Women's Soccer USA

Coverage of women's soccer in the US. If it's not here...it's not important...

October 31, 2008

FSU 3, UNC 2

Without the scoring attack that has bowled over other opponents this season, North Carolina's women's soccer team found itself in a close game on Thursday night.
And after 90 minutes of regulation play and two 10-minute overtime periods, the No. 2-ranked Tar Heels left Fetzer Field tied 2-2 with No. 6 Florida State, forced to wait another game before trying to clinch the ACC regular-season title.
North Carolina (15-1-2 overall, 8-0-1 ACC) could have won the regular-season championship and earned a No. 1 seed in the upcoming ACC tournament with a victory, though Thursday's draw left them with another opportunity to secure that goal when they host Miami on Sunday.

October 30, 2008

U17 World Cup: USA 2, Japan 3

A superb Japan performance produced the biggest shock of New Zealand 2008 thus far as favorites USA were beaten 3-2 in a hugely entertaining encounter.
The Americans had been expected to cruise against their diminutive Asian opponents but proved no match for a Young Nadeshiko side whose superior movement and individual skill enabled them to twice them come from behind to claim victory.

Boxx irritated with Marta

"...there are a lot of great players on the women's side, and to say that she is the only one that people are going to come to watch, I don't think that's a fair assessment. You see 18 great players on the U.S. national team."

October 28, 2008

Harvey named WPS COO

Mary Harvey has been named Chief Operating Officer of the WPS, which kicks off next spring with seven teams.
Harvey, most recently FIFA's Director of Development, was the backup keeper on the USA's 1996 Olympic gold medal team during an 8-year national team career in which she earned 27 caps.
Harvey will oversee the WPS's day-to-day operations with a particular focus on league financials, expansion, non-revenue partnerships, player processes and competitions. As part of the oversight of competition issues, Harvey will be responsible for scheduling, day-of-game standards, procedures, match officials and in-stadium experience for league games.

October 27, 2008

Number 1 ranked Notre Dame finishes regular season 18-0-0.

Oft-injured senior forward Kerry Inglis delivered one of the more memorable Senior Day performances in school history, scoring the first two goals of her career to help No. 1 Notre Dame wrap up its first unbeaten and untied (18-0-0)regular season with a 6-0 win over BIG EAST Conference foe Seton Hall.

October 24, 2008

Marta will select players for LA

"I told Los Angeles that I want Johanna in the United States," said Marta.

She has not signed yet and already telling Abner Rogers what players to sign.
I wonder what players will Marta decide to start for the opener?
This promises to be fun.

Heyboer bursts on national soccer scene

Just 17 games into her collegiate career, the two-time high school Miss Soccer from Hudsonville is the nation's leading scorer with 18 goals and 44 points. She has almost twice as many goals as any other Big Ten Conference player.
Heyboer has the chance to match other notable freshman seasons. Mia Hamm netted 21 goals during her ACC Player of the Year campaign in 1990, and Abby Wambach recorded 19 goals, 12 assists and 50 points during Florida's national championship season in 1998.

USA U20 1, Canada U20 1

Jonelle Filigno the opening goal in the first half and Canada's under-20 women's soccer team held on for a 1-1 draw with rival United States in an exhibition match Thursday.
Canada struck first just over 30 minutes into the match. Alyssa Lagonia provided the corner kick and Karla Schacher made a good flick before Filigno back-heeled the ball into the net.
The rest of the first half was pretty even, but the United States took a slight advantage in the second half. A few mistakes from the young Canadian back four eventually led to the U.S. goal in the 60th minute.

October 23, 2008

de Vanna likely to sign for Umea

Washington international draft pick Lisa de Vanna is likely to sign for Swedish outfit Umea IK.

There is a growing concern among WPS honchos that as many as 50% of international draftees will end up unsigned.

October 22, 2008

Cristiane demands $300,000

Chicago Red Stars draft pick Cristiane is rumored by Brazilian blogs to demand a salary of $300,000.

