Mid-September Updates

Hey everyone! We're only about half-way through September and there is a nice bunch of news that has come out in the WoSo World. Let's get started.

Olympic Qualifiers- Asian Qualifying has just finished up, and the two teams who have come out victorious, and will be in London for the 2012 Olympics, are Japan and North Korea. North Korea's qualification has stirred up general unrest and anger among fans. Particularly those of the Australian WNT. North Korea was found guilty for "doping" during the WWC, and therefore were banned from the 2015 WWC. However, many people think it unfair that North Korea was allowed into the Olympics, and that they should have been banned from the tournament as well. The IOC is investigating and reviewing the matter. If North Korea was kicked out of the Olympics, the Aussies would join Japan in London. My opinion is that it would make more sense to punish the North Koreans and have them suffer the consequences more immediately, not 4 years from now. Unfortunately its not my decision. Anyways, I figured I'd give a brief list of the teams going to the Olympics.

Host: England
Asia: Japan and North Korea
Europe: France and Sweden (due to their finish in the WWC)
South America: Brazil and Colombia (due to their finish at the CONMEBOL Women's Championship 2010)
Africa: South Africa and Nigeria/Cameroon (placement based on play-offs)

That leaves only 4 berths to be determined. CONCACAF will produce 2, and Oceania and Africa will be producing one each.


WPS News: I've heard of one more move that was recently reported. Lisa DeVanna will be going to the Brisbane Roar during the WPS off-season. Also, Marta is reported to be in negotiations with a European club. This means she also might be among the likes of players like Seger and Vero, who signed deals overseas and won't be immediately returning to WPS. However there is one more piece of news which is pretty big. Tony DiCicco has backed down as coach of the Boston Breakers. He stated his move was made regarding personal/family reasons. Now Lisa Cole, who coached the team while he was in Germany for the WWC as an analyst, is taking over the role full-time. He will be returning to Connecticut, where he lives with his family, and where he is well-known in the soccer community. There have been talks of league expansion to Connecticut, and maybe he had that in mind.


USWNT vs. Canada: This Saturday is the first of a two game series that sees the USWNT take on Northern Neighbors and friendly rivals, Canada. These games are set as the USWNT's Celebration Series; a mini-tour if you will, after their tremendous WWC campaign. These matches won't be all celebration - Olympic qualifiers are around the bend, and both teams will want to practice and stay sharp. The first match between these two is on Saturday, September 17th, and will be aired live on FSC at 7pm ET. The 2nd match is on Thrusday, September 22nd, and it will be aired live on ESPN2 at 8pm ET.

That's all for now everyone! See you again soon.

Denise