Tag: North Carolina Courage

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.

The North Carolina Courage: The Junkyard Dogs are Back

Posted on by RJ Allen

Last year’s shield winners and NWSL championship runners-up, the North Carolina Courage open the season at home against the Portland Thorns on March 24th. Rarely the underdog, the Courage will embrace a Junkyard Dog mentality from whistle to whistle all season long. Voted by the league general managers and NWSL media association to finish at the top of the table, look for the Courage to show up. 

Head Coach: Paul Riley

2017 record: 16-7-1, first in the league

Projected Starting XI: Considering she started the majority of the games in 2017 following an injury to Sabrina D’Angelo, Katelyn Rowland will likely start in goal. However, the fact that D’Angelo is still with the Courage and fighting for that starting spot means they may take turns at the keeper position until the strongest battle-tested keeper emerges. Look for alternating starts early.

Losing Taylor Smith in the trade to Washington was a tough blow to the Courage’s defensive chemistry. However, the acquisition of Allysha Chapman and Julie King from Boston is likely to fill that defensive space with experience. Paul Riley started a four-woman backline for nearly all of 2017, so look to see USWNT defender Abby Dahlkemper and New Zealand international, Abby Erceg hold it down in the center back positions. Per usual, Jaelene Hinkle will likely start out wide on either side.

The midfield is where the Courage earn their Junkyard Dogs nickname. Battling for possession with the best of them, you’ll find future USWNT captain Sam Mewis alongside seasoned veteran McCall Zerboni. Adding to the midfield on the attack, I predict Brazilian number ten Debinha to get the opening-day starting nod, while Kristen Hamilton will return from an injury sustained in the 2017 NWSL championship to avenge the loss to Portland.

Finally, as Riley likes to start a powerful pair up top, Lynn Williams will surely show off her speed in a starting role, and Crystal Dunn, acquired in the aforementioned trade with Washington, will bring her 2015 NWSL Golden Boot power from Chelsea to Cary, where she and Williams will develop the kind of chemistry necessary to make the USWNT successful in the 2019 Women’s World Cup.

Player you should know: Sam Mewis. Mewis was only one of two USWNT players to start every single national team match in 2017. Keep your eye on her for her competitive drive and ability to take quality shots on goal. Following the loss to Portland in the NWSL final, an on-camera interview with Mewis showed her determination and desire to get back on the field. Keep an eye on her fire this season.

Under the radar: If you’re not yet familiar with midfielder McCall Zerboni, allow me to make an introduction. In 2017, Zerboni started 25 games and scored three goals. Her voice on the field is audible throughout WakeMed Soccer Park at any given moment, showing her leadership at every turn. Her NWSL play did not go unnoticed, as she was voted to the league’s Best XI and earned her very first USWNT call up on October 22, where she got her first cap in front of a hometown crowd.

Biggest offseason acquisition: Without a doubt, this is Crystal Dunn. While it hurt to lose Taylor Smith and 2017 Rookie of the Year Ashley Hatch, Dunn will bring a consistent spark to the team that was missed on offense last year.

Biggest rival: Portland. The 2017 NWSL Championship was a knock-down, drag-out, physical fight akin to some pay-per-view fights, but without the financial reward. The Courage suffered a string of unnecessary injuries due to the heightened physicality in that game (here’s looking at you, Tobin Heath) and the pain of the loss will not soon be forgotten. Lucky for the league, this rivalry sets the stage for the first Lifetime Game of the Week of the 2018 season.  

Most memorable moment from 2017: Denise O’Sullivan’s goal in the final moments of the semifinal game vs. Chicago.

Why they’re the team to watch in 2018: There’s something enticing about a team that claims to be the underdog when they rarely are. In North Carolina, the fan base for NWSL soccer is growing, and a team comprised of talented, passionate players is one to watch, for sure.

Predicted finish: First.

Success depends on: The health of the players.

Fun prediction: Crystal Dunn, Carli Lloyd, and Sam Kerr battle it out for the 2018 NWSL Golden Boot.

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.

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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.

Interviews with Emma: Ashley Hatch

Posted on by RJ Allen

Emma Bayer is an 11 year old who will be doing a recurring interview series for Backline Soccer. You can find more out about how Emma got in to soccer here.

Ashley Hatch has had a short, but successful NWSL career. She was Rookie of the Year with the North Carolina Courage this season, and is currently playing in Australia. 

