Tag: Chicago Red Stars

Come What May: 5 Matches to Watch Next Month

Posted on by RJ Allen

April is coming to an end, my friends. And the first full month of NWSL action has not disappointed. We had some unlikely draws, a few sparks of magic, and an excessive amount of PKs in my opinion. Yes, April was a fine month, but looking ahead to May should get us all very excited as well. So this week I have outlined five matches coming up next month that you should tune in and watch. I challenged all you lovely NWSL fans earlier in the season to watch a game that you had no stake in. Most likely, one of these will fit that bill. So sit back, relax, and let’s see what we have to look forward to in the upcoming month.

  1. May 5: Seattle Reign FC at Portland Thorns

            Who doesn’t like to celebrate their Cinco de Mayo with a rivalry game? This match, held at Providence Park, is the Lifetime game of the week, being played at 3:30 ET. Seattle and Portland have a long history of confrontation, and probably the most well known rivalry in the league. Because of their close proximity, it is almost impossible for the two teams to not form a bit of gamesmanship between each other. And the fans? Oh, they love to talk a little smack to the opposing side. So get ready to see a packed house that may get a little loud and unruly. Also, this will be the first time Allie Long will be back in Providence Park since being traded to Seattle for the rights of Australian international, Caitlin Foord. How will her welcome back be? Tune in to see.

  1. May 5: Houston Dash at Sky Blue FC

            Once you are done with the Seattle/Portland match on the 5th, take another shot of tequila and turn your attention to go90 to watch what I am affectionately calling ‘The Battle at the Bottom.’ The Houston Dash travel to New Jersey to see if they can get the win over their former teammate, Carli Lloyd, and the women of Sky Blue. These two teams are currently camped out at the bottom of the table and definitely still have some kinks to work out. Both will undoubtedly be looking to have this game change their momentum and get them back to their winning ways.

  1. May 9: Orlando Pride at Utah Royals FC

            One thing is probably certain in this world. Utah, and Becky Sauerbrunn’s face, cannot wait to have a rematch against Orlando on May 9. After their season opener, which ended in a draw, and a very controversial hand ball call, Utah is looking to set the record straight and take their three points from the Pride. Orlando, on the other hand, is looking to gain some momentum with a full roster, including the Brazilian and Australian internationals they have been missing as of late.

  1. May 19: Chicago Red Stars at Seattle Reign FC

            Seattle has been looking good lately as a team. They look solid. And with the assistance of Megan Rapinoe, they are extremely creative with the ball. But what happens when that creativity is up against the likes of a dynamic offense that is looking to show what their offseason acquisition, Sam Kerr, can do? Well, the result could be exhilarating to behold. I am recommending this game as one to watch for the month of May because it will potentially give the viewers some great things to cheer for—fantastic midfield work, quick transitional attacks, and two of the greatest finishers currently playing the game. What wouldn’t a soccer fan like about this match?

  1. May 30: North Carolina Courage at Portland Thorns

            Rounding out the month we have a fantastic grudge match. A redo of week one, and of the 2017 NWSL Championship. The Thorns got to hang the banner after the final, but the Courage took the first match between the two this season. So what happens when the Courage travel to Providence Park? Does the momentum swing back in Portland’s favor? We can’t know for sure, but one thing we can probably bank on is that there is going to be a lot of heated physical play from the two teams, and a lot of world-class soccer on display. Is there a better way to end the month? I don’t think so.

So there you have it, my friends—five matches you should check out next month. No matter who you cheer for, these matches should be entertaining to watch. And who knows, you may just find yourself on the edge of your seat, shouting at your television over a couple teams that aren’t necessarily your favorite. But don’t worry, it doesn’t make you any less of a fan for your own team.

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.

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.

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.

