The NWSL season opens its second season this weekend with many new story lines to accompany the league. Portland Thorns, the champions in 2013, have a new coach in Paul Riley. The League has expanded to nine teams with the addition of the Houston Dash, which is led by the well-respected Randy Waldrum. This season sees an influx of foreign talent including Kim Little, Nadine Angerer, and Veronica Boquete. Besides new international players, more Americans have returned, led by Yael Averbuch, Christen Press, Whitney Engen, and Meghan Klingenberg.
To preview the NWSL season, we spoke to four coaches to get their insight and analysis. David Copeland Smith, the founder of Beast Mode Soccer, and Terry Foley, the President and Technical Director of FC Virginia, share their thoughts on who will be the top team in the league this season. Two members of the 2012 World Cup winning U20 coaching staff, Amy Griffin (University of Washington Associate Head Coach) and Janet Rayfield (University of Illinois Head Coach), know first hand the talent of the rookies and each share their analysis on who will win the coveted Rookie of the Year award.
Soccer Banter: Who will win NWSL this season?
David Copeland-Smith (@BeastModeSoccer): Loaded question! I genuinely feel that a few teams can win it. Laura Harvey has been like a wizard in the off season and has created a phenomenal squad. Paul Riley will thrive in Portland and I look forward to watching them play a brand of soccer that the team has the potential to. WNY Flash will be up there, as well as the dark horses (in my opinion) Washington Spirit. Mark Parsons is a great young coach who assembled a technical squad and I know he likes his teams to play attractive free flowing soccer. Putting me on the spot, I would have to say Seattle.
Terry Foley (@Terry_Foley): I think Portland will be the preseason favorite, Paul is an excellent coach and has upgraded the squad that won last year. They brought in a world class goalkeeper in Angerer and a world class forward in Boquette, to add to an already deep squad. I think FCKC and Chicago Red Stars have also built a better squad from last year and I expect both of them to be in the mix.
To preview the NWSL season, we spoke to four coaches to get their insight and analysis. David Copeland Smith, the founder of Beast Mode Soccer, and Terry Foley, the President and Technical Director of FC Virginia, share their thoughts on who will be the top team in the league this season. Two members of the 2012 World Cup winning U20 coaching staff, Amy Griffin (University of Washington Associate Head Coach) and Janet Rayfield (University of Illinois Head Coach), know first hand the talent of the rookies and each share their analysis on who will win the coveted Rookie of the Year award.
Soccer Banter: Who will win NWSL this season?
David Copeland-Smith (@BeastModeSoccer): Loaded question! I genuinely feel that a few teams can win it. Laura Harvey has been like a wizard in the off season and has created a phenomenal squad. Paul Riley will thrive in Portland and I look forward to watching them play a brand of soccer that the team has the potential to. WNY Flash will be up there, as well as the dark horses (in my opinion) Washington Spirit. Mark Parsons is a great young coach who assembled a technical squad and I know he likes his teams to play attractive free flowing soccer. Putting me on the spot, I would have to say Seattle.
Terry Foley (@Terry_Foley): I think Portland will be the preseason favorite, Paul is an excellent coach and has upgraded the squad that won last year. They brought in a world class goalkeeper in Angerer and a world class forward in Boquette, to add to an already deep squad. I think FCKC and Chicago Red Stars have also built a better squad from last year and I expect both of them to be in the mix.
SB: Who will win Rookie of the Year this season?
Amy Griffin (@GKCoachGriffin) : I’m going to have to go with Kealia Ohai. I was looking for someone people wouldn’t expect for fun, but Ohai is never injured, a good teammate, has speed and skills. I also like her supporting cast and what she will do for the rookie franchise. Hard for me to pick anyone else, but a few other players could win it. Unfortunately Crystal Dunn as a defender won’t get the props she deserves. DiBernardo could do really well, if she stays healthy and needs to be a big part of her team.
Janet Rayfield (@janetrayfield): I have a special place for Vanessa DiBernardo, but only partly because she played for the Fighting Illini. I also happen to think she is/will be one of the best midfielders in the world – and sooner rather than later. The midfield in that U20 Team was REALLY special – Brian, DiBernardo, Killion, Mewis, Laddish … lots of national team potential there as Morgan Brian has already shown. Vanessa has special physical, technical and tactical attributes that make players around her better and her ability to cover ground both quickly in the specific moment and over the long haul of a game is incredible.
That being said – hard not to vote for Crystal Dunn because I think she has continued to improve and her abilities to impact the game on both sides of the ball are tremendous. Also, her experience with the full national team give her a head start in feeling the game at the pace and intensity that it can be played at the professional level. Julie Johnston is also another one with the potential to impact – she will be a key piece for Chicago especially with their need for defenders (which may not be her long term best position).
Then if you factor in the POYs are often those with the stats to back up the selection, it is hard not to look at players like Ohai and Hayes – scorers, attacking threats...
So...there are my thoughts without making the actual selection!
Amy Griffin (@GKCoachGriffin) : I’m going to have to go with Kealia Ohai. I was looking for someone people wouldn’t expect for fun, but Ohai is never injured, a good teammate, has speed and skills. I also like her supporting cast and what she will do for the rookie franchise. Hard for me to pick anyone else, but a few other players could win it. Unfortunately Crystal Dunn as a defender won’t get the props she deserves. DiBernardo could do really well, if she stays healthy and needs to be a big part of her team.
Janet Rayfield (@janetrayfield): I have a special place for Vanessa DiBernardo, but only partly because she played for the Fighting Illini. I also happen to think she is/will be one of the best midfielders in the world – and sooner rather than later. The midfield in that U20 Team was REALLY special – Brian, DiBernardo, Killion, Mewis, Laddish … lots of national team potential there as Morgan Brian has already shown. Vanessa has special physical, technical and tactical attributes that make players around her better and her ability to cover ground both quickly in the specific moment and over the long haul of a game is incredible.
That being said – hard not to vote for Crystal Dunn because I think she has continued to improve and her abilities to impact the game on both sides of the ball are tremendous. Also, her experience with the full national team give her a head start in feeling the game at the pace and intensity that it can be played at the professional level. Julie Johnston is also another one with the potential to impact – she will be a key piece for Chicago especially with their need for defenders (which may not be her long term best position).
Then if you factor in the POYs are often those with the stats to back up the selection, it is hard not to look at players like Ohai and Hayes – scorers, attacking threats...
So...there are my thoughts without making the actual selection!
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