is a lot to be said for a strong team mentality. If everyone is pulling in the same direction, and if the organizational plans are well-defined, teams that look fairly weak on paper can turn in some impressive results. It would be genuinely shocking if Houston was good enough to make the playoffs, but a solid sixth place performance shouldn’t be seen as impossible.

Portland Thorns Preview: What Do You Get For a Team that Has Everything?

Posted on by RJ Allen

It’s easy to forget, but 2017 started out as a pretty difficult year for the Thorns. Tobin Heath was out almost all season after an all time year for club and country in 2016. It put a wrench in their attacking plans and they stumbled around a bit lost in the early part of the season but they ended up closing out the season with nine wins from ten and winning the championship. They learned how to defend as a unit, letting in the least goals over the course of the season of any team, and former bench players stepped up to make a name for themselves. Portland, historically a team of superstars, became a team of players with a point to make. 

Head Coach: Mark Parsons

2017 record: 14-5-5, 2nd in the league.

Projected Starting XI:
Caitlin Foord was meant to be the new attacking addition that would make Portland’s offense tick. No one, however, does exactly what Foord does, and since she is projected to be injured for most of the season, expect Portland to rely on pushing their fullbacks forward to generate offense, perhaps morphing permanently into the back three that was hinted at last season.

Goalkeeper: Adrianna Franch
Defense: Midge Purce, Katherine Reynolds, Emily Sonnett, Emily Menges, Meghan Klingenburg
Midfield: Lindsay Horan, Andressinha
Forwards: Hayley Raso, Christine Sinclair, Tobin Heath

Player you should know: Have you heard of Christine Sinclair, second all-time international goal scorer, most-capped Canadian international by a lot, and Portland legend? The veteran striker has been making adjustments to her game since she can’t just race past players at will anymore, dropping deeper and directing attacks, and she still looks like one of the best players on the field. Appreciate her ability and her vision before she calls time on an incredible career.

Under the radar: It’s almost a cliche to describe Emily Menges as underrated at this point, but until she gets a serious look in the national team, it will keep being true. The longest-serving member of an athletic and well-drilled backline that let in the fewest goals in the league last season, Menges is often tasked with cleaning up after players who get caught up the pitch. She’s rarely caught out of position, and when she is, she has the recovery speed and the tenacity to make decisive tackles anyway.

Biggest off-season acquisition: Andressinha. The Brazilian international midfielder acquired in a trade with Houston arrives as one of the top attacking players in the NWSL with excellent passing ability and a strong shot from outside the box. Where she will fit into a team that is flush with attacking midfielders is yet to be determined (she has played defensive midfield for Houston before), but once she gets on the same page as Heath and Sinclair, the Thorns might be able to play rings around their opponents.

Biggest rival: Traditionally Seattle, although in recent years games against North Carolina have been feisty enough to elevate the Courage to equal rivals in the eyes of many fans.

Most memorable moment from 2017: A 4-1 demolition of the Orlando Pride in the playoff semifinals at home, where the Thorns went up 2-0 in 20 minutes. They were creative in possession in the first half and ripped Orlando apart on the counterattack once their lead was solidified. It was one of their few complete performances in the league during a season largely defined by defending.

Why they’re the team to watch in 2018: They lost their European contingent in the off-season, but other than that, this is a team that has seen very little change for two seasons and won silverware in both. Despite those successes, however, this team still feels like it has a lot to prove. They won last year, but relied heavily on a strong defense, and provided little of the slick offense that the team wants to play. Can they be the first team to win the Shield and the Championship in the same year? Other teams at the top keep getting better, so it won’t be easy.

Predicted finish: 3rd. The Thorns will remain defensively strong and will retain their ability to shut down games, but the rest of the league is improving on offense and the Thorns, due to unfortunate circumstances, are standing still.

Success depends on: Will they stay healthy? Tobin Heath spent virtually all of last season injured and new acquisition Caitlin Foord—who was expected to be the lynchpin on the forward line—is going to spend most of this season injured. Last year the team went through a few games without being able to fill their bench, and this is a year with a heavier international schedule. Rotation players such as Celeste Boureille, Meg Morris, Midge Purce, and Mallory Weber will have to step up and play a big role.

Fun prediction: Look for Emily Sonnett to do some playmaking from the backline. It’s something she worked on when away at the W-League, and for a team without a clear starting defensive midfielder, she could well be in line to play as the league’s first libero. Fans of wildly attacking centerbacks, rejoice.