Get Hyped: 5 Things to be Excited for This NWSL Season

Posted on by RJ Allen

Alright, my friends, let’s just say it how it is. This off-season has been rough for the NWSL. I think the majority of us will agree to that. We lost a team, we had some really weird coaching shakeups (looking at you, Laura Harvey), and we still have no schedule even though it’s only a little over a month until the first match. To say things went less than ideally in the off-season is an understatement. And for some fans, this may have been a rather discouraging time. Maybe a trade didn’t go your way, maybe you lost your home club, or maybe you have been trying to plan a west coast road trip that centers around going to a Thorns game and somehow you still don’t know what weeks they are playing at home.

Whatever the reason, I get it. I empathize with you. But I also want to get excited with you. Because even despite all this crap that has been happening since October, there is still a lot to look forward to in this new season. There is a lot to get hyped about. Here are just five of those reasons:

1. Roster Shakeups = Better Rivalries

Maybe you cried when Sam Kerr went to Chicago, or when Harvey decided to end her long-time run in Seattle. Maybe you shouted out expletives when you received a text that Houston had traded yet another international player away. Or maybe you very publicly willed the Ashley Hatch trade into existence by saying on The Scouting Report podcast that she wasn’t going anywhere for at least a year.

Whatever the trade is that shocked your world, you have to admit that it is going to make a few games very interesting. Because big times trades help create even more intense rivalries. They create grudge matches. They get the fans more into the game. And all of those things create an exciting atmosphere for a fan, player, or coach. Come on Seattle, you know you want to pulverize Utah at your first meeting. Chicago, I know you are looking to come back at North Carolina for your semi-finals loss with your newly-formed attacking arsenal that includes a touch more Australian magic. Those games are going to be great—regardless of whether the trade went your way.

2. The New Team Making Big Moves

No matter which club you support, you probably have a pretty strong opinion about the Utah Royals. Everyone feels a certain kind of way about them, whether it is good or bad.

They came into the league in a big way, with a big announcement—one that was a little premature, considering they didn’t even have a team name. But they had a big name coach. And then they made some big-time trades. And then all of a sudden, Utah Royals FC were a force to be reckoned with, playing in a world-class stadium, and asking no one for permission or forgiveness for their abrupt entry into the women’s soccer world. It’s moves like that which cause everyone to sit up and take notice. It causes all of us to want to tune in, whether it is to see them excel, or to root for their demise. No matter what, they are something to look forward to, and that is something that no one can deny.

3. Young Washington

There are a lot of people who, only a few months ago, made the accusation that the Washington Spirit had no game plan. People said that they didn’t know what they were doing. Well, look at ’em now! Washington played the long game with some young players: drafting hometown hero Andi Sullivan, and then fighting for their shot to get Rose Lavelle in the Breakers dispersal draft. That’s on top of Mallory Pugh, Ashley Hatch, and Taylor Smith.

So yeah…I’m thinking Washington definitely has a game plan now. And maybe that game plan won’t be perfected this season, but there is something about this team that definitely has the same sort of flair that the Baby Bombers gave to Yankees fans last season. It’s hope, and excitement, and a damn good touch on the ball. Mark your calendars for their matches (when the schedule is released)—they are not a team you are going to want to miss.

[media-credit name=”Leanne Keator” align=”alignnone” width=”1000″][/media-credit]

4. The Prodigal Daughter Returns

On January 19th a three-team blockbuster trade deal sent Carli Lloyd back to her home state of New Jersey. Lots of people had lots of different feelings about it. And I have to say that I was quite skeptical about how this trade benefited Sky Blue. But Becca Kimble, one of my Scouting Report co-hosts, pointed out to me that Carli Lloyd of Sky Blue is in no way the Carli Lloyd of Houston. And she is absolutely correct.

Last season, Lloyd spent the majority of her time either injured or playing for Manchester City (not that I can blame her—that team is insanely talented). But that made it difficult for a fan, or herself, to get too pumped about her time in the NWSL. When the trade happened, though, she was the Carli Lloyd that everyone always wants her to be: happy, excited, and pumped to play the game. She is back in Jersey working in the community and giving keynote speeches to youth athletes. She was one of the only top-tier players to take to social media to welcome her new teammates from the former Breakers roster.