Birthdate:

May 25, 1995

Nickname from teammates:

In college my nick name was Ash Smash or just Smash. For the Courage my nickname is Hatchey

Hometown:

Gilbert Arizona

Age you started playing soccer:

Age 8

College/major:

Family Life

Career aspirations after soccer:

My dream job besides playing soccer is to one day be a mother but I would also love to go back to school and get my masters to be a social worker of some sort and soccer coach.

Why did you pick your particular uniform number:

My favorite number is 33. That was my number growing up in college and I choose it because I wanted a number that wasn’t common and I also have 6 members in my family and 3+3 = 6. I didn’t choose #12 for my rookie season in the NWSL. 

Pregame meal:

I don’t eat anything specific. I just make sure I eat enough of whatever sounds good at the time but when we have away trips I usually find myself eating pancakes for the meal before the game.

Workout music:

I love listening to all types of music when I’m working out but one of my favorite bands is the Chainsmokers.

Favorite cartoon character:

Bugs Bunny

Fave movie:

“She’s the Man” will always be a movie at the top of my list but I love so many movies so it’s hard to pick just one.

Fave actress:

Blake Lively

Hidden talent:

I love water painting and I am really good at telling cheesy jokes.

Mentor (in soccer or life):

My Dad is my mentor in life and in soccer. He’s the one I go to for everything because he knows how to help me get through all the hard time and all the good times.

Fave charity/cause:

Helping Hands through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Life motto:

“Life is to be enjoyed… not just endured.” Gordon B. Hinckley

Superstitions:

Blue pre-wrap headband for game-days is a must!

Any pets?:

I had a pet bunny named “Fluffy” growing up. I don’t have any pets currently.

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

I would want Meredith Speck as my partner because she is super smart and also hilarious so we would win and have a good time.

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: 3 Winners and 2 Losers from the NWSL Final

Posted on by RJ Allen

Winner: Portland, for getting the job done

The Thorns showed up with a chip on their shoulder, ready to complete the ‘unfinished business’ of last season. It’s strange to say for a team that has now won either the league title or the shield in three out of the league’s five seasons, but Portland has felt like an underachiever. With the talent at their disposal, not to mention the infrastructure and institutional support, anything less than a title this year would have felt like a disappointment. Beyond that, it’s important to remember that Portland started this season poorly, and still looked to be struggling well into the summer. There was talk about ‘too many stars, not enough teamwork’ and questions about whether they would ever actually put it all together.

Well, they put it together. Following a loss on July 1, Portland went on a run in which they won 11 of 13 games, including the semifinal and final. They integrated their stars as they returned from the Euros and injury, settled into a flexible tactical system, and started to look as good as they always expected to be.

In a league without all that much tactical innovation, coach Mark Parsons’ back three was a breath of fresh air, and helped to revitalize their attack without doing anything to weaken their stout defense. Dropping Christine Sinclair back behind the forwards was another critical innovation, allowing her to orchestrate the attack from a deeper position, and then crash in behind to pick up second balls and knockdowns.

Portland didn’t have anything close to their best game of the year in the final, but it was enough to get the job done. They played a composed, compact, and stultifying game—conceding plenty of marginal chances but stifling the big ones. It wasn’t pretty, but no one in Portland will care much about that.

Loser: The beautiful game

All three of the games between these two teams this season were tight affairs, but this one took things to a different level. That’s not surprising, necessarily, since cup finals often end up being some of the least exciting games of an entire campaign. When the stakes are this high, teams play conservatively, looking to avoid mistakes, and the quality of play often suffers. This game was no exception.

In their postgame press conferences, both coaches specifically used the word “battle” to describe the game, and neither seemed to be using the term metaphorically. It was a tense and brutal affair, a grim and physical game, without much to recommend it in the way of skill or tactical quality.

Portland deserves special credit (or blame, depending on your perspective), making it clear from the first minute that they would match North Carolina’s aggressive style directly. This preemptive physicality ensured a choppy and violent game, with tight marking and aggressive tackling making it very difficult for either side to develop any rhythm.

To the extent that there was any real ‘beauty’ in the game, it came on the defensive side of things. In particular, North Carolina deserves credit here, for the way that their players moved as a unit. The interactions between the central defense and central midfield, in particular, were lovely. As Dahlkemper tracked a runner, Mewis would drop in behind to take her spot. As Erceg drifted out wide to fill in the gap left by an attacking fullback, Dahlkemper stepped left and Zerboni drifted in to close down the angles exposed by those moves. It was lovely stuff.

