Some General News in The World of WoSo

Hey guys, since I've finally gotten onto my actual computer, I'm able to update some of you on the happenings and news in the WoSo world!

Retirements- Two Germans have retired. Both Birgit Prinz and Kerstin Garefrekes have hung up their boots. Prinz has retired completely from soccer, while Garefrekes has only chosen to retire from National Team duty. She will continue playing for FFC Frankfurt in Germany. I'm going to be honest, I feel quite bad for Prinz. The 2011 WWC was not a kind swan song for her National Team retirement. And to retire from club football too after such a bad note on the World stage? She didn't deserve that kind of exit. At least a good 2011-12 season with her club could have been a high note/redemption.

Another Lilly- Kristine Lilly has just recently given birth to a baby girl! Congratulations to her! The future of the USWNT is in good hands.


Olympic Qualifiers- Some Olympic Qualifiers have been taking place, and some will be starting rather soon.

Right now, the Asian Qualifiers are taking place. The table is as such:

Japan: 9 pts
North Korea: 7 pts
China PR: 5 pts
Australia: 3 pts
South Korea: 1 pt
Thailand: 0 pts

The top 2 teams will advance. Only Thailand has been eliminated so far.

USWNT action: This month, the USWNT will be facing off against Canada in a double-header. The matches will be played on the 17th and 22nd of September, in Kansas City and Portland, respectively. This is their "Celebration Series", serving somewhat as their post-World Cup tour, featuring the WWC roster. Always love watching the USA-Canada rivalry! I'm expecting the team to schedule possibly a couple more friendlies between the months of October and December, seeing as their Olympic Qualifiers are in mid-late January, and they might want to get some more game-scenario practice in.

WPS News- As I mentioned in my previous post, WPS season 4 is in the works. One of the biggest pieces of news is that the league CEO, Anne-Marie Eileraas, has stepped down from her position, effective September 18th. The league will begin looking for a new one, if they already haven't. Not much was said about her resignation, only that she has done it for family reasons.


Expansion: It seems like some potential areas for expansion are Connecticut and DC. There are interested parties located in the West, however that will have to wait until 2013. That was the projected year for a return of West Coast teams, if there were serious enough talks regarding expansion. Expanding west now wouldn't be the best idea. Airfare from the east to west coast, and vice versa, is a big hit to the budget. The idea is that if enough West coast teams are developed, there would be 2 separate conferences, one for the East and one for the West.


Salary Cap: The league has been discussing a salary cap, but they aren't exactly sure of the model yet, nor if there will actually be one. But its important to ensure players aren't being paid pennies. Also, its important that people don't exceed a budget. Marta's salary alone, for example, is $400,000, according to some reports. The league is thinking of adopting the MLS model, which involves a certain number of players being exempt from the salary cap, while the others on the roster are counted towards the cap. Also, a salary cap ensures that there isn't a monopolizing of all the stars onto one team, particularly one with an owner that has more money, and in the league's eyes, an unfair advantage over others with less money.


Overseas Moves: For the most part, players have gone over seas on loan in order to keep training and to stay fit and "in the groove of things" so to speak. Here is a list of those traveling overseas (borrowed from Our Game Magazine):

Atlanta Beat
India Trotter - Sweden (Dalsjöfors)
Angela Salem - Finland (Aland)
Katie Bethke - Norway (Arna-Bjørnar)

Boston Breakers
Alyssa Naeher - Germany (Turbine Potsdam)
Niki Cross - Norway (Medkila IL)
Ifeoma Dieke - Cyprus
Aya Sameshima - France
Megan Mischler - Sweden (Östersund)

magicJack
Johanna Rasmussen - Sweden (Kristianstads DFF)
Ashleigh Gunning - Sweden (Eskilstuna United)

Philadelphia Independence
Val Henderson - Sweden (Örebro)
Danesha Adams - Norway (Medkila IL)
Joanna Lohman - Spain (Espanyol)
Lianne Sanderson - Spain (Espanyol)
Veronica Boquete - Russia (Energiya Voronezh)
Holmfridur Magnusdottir - Iceland (Valur)

Sky Blue FC
Karen Bardsley - Sweden (Linkoping)
Carolyn Blank - Sweden (Vittsjo)
Petra Hogewoning - Germany (FCR Duisburg)

Western New York Flash
Caroline Seger - Sweden (Malmo through the fall; begins two-year deal with Tyreso in 2012)
Beverly Goebel - Finland (PK-35)
Becky Edwards - Sweden (Hammarby)
Whitney Engen - Sweden (Tyreso)
Gina Lewandowski - Germany (Frankfurt)

It was brought to the attention of the public that two names (so far) have actually signed contracts for more than just loans. Both Caroline Seger (as noted above) and Veronica Boquete have signed 2-year deals. Seger signed for Tyreso, and Vero signed for Energiya Voronezh. Will other players be making permanent moves, especially if there is a salary cap? We'll have to wait and see.


Thanks for reading, and I'll try and keep everyone updated as the info rolls in! Off-season for the league starts now, but be on the look-out, as international teams will be in action in preparation for Olympic Qualifying (or will be participating IN Olympic Qualifying!)

See you again soon!

Denise