And to top it all off, she is insanely proud that she gets to play for her home crowd again. She is practically shouting it from the rooftops, and that is something that every Sky Blue fans should get excited about it. Everyone else should get excited because when Carli Lloyd is happy, working hard, and playing well… well, she’s Carli Lloyd. I don’t have to explain that to you.

5. We Get To Start Earlier

I think the only reason I have not written a strongly worded letter to the NWSL about the schedule not being released is the fact that we get to start watching the beautiful game three weeks earlier than last season. And that is definitely something that we should get excited about. Because despite all of the bush league-style things that have happened this off-season—the unfortunate last-minute folding of Boston, the poorly-timed movement of FC Kansas City to Utah, or the atrociously-explained situation where Harvey and Vlatko just switched rosters—the bad juju that has been written all over this off-season will come to a close a little sooner than expected.

And I don’t know about you guys, but for me, there is nothing as agonizing as the long wait in between the final whistle of a championship and the first whistle to start the season. I’ve had the W-League to tide me over, but it just isn’t the same. Especially when we still have so many questions looming around us—questions like, “When are Portland’s home games this season, so I can plan this road trip? What was that job Laura Harvey took with USSF? And who in the hell is the NWSL Commissioner?”

Some answers we may never know. What we do know: the wait is almost over. So buy some new swag and get your go90 and Lifetime accounts ready to go—games are only a little more than a month away!

In closing, I’ll say this: Sometimes it is extremely difficult to be a women’s soccer fan. Crazy things happen that would be unimaginable in other leagues. There is an instability that can permanently keep us on edge. And the hunger to achieve an equal playing field can seem extremely daunting.

But despite these facts, there is still a lot to be excited about. There is Alex Morgan on the pitch, and Vera Pauw on the sidelines, and a perfectly crossed Carson Pickett ball into the box—those things that put a smile on our faces and command us to keep watching. To keep cheering. And to keep fighting to make this league better.

These are still early times for this league. There are still some things that will happen in the future to irritate us or make us angry. But with all of that, comes all of those things that excite us too. And the 2018 season will be no different. It will get us to stand from our seats. And it will undoubtedly make us cheer. So get hyped, my friends! 2018 is the NWSL is going to be a good one.

NWSL Teams Announce End-of-Season Roster And Contract Updates

Posted on by RJ Allen

All ten National Women’s Soccer League teams have announced their roster and contract updates following the 2017 NWSL season.

Here are the updated rosters:

Boston Breakers

Contract Option Exercised: Abby Smith, Sammy Jo Prudhomme, Megan Oyster, Julie King, Amanda Frisbie, Rosie White, Morgan Andrews, Adriana Leon, Natasha Dowie, Ifeoma Onumonu, Margaret Purce, Hayley Dowd

New Contract Offered: Brooke Elby, Christen Westphal, Angela Salem. Tiffany Weimer, Katie Stengel

Federation Players: Allysha Chapman, Rose Lavelle

Chicago Red Stars

Contract Option Exercised: Danielle Colaprico, Taylor Comeau, Michele Dalton, Arin Gilliland, Sarah Gorden, Summer Green, Jen Hoy, Sofia Huerta, Samantha Johnson. Lauren Kaskie, Alyssa Mautz, Stephanie McCaffrey, Yuki Nagasato, Katie Naughton

New Contract Offered: Vanessa DiBernardo

Federation Players: Morgan Brian, Julie Ertz, Christen Press, Casey Short

FC Kansas City

Contract Option Exercised: Yael Averbuch, Christina Gibbons, Sydney Miramontez, Caroline Flynn, Mandy Laddish, Shea Groom, Maegan Kelly, Brittany Ratcliffe