But this was the exception more than the rule. On the whole, these teams came to shut each other down, and they mostly succeeded. That did plenty to raise the tension but didn’t do much for the lover of the beautiful game.

Loser: Danielle Chesky, for calling a truly terrible game

As noted, this was a physical and violent game, and ultimately that comes from the teams who chose to play that way. But the final guilt has to rest with the referee, who allowed it all to unfold. While she got some hold back on the game in the second half, the first 45 minutes were a nightmare of escalating violence. I have written before about the problems with loose officiating in this league. And it would be hard to find a more representative example than this game.

There’s an unwritten code for referees: lighter punishments for star players, no cards early in the game, don’t make yourself the focus. Those all came together in this game, in the opening three minutes, when Tobin Heath barged into Taylor Smith from behind, dislocating her shoulder. It was about as clear a yellow card as you’ll ever see, but received only a warning. And things only escalated from there. In the opening half hour, there were at least half a dozen awful challenges, and dozens more examples of rough play. And Chesky still hadn’t seen a single foul that she judged worthy of a booking.

By the 39th minute, North Carolina was forced to make their second injury-based substitution, and the game had gone completely off the rails.

She eventually discovered the cards in her pocket and showed a couple to Portland players before the end of the half. And by the second half, with control at least marginally re-asserted, things started to look more like a soccer match and less like a game of rugby. But even with those improvements, the damage was mostly done.

The players deserve a referee who will punish dangerous play. The fans deserve a referee who will call fouls accurately. “Letting the players decide the game” is a canard, and you only need to watch this match to see why. By letting violent play go unpunished, Chesky didn’t stay out of the limelight; she made herself the story, to the detriment of the game that everyone was hoping to see.

Winner: The NWSL, for turning the corner

The NWSL suffers under the weight of history. Previous women’s soccer leagues have generated far greater fanfare, bigger audiences, more excitement, only to fold after three years. This league has survived, but sometimes has seemed to achieve this success at the expense of intensity or excitement. It can feel like the unloved stepchild of the US Women’s National Team, a training ground to keep them fresh but not something to generate much passion.

But, increasingly, that narrative is falling apart. Sure, some of the old guard clearly didn’t value the league, and maybe some of the current stars don’t treat it entirely seriously. But you only have to look at the passion and commitment and intensity of the players in this match to see how much it matters.

For the young stars of US soccer—players like Sam Mewis, Abby Dahlkemper, Lindsey Horan, and Lynn Williams—the NWSL has always been a part of the landscape. To them, this is the pinnacle of their professional achievement, and there is absolutely nothing second rate about it. They care. They care a whole lot.

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I talked to Sam Mewis in the mix zone after the game, and she had the demeanor of someone who had just lost the World Cup final. The intensity, the passion, the commitment that she feels about the national team…it is all there in precisely the same degree for this league.

And that is a great thing.

Winner: Orlando, for doing a great job hosting

There has been a lot of discussion in the past week about future NWSL finals. Should the league return to a system of allowing the top seed to host, or persist with the predetermined venue? There are fair arguments on both sides (and decent arguments for going an entirely different third direction), but one huge advantage of a preset location is the opportunity for the league and media to plan ahead of time, and to showcase the nicest venues on offer.

This is not a knock on North Carolina, who I’m sure would also have done a great job hosting. But Orlando gave us a fantastic experience, and deserve some recognition for the work they put in. It’s my favorite stadium experience of any in the league, with a beautiful pitch and a wonderful design. The accommodations for the media day on Friday were stupendous, the press facilities were excellent, and the staff went above and beyond the call of duty to give us a great experience.

While the overall attendance numbers were less than ideal, the pre-set location gave a lot the league’s superfans a chance to attend. And in many ways, that’s more important than the simple topline number. Making it easier for those who care the most to make the pilgrimage should be a big priority. The NWSL final should be an Event—and Orlando did it’s best to help that process along.

Shoutouts are also deserved for Jen Cooper, who put on a great WoSoCo, and for the supporters groups of teams all around the league who made the journey and showed up strong. And an extra special mention goes to the Riveters, who flew 3000 miles to support their team, and helped bring the intensity and excitement that this game and this league deserves.