Coach suspended

The Texas Tech women's soccer team will be without its leader for this weekend's Big 12 Conference finale against Texas A&M.
Tech coach Tom Stone has been suspended one game by the NCAA for excessive yellow cards and will have to watch his team from the stands Friday. Stone received his fifth yellow card of the season against Nebraska Sunday. By rule, this warrants a one game suspension.

CLU women's soccer coach Nancie Moskowitz, son bonded by soccer

The Cal Lutheran women's soccer coach enjoyed looking down the sideline and seeing the proud parents of her players cheering for their daughters.
She loved watching them hug after the game and rehash any memorable plays.
Yet deep down Moskowitz couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness because she wasn't able to do the same with her son.

Charlotte virtually unbeatable

Last season the Charlotte women's soccer team was virtually unbeatable in the Atlantic 10. This season they are, so far.
The 49ers (11-3-1, 7-0 Atlantic 10) have reeled off eight consecutive victories, seven of which have been against conference foes. They are now 16-1-1 in the last two years against conference opponents.
After being chosen to repeat as conference champions in the A-10 preseason poll, Charlotte has lived up to expectations thus far by rolling over opponents decisively. The 49ers have outscored conference opponents 38-4, recording shutouts in all but two of the seven A-10 games.

October 21, 2008

Player's transfer sparks controversy

Close's transfer, which is in compliance with the state transfer policy, sparked mean-spirited rumors and criticism before the season started.
Negative e-mails, sent anonymously, circulated and online forum posts maligned Close. Someone sent a derogatory e-mail to Monmouth University women's soccer coach Krissie Turner. Close verbally committed to the Hawks this fall.

Lindsey Wilson Women at No. 1 for third straight week

For the third straight week, No. 1 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) claims the top spot in the seventh regular season edition of the 2008 NAIA Women's Soccer Coaches' Top 25 Poll, announced today (Oct. 21). The Blue Raiders have won seven straight which includes a recent win (Oct. 15) over NCAA Division II Armstrong Atlantic (Ga.). Holding 638 total points and 14 of a possible 23 first-place votes, Lindsey Wilson is 11-1 overall on the year.
Lee (Tenn.) remains at No. 2 with 628 total points and four first-place nods. No. 3 Azusa Pacific (Calif.), the national runners-up last season, stands with 612 points and three first-place votes. Defending national champion Martin Methodist (Tenn.) is at No. 4 while Concordia (Ore.) rounds out the Top 5 with the remaining two first-place votes.

October 20, 2008

ASU 1, USC 0

Sophomore forward Karin Volpe scored her seventh goal of the season and junior goalkeeper Briana Silvestri made nine saves as the Arizona State women's soccer team upset seventh-ranked and defending national champion USC 1-0 on Sunday afternoon.
In addition to being it being the first Pac-10 win of the season for the Sun Devils (7-4-3, 1-2-0 Pac-10), it was also their first win against a top-10 opponent since 2001 when they defeated then-second-ranked Stanford 1-0 in double overtime. The win over USC (12-2-1, 2-1-1 Pac-10), which came into the match on an 11-game unbeaten streak, took on even more significance given the Sun Devils' current personnel situation. ASU came into the weekend having already lost six players for the season because of injuries. On Sunday they were without another key contributor, junior midfielder Carly Kallas, who was held out because of an injury she sustained in Friday's game against third-ranked UCLA.
"Amidst all that we have been through we found a way to pull out the win," said ASU head coach Kevin Boyd following the match. "I told the team we have had character all year long and that we needed to bring it out and play like a team and [stick to] our game plan the entire game and we did that."

October 18, 2008

New owners in Rochester

W-League team Rochester Rhinos has been taken over by a consortium of investors which reportedly includes head coach Peter Amos.

USASA changes format and dates of its competitions

The US National Women’s Cup is a new cup competition, created to develop a national championship from all USASA women’s teams. This competition will be open to all USASA women’s teams. Players, both amateur and professional status, will be permitted to participate. There will be no age restrictions in this competition.
The National Finals weekend will take place on the weekend of July 24, 25, 26, 2009. These will take place as previously determined in Orlando, FL.