New Contract Offered: Alex Arlitt, Becca Moros, Brittany Kolmel (nee Taylor), Katie Bowen. Lo’eau LaBonta, Alexa Newfield, Erika Tymrak, Nicole Barnhart, Cat Parkhill

Federation Players: Desiree Scott, Amy Rodriguez, Sydney Leroux, Becky Sauerbrunn

Houston Dash

Contract Option Exercised: Bruna Benites, Jane Campbell, Meghan Cox, Claire Falknor, Andressinha, Kristie Mewis, Janine Van Wyk

New Contract Offered: Poliana Barbosa, Amber Brooks, Rachel Daly, Sarah Hagen, Caity Heap, Bianca Henninger, Cami Levin, Kealia Ohai, Cami Privett, Cari Roccaro

Federation Players: Janine Beckie, Carli Lloyd, Nichelle Prince

Placed on Re-Entry Wire: Kelly Conheeney

North Carolina Courage

Contract Option Exercised: Abby Dahlkemper, Debinha, Elizabeth Eddy, Abby Erceg, Kristen Hamilton, Ashley Hatch, Jaelene Hinkle, Jessica McDonald, Katelyn Rowland, Taylor Smith, Darian Jenkins. Yuri Kawamura

New Contract Offered: Makenzy Doniak, Denise O’Sullivan, Meredith Speck, Sam Witteman, McCall Zerboni

Federation Players: Sabrina D’Angelo, Samantha Mewis, Lynn Williams

Placed on Re-Entry Wire: Stephanie Ochs

Retirement: Nora Holstad

Orlando Pride

Contract Option Exercised: Aubrey Bledsoe, Camila, Nickolette Driesse, Kristen Edmonds, Danica Evans, Jamia Fields, Rachel Hill, Monica, Toni Pressley, Jasmyne Spencer

New Contract Offered: Stephanie Catley, Alanna Kennedy, Chioma Ubogagu, Dani Weatherholt

Federation Players: Ashlyn Harris, Ali Krieger, Alex Morgan

Placed on Re-Entry Wire: McKenzie Berryhill, Jocelyn Blankenship, Jordan O’Brien

Under Contract: Marta

Portland Thorns FC

Contract Option Exercised: Ashleigh Sykes, Tyler Lussi, Savannah Jordan, Emily Menges

New Contract Offered: Adrianna Franch, Britt Eckerstrom, Katherine Reynolds, Celeste Boureille, Dagny Brynjardottir, Meg Morris, Hayley Raso, Mallory Weber

Federation Players: Christine Sinclair, Tobin Heath, Allie Long, Meghan Klingenberg, Emily Sonnett

Placed on Re-Entry Wire: Kendall Johnson

Leaving the Club: Amandine Henry (Olympique Lyon), Nadia Nadim (Manchester City)

Seattle Reign FC

Contract Option Exercised: Haley Kopmeyer. Maddie Bauer. Rachel Corsie, Merritt Mathias, Kristen McNabb, Rebekah Stott, Christine Nairn, Larissa Crummer, Kiersten Dallstream, Katie Johnson, Beverly Yanez

New Contract Offered: Lauren Barnes, Carson Pickett, Jessica Fishlock, Rumi Utsugi, Nahomi Kawasumi, Lydia Williams

Federation Players: Megan Rapinoe, Diana Matheson

Retirement: Elli Reed, Madalyn Schiffel

Sky Blue FC

Contract Option Exercised: Cassidy Benitente, Mandy Freeman, Kayla Mills, Christie Pearce, Daphne Corboz, Sarah Killion, Madison Tiernan, Sam Kerr, McKenzie Meehan

New Contract Offered: Caroline Casey, Domi Richardson, Erin Simon, Erica Skroski, Taylor Lytle, Raquel Rodriguez, Nikki Stanton, Leah Galton, Maya Hayes