Sky Blue FC Preview: This is Jersey

Posted on by RJ Allen

It’s preseason preview time, and I have the honor of covering Sky Blue FC. This is by no means your ordinary, run-of-the-mill NWSL team. They don’t play in a huge stadium. They don’t have fluffy bathrobes in their locker rooms (as far as I know). And they don’t rep a major city. They rep a whole state: Jersey.

What they do have is a loyal fan base, a welcoming supporters group, and a whole lot of talent. And they wouldn’t want it any other way. So put on some Bruce Springsteen, sit back, relax, and let me tell you a little bit about the bad-ass football club that resides in Piscataway.

Head Coach: Denise Reddy

2017 Record: 10-11-3 (33 points), sixth place in the league

Projected Starting XI: To some extent, it’s a mystery, considering the number of roster changes they made in the offseason, the number of players they invited to preseason camp, and the amount of attacking talent they have on their roster currently. What I do know is that you can guarantee Carli Lloyd will be out on that pitch at the start of the match, and that Kailen Sheridan will be hanging out in goal. Other than that, your guess is as good as mine.

But if I was forced to give you a lineup, then how about this:

Goalkeeper: Kailen Sheridan
Defenders: Christina Gibbons, Mandy Freeman, Erica Skroski, Rebekah Stott
Midfielders: Daphne Corboz, Raquel Rodriguez, Sarah Killion
Forwards: Carli Lloyd, Janine Beckie, Shea Groom

Player you should know: Carli Lloyd (if you don’t already know her then I will direct you to the first half of the 2015 World Cup Final)

Under the radar: Madison Tiernan—she’s a workhorse, unafraid of physical play or a hard tackle, and game for whatever the team needs. She went to school at Rutgers, so she is a bit of a home-crowd favorite. Word on the street is that her dad, Big Joe as he is affectionately called, has some of the best tailgates before the Sky Blue home matches.

Biggest offseason acquisition: There were a lot of them, but I’m thinking Carli Lloyd takes the cake on this one.

Biggest rival: It isn’t the most intense rivalry, but I would have to say the Washington Spirit. Last season Washington, who ended in dead last, had Sky Blue’s number ever time they met. Accompany that with their close proximity with one another, and there is an extra notch of gamesmanship that gets added to their matches. 

Most memorable moment from 2017: The 5-4 come-from-behind win against Seattle. Sky Blue was down 0-3, but with second half heroics from Sam Kerr, Jersey prevailed with a magnificent stoppage time header. And yes, Sam Kerr is no longer on Sky Blue, but that fight—that never-say-die attitude—surely has not left the team. They are proud, and they are strong, and they will most definitely still bet on themselves even when the chips are down.

Why they’re the team to watch in 2018: Because you can never quite count them out, and they are frequently underestimated. Sky Blue is the type of team that can be amazingly entertaining to watch, and part of that is because you never know what you are going to get from them. The other part is because they are amazingly talented, incredibly humble, and quite proud to represent the team that they do.

Predicted finish: Some say middle of the pack. Some say bottom of the table. But like I said before, they are frequently underestimated.

Success depends on: If they can field a solid, working back line. And if they can come up with a strategy for how to use the plethora of attacking talent that they possess.

Fun prediction: Denise Reddy accepts the nickname “D-Nice,” Sheridan has 15 clean sheets, and Big Joe adds a chocolate fountain to his tailgate.

Chicago Red Stars Preview: This Could Be Their Year

Posted on by RJ Allen

The Chicago Red Stars are that team that always gets to the playoffs but never gets to the finals. They have historically had one of the top midfields in the league, but when push comes to shove, they always wilt in the biggest moments of the season. 

This offseason saw some big moves, including the departure of longtime players like Jen Hoy and Christen Press and the arrival of some new names—Sam Kerr most famously. That might finally give the Red Stars the push they need to make it to the big dance. 

Head Coach: Rory Dames

2017 record: 11-6-7 (39 points), fourth in the league

Projected Starting XI:
Goalkeeper: Alyssa Naeher
Defenders: Arin Gilliland, Katie Naughton, Sam Johnson, Casey Short
Midfielders: Danielle Colaprico, Vanessa DiBernardo, Julie Ertz
Forwards: Yūki Nagasato, Sofia Huerta, Sam Kerr

Player you should know: Sam Kerr. While she is brand new to the Red Stars, she is well known to fans of the league, or of the women’s game in general. She’s arguably the best in the world right now, so watch for her to make a big and immediate impact on the team as soon as she hits the pitch.