October 17, 2008

Marta offered $350,00 per season

According to sources in LA, Marta's representatives were presented with a compensation package worth $350,000 per season.

October 16, 2008

CMU head coach resigns

Central Michigan University head women’s soccer coach Tony DiTucci has resigned from his position for personal reasons, according to Athletics Director Dave Heeke. The resignation is effective immediately.

October 15, 2008

U-17 WC roster

GOALKEEPERS (3): Alexa Gaul (Naperville, Ill.), Jennifer Pettigrew (Kearney, N.J.), Taylor Vancil (South Elgin, Ill.);
DEFENDERS (6): Amber Brooks (New Hope, Pa.), Cloee Colohan (West Point, Utah), Crystal Dunn (Rockville Center, N.Y.), Alexis Harris (Plano, Texas), Rachel Quon (Lake Forrest, Ill.), Julia Roberts (Fredrick, Md.);
MIDFIELDERS (8): Kate Bennett (Clyde Hill, Wash.), Morgan Brian (St. Simons Island, Ga.), Elizabeth Eddy (Costa Mesa, Calif.), Olivia Klei (Pleasanton, Calif.), Mandy Laddish (Lee’s Summit, Mo.), Kristie Mewis (Hanson, Mass.), Samantha Mewis (Hanson, Mass.), Erika Tymrak (Bradenton, Fla.);
FORWARDS (4): Tani Costa (Honolulu, Hawaii), Vicki DiMartino (Massapequa Park, N.Y.), Samantha Johnson (Palmdale, Calif.), Courtney Verloo (Tualatin, Ore.).

October 14, 2008

Anderson-Hammond on cloud nine

New Jersey/New York Sky Blue FC head coach and general manager Ian Sawyers said he knew only a little about Eastern women's soccer assistant coach Jenny Anderson-Hammond's playing ability prior to the Women's Professional Soccer combine.
"I had vaguely heard about her because she had played in southern California where I'm from," Sawyers said.
But once Sawyers saw Anderson-Hammond during the WPS combine in Tampa, Fla., in early September, he learned enough that he decided to select Anderson-Hammond as one of the Sky Blue's four draft picks at the WPS General Draft on Oct. 6.

Pressure is on Chicago

"Someone high up in the reaches of WPS told me the other day that the Red Stars might be putting together the best team in the history of women’s soccer..."

October 07, 2008

Chastain ignored

Twenty eight players picked and no team took interest in Brandi Chastain.

WPS player salary cap

The seven teams - there also are franchises in the Bay area, Chicago, Boston, Washington, St Louis and New York - are keeping a closer eye on finances this time.
The salary cap is about $540,000 per team.

Fox Soccer Channel to carry Women's Pro Soccer

Fox Soccer Channel announced a multi-year deal Monday to carry live weekly Women’s Professional Soccer matches during its inaugural season beginning in April 2009.
The three-year deal with an option for a fourth will provide the nascent WPS with live Sunday night coverage to FSC's 34 million homes for a minimum of 20 regular-season games and the WPS All-Star Game. Post-season coverage in August will run on Fox Sports Net, extending the reach to 80 million.

Pali and Freedom players dominate general draft

Seven players from the 2008 W-League champion Pali Blues and six players from semifinalist Washington Freedom were among the 28 players taken in Monday's Women's Professional Soccer General Draft.