Federation Players: Kailen Sheridan, Kelley O’Hara

Placed on Re-Entry Wire: Tasha Kai

Washington Spirit

Contract Option Exercised: Yanara Aedo, Lindsay Agnew, Cali Farquharson, Francisca Ordega, Arielle Ship, Cheyna Williams, Estefania Banini, Meggie Dougherty Howard, Tori Huster, Joanna Lohman, Morgan Proffitt, Havana Solaun, Whitney Church, Caprice Dydasco, Estelle Johnson, Alyssa Kleiner, DiDi Haracic

New Contract Offered: Kassey Kallman, Kelsey Wys

Federation Players: Mallory Pugh, Stephanie Labbe, Shelina Zadorsky

Placed on Re-Entry Wire: Line Sigvardsen Jensen

Route Two Soccer – Evolve or Die

Posted on by RJ Allen

Kat Farris

Kat Farris

The Chicago Red Stars entered 2017 with high hopes. After several strong seasons that ended in the semifinals, this year was supposed to be their turning point. And not just in terms of results. They were going to be more flexible, would take better advantage of their talented roster, would develop and grow. But now after another disappointing semifinal result, it’s time to take a look back and see what happened to those promises.

The Big Change

There was one big change, and it was an enormously successful one. After starting the season at center back, Julie Ertz was soon moved up into the midfield, where she had an immediate impact. Ertz is a dynamic defensive player, exceptionally disruptive, and capable of initiating quick attacks after winning possession. Those skills become more valuable in a more advanced role, and Chicago used her to great effect.

In the early stages of the year, coach Rory Dames even experimented with playing Ertz in an attacking midfield role. While she is not anyone’s idea of a playmaker, her physical presence, disruptive abilities, and aggressive attacking ability all were useful in that advanced role. However, as the season progressed, she mostly played in a pure holding role, occasionally coming forward but mostly sitting back and shielding the defense.

On the whole, the Ertz experiment was a success, even as the effect seemed to diminish as the season progressed. But this wasn’t just about Ertz; the whole team seemed to wilt in the final several months, eventually stumbling into the playoffs as the 4th seed after a strong start.

Why did this happen?

The simplest answer might be injuries and fatigue. While Chicago was notable all season for the sparseness of its injury report (often listing everyone as fully healthy), it was also clear that many of those ‘fully fit’ players were actually carrying some knocks. Key players like Alyssa Naeher, Danielle Colaprico, Christen Press (just to name a few) have looked less than 100% for months. That might be due to the wear and tear of the season.

Sometimes teams just peak at the wrong time, and that might be what happened with Chicago. However, the story of Chicago’s failures shouldn’t be reduced purely to a problem with the players on the field. Because this team was also hampered by a serious lack of tactical innovation, something that became all too clear in the semifinal this weekend.

The 442 Diamond: Constraints and Limitations

Chicago spent virtually the entire season in the same tactical setup: a pinched 442 diamond, which is characterized by tucked in wide midfielders. We saw this again on Sunday, with Colaprico and Huerta (neither of whom would fit anyone’s idea of a traditional winger) playing in the wide positions.

This setup offers a very stable base and is excellent for choking off threats through the midfield. The pinched in wide players offer support, and can easily collapse on the ball when needed. And at least theoretically the diamond facilitates a short-passing midfield game. By moving away from the 442 as ‘two banks of four,’ you generate some forward impetus in attack.

However, the diamond is also severely limited. It features no true wide attackers, offloading the entire responsibility for width in the attack to the fullbacks. Of course, the modern fullback is generally expected to contribute significantly to the attack, but in most systems is given support by some form of wide attacker. In the diamond, there is no such support. That can be an advantage—since it gives your fullbacks a lot of empty space to run into—but is also a danger. Without clear partners to link up with, the fullbacks can easily become isolated. They may find it difficult to join the attack at all, which effectively condenses the team’s attacking options to a very narrow pathway down the center of the pitch.