The Unknown International: Denise O’Sullivan

Posted on by RJ Allen

The NWSL may be the American soccer league, but many of its most talented players come from all over the world. This series takes a look at the best internationals in the NWSL, analyzing their role and impact on their national team and their NWSL club, as well as their overall style of play. This week, we will be looking at North Carolina Courage and Irish midfielder, Denise O’Sullivan.

Who Is She?

If you’re reading this article, there is a good chance that you recognize O’Sullivan’s name from her game-winning goal in the NWSL Semifinal match against the Chicago Red Stars. Denise O’Sullivan is a 23-year-old midfielder from Cork, Ireland. She is a versatile midfielder, who can be strong both on the attack and in the defense. Thus, her role on each of her teams has varied depending on where she was needed.

She played youth soccer in Ireland and made her senior debut in 2011 for Peamount United. After their exit in the 2011-2012 UEFA Women’s Champions League, O’Sullivan returned to her hometown of Cork and joined their newly formed professional women’s club, Cork City Women. After two years, another opportunity came knocking at her door — to join Glasgow City Women, one of the premier teams in Europe. O’Sullivan joined the team in 2013 and scored 33 goals in 65 appearances with the club. But in March 2016, O’Sullivan earned an opportunity to join the NWSL’s Houston Dash. She took advantage and joined them before the start of the 2016 season.

O’Sullivan spent the 2016 season and the start of the 2017 season with the Dash. In 2016, she started in 14 matches in 18 appearances and snagged two goals and three assists. But with a coaching change at the beginning of the 2017 season, O’Sullivan saw herself getting less and less playing time. She asked to leave the team, and a return to Europe seemed imminent, with offers from clubs in England and Germany. But in the end, O’Sullivan was picked up off waivers by the North Carolina Courage.

Irish National Team

O’Sullivan made her senior team debut for Ireland in 2011 and since she has garnered over 50 appearances for the Irish women. Ireland has been on the edges of qualification in Europe, narrowly missing the 2017 Women’s European Championship after having qualified in 2013. Similarly, they missed the 2015 Women’s World Cup, but they’re hoping to change that narrative in 2019.

They will face some tough competition in their qualifiers, having been drawn into a group including Norway, and the new European Champions, the Netherlands. But there are other problems that seem to be hindering the Irish women, like so many other women’s national teams around the world. In April 2017, they took a stand against what they deemed “gross inequality” in the Irish FA. They complained about basic things, like not having changing facilities and not having their own uniforms. The negotiations were tense, but in the end, the Irish women got what they wanted. There is still a long way to go on the path of equality, but they took a step in the right direction.

North Carolina Courage

O’Sullivan joined the North Carolina Courage during the 2017 season, after being picked up off waivers from the Houston Dash. O’Sullivan made 11 appearances with the Dash in 2017, earning one assist.

Playing in North Carolina, she was around some of the best midfielders in the world, including McCall Zerboni and Sam Mewis. But O’Sullivan wasn’t far behind, earning starts in both of the Courage’s 2017 postseason games. Her 90′ goal against the Chicago Red Stars sent her team to the championship. While her team wasn’t able to earn another trophy this year, O’Sullivan has proven that she is a different player in North Carolina than she was in Houston. It’s unsure what the offseason will bring for O’Sullivan and the Courage, but one thing is clear: despite being a late addition, O’Sullivan took her opportunity and made her moment in the spotlight count.

Off the Bench with Backline Soccer: 2017, Finals

Posted on by RJ Allen

Backline Soccer Recap:

Quick Fire Final Game Preview:

We have arrived at the final weekend of the 2017 NWSL season. It has been filled with many highs and lows, but for Portland and North Carolina, it is the last chance to shine and end up champions at the end of the night. This game will be tough, North Carolina is one of the most physical teams in the league (Portland also shares this title,) and so I expect to see a hard-fought physically defensive match from both sides.  Let’s take a quick look at what Saturday might bring. 