October 06, 2008

WPS domestic draft

ROUND 1
1. Washington - Sarah Huffman
2. Bay Area - Jill Oaks
3. Washington - Becky Sauerbrunn
4. Boston - Amy LePeibelt
5. LA - Karina LeBlanc
6. Chicago - Danesha Adams
7. Sky Blue FC - Cori Alexander
ROUND 2
1. Sky Blue FC - Keeley Dowling
2. Chicago - Ella Masar
3. LA - Kendall Fletcher
4. Boston - Nancy Augustyniak Goffi
5. LA - Christie Welsh
6. Bay Area - Kandace Wilson
7. St. Louis - Indian Trotter
ROUND 3
1. St. Louis - Angie Woznuk
2. Bay Area - Liz Bogus
3. Washington - Lori Lindsey
4. Boston - Sue Weber
5. LA - Manya Makoski
6. Chicago - Marian Dalmy
7. Sky Blue FC - Kacey White
ROUND 4
1. Sky Blue FC - Jenny Anderson-Hammond
2. Chicago - Ifeoma Dieke
3. St. Louis - Joanna Lohman
4. Boston - Kristin Luckenbill
5. St. Louis - Amanda Cinalli
6. Bay Area - Tracy Hamm
7. Washington - Emily Janss

October 04, 2008

WPSL players drafted by WPS

Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) announced the results of its WPS Initial International Draft on Weds., Sept. 24th - officially assigning the WPS-playing rights of those selected by the respective teams - and four "internationals" who have suited up with teams in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) were chosen. Heading the list are two former All-WPSL selections in Brazilian star Daniela (Bay State Select) and Australian dynamo Heather Garriock (Adirondack Lynx).

I love Arsenal more than Chicago Red Stars says Emma Hayes

"Arsenal is my club and I love it more than anything else, it's in my blood," Emma Hayes.

Stanford 5, Santa Clara 0

Lindsay Taylor recorded a hat trick to lead the Stanford women's soccer team past host Santa Clara, 5-0, in a nonconference match on Friday night.

October 03, 2008

Naimo named LA GM

Charlie Naimo has been named General Manager of the Los Angeles franchise in the new Women's Professional Soccer league it was announced by Rudi Bianchi, Managing Partner of the team which is also owned by AEG.

WPS Over-40?

The deadline for entering Monday's Women's Professional Soccer draft is Friday, and Brandi Chastain has confirmed that she has tossed in her name.
"Yes, I did," Chastain said Thursday by phone. "Two days ago, I filled out my little form online. I've done all the proper stuff, which I normally don't do. Hopefully, I did it accurately."

October 02, 2008

Del Rio and Asante assigned WPS rights

The following teams named international players as post-draft discovery players and have been assigned the WPS-playing rights to those respective international players:
Chicago Red Stars: Laura Del Rio, Spain
Sky Blue FC: Anita Asante, England

WPS salaries

Tony DiCicco, Boston - $125,000
Ian Sawyers, Sky Blue - $125,000
Emma Hayes, Chicago - $100,000
Jim Gabarra, Washington - $90,000
Jorge Barcellos, St. Louis - $80,000
Alberto Montoya, Bay Area - $70,000
Abner Rogers, LA - $70,000

DISCLAIMER: All numbers are based on internet sources and are speculative.

Jeff Cooper critical of WUSA

"Our challenge is to do things differently from the old WUSA," Cooper explains. "They spent money wildly and squandered an incredible chance. They spent money like NFL teams."

Mr. Cooper, the same people are involved again.

The world's game (according to US)

"Last week, the 22-year-old Marta was "drafted" by the L.A. franchise of the new Women's Professional Soccer league. The problem is, Marta is under contract to a club in Sweden and hasn't had any negotiations with the still nameless L.A. team. She didn't even sign up for any draft.
The WPS's Initial International Draft wasn't actually a draft in the traditional sense, a pool which players willingly enter. It was simply a way to give the new American teams the sole rights to negotiate with the foreign players on their fantasy wish-lists."

October 01, 2008

De Vanna likely to stay in Sweden

De Vanna says that it is likely that she will stay in Sweden and she is very impressed by Umeå. ”It is one of the best clubs in the world and they show an impressing seriosity in everything they do”. De Vanna's has had a great season with her present club AIK, a club that at the moment are close to doing their best season ever. But that's not quite enough for De Vanna: ”You want golds and titles and I want that with my club team too.”