Furthermore, the diamond also cedes wide spaces to the opponent’s attackers, to potentially devastating effect. On Sunday, North Carolina’s wide attackers (especially Taylor Smith down the right) were given endless expanses of green space to race through. With the Red Stars fullbacks stuck back in their defensive third, there was no one to stop those free runs. Casey Short did admirable work defending deep, but without her and Gilliland moving forward to join the attack, Chicago was left with a clogged midfield and nowhere else to go.

Route One Soccer with a Route Two Roster

When it works well, a diamond can give those players a chance to shine. But once countered, it offers very little flexibility. Facing off against North Carolina’s 4-2-2-2 ‘magic square,’ Chicago were deprived of space in the midfield and pressed back deep in defense. Without any real wide attackers, they could not push back Carolina’s fullbacks in order to relieve pressure.

And this was by no means the first time that Chicago has run into problems with their diamond. In fact, their persistence with this setup is one of the most baffling things about their season. For all the claims early in the year about fluidity and flexibility, they arguably were the most rigid team in the entire league.

In principle, a diamond can provide a useful staging ground for a strong midfield possession game. And at times this year, we saw the Red Stars finally seeming to produce the sort of technical soccer that has long been promised. The problem is that this depends almost entirely on the opposition’s willingness to let you play. As teams have increasingly packed the midfield and pressed their fullbacks high, Chicago’s central players have been starved of both space to operate and outlets for relief.

This is compounded by the apparent desire for Press to stay high up the pitch, rather than having her drop back to receive the ball and initiate attacks. Without her support in the midfield, passing lanes grow even more clogged, and attacks fizzle into wasted possession or costly turnovers.

Ultimately, against teams willing to adapt to circumstance, Chicago has been reduced to a caricature of their direct style. Instead of quick ball movement opening up lanes for through-balls, they are forced to resort to lumping the ball forward and hoping for knockdowns. This is hardly a good use of their resources under any circumstance and was an unmitigated disaster against North Carolina. On long ball after long ball, players like Mewis, Zerboni, Dahlkemper, and Erceg rose far above their Chicago counterparts to easily control the ball and restart their attack. It was as ineffective as it was baffling.

If Chicago were a fast, physical team with players of limited skill but maximal effort, this would make perfect sense. Route one soccer is an effective way to level the playing field against superior opposition. It allows your strong defensive unit to stay deep while giving you a modest chance at a lucky break on the attacking end.

But a team with Dani Colaprico, Vanessa DiBernardo, Christen Press, and Yuki Nagasoto in the middle of their attack has no business playing that way.

Where to Go from Here?

Chicago is blessed with an excellent roster, and much of the credit for that goes to coach Rory Dames, who has built this team up year by year. Dames was nominated for manager of the year, at least partially in recognition of that work. However, there’s a difference between assembling a top-level group of players and getting the most out of those players once you have them. And on the second front, it’s hard to say that Dames’ reign has been a success.

A team picked by many to win the Shield instead finished a distant fourth, and played one of their worst games of the season in the semifinal. And that’s not too dissimilar from what happened in 2016, either.

All in all, a team with a stacked roster and limitless potential has now spent the past two seasons barely staying above water. Over 46 games (regular season plus two semifinals) Chicago has managed a goal difference of only +5. That’s a shockingly weak result for a team filled with such good players. And it suggests that whatever the proximate causes for their poor performance in the semifinals, there are deeper issues with the team as a whole.

It would be surprising if Chicago made a coaching change in the offseason, but for the first time since the start of the NWSL, it’s no longer outside the realm of possibility. And regardless of who takes the helm in 2018, the priority will need to be significant tactical evolution. Playing direct helped turn Chicago into a playoff team, but unless they can diversify their options, they are unlikely to take the next step forward.

Off the Bench with Backline Soccer: 2017, Semi-Finals

Posted on by RJ Allen

Backline Soccer Recap:

Quick Fire Semi-Final Game Previews:

The playoffs are here and our four teams are set. After watching all four teams face off last weekend, this semi-final weekend is sure to be one for the books. Let’s take a look at the matchups. 