Under the radar: Danielle Colaprico. Colaprico is the type of player that makes everyone around her better. She does all of the little things right, and occasionally pitches in on the big things, too. Without her the Red Stars would be a little dimmer.

Biggest offseason acquisition: Sam Kerr, by far.

Biggest rival: FC Kansas City had been the historical and geographical rival of the Red Stars. But when it comes to playoffs, the Red Stars have bad blood with both the Washington Spirit and the North Carolina Courage. After beating North Carolina repeatedly during the regular season, they fell just short in the playoffs, in a very physical game. Look out for the Red Stars-Courage matchup to feature some hard-fought games this year.

Most memorable moment from 2017: Losing to North Carolina Courage in the 89th minute in the semifinals.

Why they’re the team to watch in 2018: The Red Stars have made the semifinals for the last three years. Adding Sam Kerr, Nikki Stanton, and some solid contributors in the college and dispersal drafts should put them  near the top of the contender’s list.

Predicted finish: Second, behind the North Carolina Courage.

Success depends on: Three things need to go right for the Red Stars in 2018 to get them in the playoffs. 1) They need to make sure Colaprico, Vanessa DiBernardo and USWNT star Julie Ertz stay healthy and in control of the midfield. 2) Sam Kerr needs the support to let her flourish. 3) The back line need to find the same page as Alyssa Naeher and stay there.

Fun prediction: Julie Ertz will lead the NWSL in goals off of headers in 2018.

Orlando Pride Preview: Ready For Year Three

Posted on by RJ Allen

Another NWSL season is almost upon us, and it seems like it’s going to be a pretty good year for the Orlando Pride. The Orlando Pride are entering their third season in the NWSL, and are starting the season with arguably their strongest roster yet. They finished third place last season, and went out in the first round of the playoffs after losing 4-1 to the Portland Thorns on the road. This season, they will look to improve the narrative. On the list of objectives will be to reduce the number of penalties they give up, keep the pressure on for a full 90 minutes, and of course, finally defeat the Portland Thorns.

Head Coach: Tom Sermanni

2017 record: 11-6-7, third place in the league

Projected Starting XI: For this preview, I did two projections because the Pride will be missing a few players on opening day to international duty. I formatted it as a 4-3-3, which was the favored formation last season. Sermanni could also switch to a 4-4-2, or get more experimental with the lineups, but this seemed like a safe place to start. My opening day prediction is: 

Goalkeeper: Ashlyn Harris

Defenders: Ali Krieger, Monica, Shelina Zadorsky, Carson Pickett

Midfielders: Christine Nairn, Marta, Dani Weatherholt

Forwards: Sydney Leroux, Alex Morgan, Rachel Hill

There are only a few changes I would make for a starting XI with a full and healthy roster. Marta can play up top or in the midfield, but considering Sermanni’s options, I think that Sermanni moves Marta up top in place of Rachel Hill and puts Alanna Kennedy and Emily van Egmond in the midfield. I also think he might move the defense around a bit, placing Poliana in as a fullback and moving Krieger back to the central defense. So, my full and healthy starting XI prediction is: 

Goalkeeper: Ashlyn Harris

Defenders: Poliana, Ali Krieger, Shelina Zadorsky, Carson Pickett

Midfielders: Alanna Kennedy, Christine Nairn, Emily van Egmond

Forwards: Sydney Leroux, Alex Morgan, Marta

Player you should know: Marta is a player that lives up to her hype. After joining the Pride last season, she finished the year as one of the top players in the league—with 13 goals, she was the second-highest scorer, behind Sam Kerr, and also notched six assists—and is always a force to be reckoned with on the pitch. She can easily be the difference maker. 

Under the Radar: 24-year-old Australian international Emily Van Egmond is a strong acquisition for the Pride this offseason. She played at VfL Wolfsburg until October 2017 and then played with the Newcastle Jets in the W-League. This will be her second stint in the NWSL, having played with the Chicago Red Stars in 2014 and the Seattle Reign in 2013. Look for her to have a big impact in midfield.

Biggest offseason acquisition: The Pride had a ferocious attack last season, but their defense struggled at times. The acquisition of Canadian defender Shelina Zadorsky from the Washington Spirit is a major boost to the backline, and adds another international name to the Pride roster. Zadorsky also has experience playing with Krieger, which will help create better chemistry and stability on the defense.

Biggest rival: The Pride’s biggest rival is the Portland Thorns. Although it’s a one-way rivalry, this seems like one of the biggest hurdles for the Pride. They opened their inaugural NWSL season in Portland and lost. They made it to the playoffs in their second season, traveled to Portland, and lost. The Pride have never defeated the Thorns, and that’s definitely a task on the mind of Tom Sermanni and some of the veteran Pride players. 

Most memorable moment from 2017: The home match against Sky Blue in August, where the Pride won 5-0. The Pride dominated the match, with two goals from Alex Morgan, two goals from Marta, and Dani Weatherholt’s first career goal. It was also Maddy Evans’s last appearance of her career, and she nearly put in a sixth for the Pride before she came off.

Why they’re the team to watch in 2018: The Pride already had a stacked roster last season, and they’ve only improved during the offseason. With the acquisition of big-name talent like Sydney Leroux, Christine Nairn, and Shelina Zadorsky, among others, the Pride have an opportunity to step up in a big way. They are also coming off a playoff season. They will seek to build on that momentum.

Predicted finish: With a lot of talent in the league this season, it’s difficult to predict exactly where the chips will fall. I predict that the Pride will be on the playoff border, potentially sliding into the third or fourth place slot. They will hang towards the top half of the table, but I don’t think they’re quite the best of the best.

Success depends on: They have an unbelievable offense. Their key to winning is the defense. They brought in a lot of talent over the offseason, but they have to make sure those players have chemistry and that they can work out one of the Pride’s biggest issues: giving up penalties. 

Fun prediction: The Pride will finally beat the Portland Thorns.

Washington Spirit Preview: The Future is Bright

Posted on by RJ Allen

Alright DMV—it’s your turn for a preseason preview for your very own Washington Spirit. There is a lot to get excited for this year, and for years to come. The roster is young, the talent is fierce, and the beer garden is waiting for you at the SoccerPlex. So without further ado, let’s get to know a little bit about the team that represents our nation’s capitol (and VA and MD too).

Head Coach: Jim Gabarra

2017 Record: 5-15-4, last in the league

Projected Starting XI: There are a lot of moving parts to the Spirit, especially after their eventful offseason, so they could mix it up a bit. But the lineup could look a little bit like this:

Goalkeeper: Aubrey Bledsoe

Defense: Taylor Smith, Estelle Johnson, Rebecca Quinn, Caprice Dydasco

Midfield: Estefanía Banini, Tori Huster, Andi Sullivan, Rose Lavelle

Forwards: Ashley Hatch, Mallory Pugh

Player you should know: Mallory Pugh—she is the USWNT kid wonder at 19 years of age.

Under the radar: Estelle Johnson, because she has the most clinically beautiful sliding tackle that has ever happened in the history of the game.

Biggest offseason acquisition: There are so many to choose from. It’s like Sophie’s Choice. But I think I have to go Ashley Hatch on this one. She is the 2017 NWSL Rookie of the Year, a W-League champion, and she is primed to have a phenomenal 2018 season.

Biggest rival: This year I believe new rivalries will be born for Washington, but there is always a certain level of angst when they play Sky Blue FC. This year it’ll be made even better considering Denise Reddy left her assistant coaching gig with the Spirit for the head coaching position in Jersey.

Most memorable moment from 2017: The 2017 season wasn’t one that Spirit fans are eager to relive. There were a lot of injuries, and some tough matches played. But they also had some hard-earned wins mixed in, like their 1-0 grind against Portland in June.

Why they’re the team to watch in 2018: You want to see the future of the USWNT? Take a look at Washington’s roster—Mallory Pugh, Ashley Hatch, Andi Sullivan, Rose Lavelle, Taylor Smith. Who wouldn’t want to watch?

Predicted finish: Some may disagree, but I would argue near the top of the table. Yeah, I’m calling it—they’re going to the playoffs.

Success depends on: Whether they can harness all of that young talent and morph it into the poetry in motion that all of those women are capable of on the field.

Fun prediction: Mallory Pugh, Ashley Hatch, Andi Sullivan, and Rose Lavelle join forces and become a young adult crime-fighting super team. I can see it now—there will be high-speed chases, bad guys put away, and super suits.