North Carolina Courage vs. Portland Thorns

Portland got here by way of Orlando last weekend at home. For a season that started a bit rocky and without Tobin Heath, I was not quite sure they would make it here. But for the last few months, their play has been consistent and steadfast, which ultimately pushed them into the final. Portland posses the best and strongest defense in the league. The pairing between Emily Sonnett and Emily Menges has elevated this season and has been the saving grace for Portland on many occasions in the back. I expect this to be the case again on Saturday. Portland will need their defense to continue to produce as North Carolina will start attacking early and pressure often. I also anticipate a big game from Lindsey Horan, who has had a great season for Portland. Tobin Heath, for all intents and purposes, did not look like a woman who was starting her first game of the year for Portland. While you could point out a few little things, she looked to be ready for a full load this Saturday, which spells bad news for North Carolina as her creativity on the ball is key. 

North Carolina comes in by way of a last-minute heroic goal against Chicago. They have been dominant all season, only straying from first place for a week, a feat that saw them claim the shield this season. They will be looking to repeat as champions on Saturday. To do this, North Carolina will have to figure out a way to break down Portland’s defense and ultimately, this may come down to a last-minute heroic goal off a mistake like it did on Sunday against Chicago. North Carolina would be wise to spring Lynn Williams early and catch Portland either in the run of play or off of a set-piece. North Carolina did not play their best soccer on Sunday and if they come out like that, sloppy, spread too thin, not capitalizing on their chances, Portland will make them pay. But I expect better on Sunday and I expect the women’s soccer community to be graced with a stellar 2017 NWSL championship game 

Wrapping up the Season:

And here we have arrived at the last Off the Bench of the 2017 NWSL season. It has been a ride and the NWSL has given me many great things to write about in this piece over the season as I prepared to watch a weekend full of games. Thank you to everyone who took the time to check out of my work. If you ever want to chat women’s soccer, WNBA, softball, or anything else your heart desires, hit me up on Twitter, @AdrianaHoop. 

 

Until next season! 

Soccer Takes From Jake: NWSL Championship Edition

Posted on by RJ Allen

Hey did anything chaotic happen in the soccer world this week?

So here we are. The 2017 NWSL season is down to one game.

I wish I could say I am writing this either at an airport terminal or in a hotel in Orlando but I did the responsible thing and bought a new computer instead of making the trip. Trust me, it’s a really neat computer. Though I do wish I was in Orlando with the other familiar NWSL/WoSo media people including some that write for this site. Alas, there’s always next year’s NWSL Championship, provided it’s not going to be at some outlandish destination like the moon.

We know how the teams got to Orlando to be playing for the league’s top prize. Portland had their way with the Orlando Pride to the tune of 4-1. To think that Portland got three goals on basically Orlando committing the cardinal sin of ball-watching is just, yowza. Not the way head coach Tom Sermanni wanted to celebrate that (well-deserved) contract extension. I predicted Portland would edge out Orlando in an anxiety-inducing affair that would go to penalties but instead, we got a decisive result in regulation. In the end, Portland was the better team in all three areas of the field, with the defense shining the brightest.

As for North Carolina, I thought their matchup against the Chicago Red Stars would be done in regulation time. Instead, we got something that definitely won’t be making any highlight reels anytime soon. Both sides were sluggish and way too timid to try anything, which is understandable given it’s a one-game, end-all, be-all format. That said, it was a slog in every sense of the word and we were nearly dreading extra time and possibly penalties until North Carolina’s Denise O’Sullivan claimed the match winner in the 89th minute.

And so here we are, heading into the championship with this year’s #1 and #2 teams, North Carolina versus Portland. And it’s going to be a good one. Both teams have defenses that feature a trio who absolutely do not blink under pressure. Both teams have conductors in the midfield that maybe a certain men’s senior team consider taking lessons from, learning what a midfield looks like and what it is supposed to do. Both teams have opportunistic forwards that can light up the net. This is an NWSL Championship that will feature two complete teams and while the playoff structure in any sport is a Random Luck Generator cranked up to eleven, this is the sort of showcase you want for your showcase match for the top prize.

In the end, what I think will happen is…

Portland Thorns FC OVER North Carolina Courage 2-1 to capture their second NWSL Championship.

And Portland will win because of Lindsey Horan. I think she will be the player on the field Saturday night that will have that moment of magic that seals the win for Portland. Will it be the match-winning, title-clinching goal, a goal-line clearance, or a soul-eviscerating, dispossession tackle? I don’t know, but from where I’m sitting, what I’ve seen from the teams, and what I think can happen, I think Horan shines just a little brighter than a field full of stars on NWSL Championship Saturday.

Here is your last music video break of the season. It’s been real everyone.

Song: Mistadobalina | Artist: Del The Funkee Homosapien