Game 1: Portland Thorns vs. Orlando Pride

Portland Thorns record: 14-5-5
Position: 2nd
Total Points: 47

Orlando Pride record: 11-6-7
Position: 3rd
Total Points: 40

Portland fought for the right to get the home-field advantage for the semi-finals. Will it be enough today? I imagine a very tough match for both teams but Portland has that home-side on their side. Portland tends to come out of the gate quick, possessing a lot of the ball, and trying to pressure the opposing team to make mistakes. Their key will be to not get too impatient and ahead of themselves while stringing together a full 90′. Tobin Heath is expected to start but no word yet on how many minutes she will be able to play. She has shown a bit in her last two matches but how much she is able to contribute to this match may prove key for the Thorns. Portland would do well to run their attack through Hayley Raso and make sure she gets plenty of good looks to put one away. Playing such a defensive game against Orlando a few weeks ago provided them very little opportunity at goal, where the shots on goal they did get, relied on an Orlando mistake. The defense will be tested with the attacking duo of Marta and Alex Morgan but if their defense has so far been up to the task. 

Orlando’s Alanna Kennedy pulled off a last-minute free-kick stunner to put the Pride into this semi-final matchup, which will now be one of the bigger tests of their short time in the league. The last time the Pride played the Thorns, it was probably the most physical matchup of the season. The Pride will need to not only be extremely steady on defense but also try to curb their notorious last-minute opportunities and turnovers given to the opposing side. It was also announced earlier this week that Camila would miss the playoffs with a torn ACL and sprained MCL, which is a huge loss for the Pride’s creative side, which struggles to find help outside of Marta and Camila. If they can control their game plan, they have a real shot to steal one in Portland. Their key will be figuring out a way to deal with the defensive shutdown the Thorns will most likely push them into again. What shut them out in the last match against Portland was their inability to use the width, they were forced to play too compactly. Orlando was successful against Portland with the high press but that is hard to sustain for the full 90′. If Orlando can find a way to break the Portland compacted defense and finish the shots they manage to get. This game should be quite the matchup. 

Game 2: North Carolina Courage vs. Chicago Red Stars

North Carolina Courage record: 16-7-1
Position: 1st
Total Points: 49

Chicago Red Stars record: 11-7-6
Position: 4th
Total Points: 39

North Carolina is coming into this match having not beaten Chicago yet this season. Will this match break the losing spell? For all intents and purposes, North Carolina has been the most consistent team this season and their positioning and record prove that. Their biggest problem has been finishing though. A player like Lynn Williams takes a lot of shots but lacks the finishing aspect in some ways and relies on her speed. This could work this weekend or could be a downfall. The Courage will have trouble with Chicago’s defense so they will need to do a much better chance of finishing their chances, especially earlier in the game. Sam Mewis is also expected to have another stellar game, chugging along in the midfield setting up her teammates or taking shots on her own. She will need to be on and clicking for the Courage to roll. 

Chicago has been a bit of an enigma lately but have found themselves now facing the number one team in the league for their spot in the final. They should feel pretty happy with this match-up considering their winning record but the playoffs are a different beast. Chicago’s biggest thing will be consistency. Consistently defending the Courage attack and making sure to not give them any space to move. They will also need to do work to win the midfield battle and get more of their attack spurred. Christen Press was noticeably frustrated last week after the loss to Portland so I expect her to come out ready to lead the attack. Chicago will need to be better about feeding her balls so she does not have to drop so far back to get them. Julie Ertz will also be key for the Red Stars, a player I would argue has been the most important player on the field for Chicago this season. If Chicago can capitalize on their early chances and set their game up, they have a very good chance of pulling the win out. Alyssa Naeher and the Chicago backline will be tested, it is how they respond that will determine the winner. 

The Scouting Report:

We went live on Monday night with our weekly TSR, which was the last episode featuring Sandra Herrera and Jordan Small.

In case you missed the episode, catch up here: