League Update

Sunday, 10 May 09, 07:36 PM · Comments(1)

First off, let be begin by saying that this is an independent blog, and it does not reflect the views of any WPS players, coaches, staff, or league officials. This is all my own opinion.

The first big news of the league is the trade between the LA Sol and St. Louis Athletica. The Sol gave forward Christie Welsh and defender Kendall Fletcher to St. Louis, and will receive a conditional 2010 first-round draft pick, and a 2011 first-round draft pick. The Sol will get the first-round draft pick on 2010 only if St. Louis finishes as a top 5 team. If they fail to do so, the first-round pick becomes a second-round pick.

"We had no choice due to Daniela’s injury so we had to make a change in the roster. We lacked a little bit of offense and we lacked physical play in the middle," said head coach Jorge Barcellos. "Fletcher has a lot of potential and is a very physical player in the middle and Welsh is a player who shoots well from outside of the box. I hope they can contribute to what we are doing here in St. Louis."

I think both Welsh and Fletcher will have a good season playing in St. Louis, and they will definitely help the team. Athletica midfielder Lori Chalupny basically summarized everything for me.

"I think we acquired two world class players," she said. "I think Kendall Flecther is one of the best defenders in the United States and Christie Welsh is a powerful forward with a knack for burying her chances. I think they will certainly blend in with the team and help us in our goal of winning the WPS Championship."

The next big news in the league that has almost everyone upset is the one-game suspensions for Washington Freedom forward Abby Wambach, and St. Louis Athletica midfielder Kia McNeill. Abby Wambach was suspended for the next Washington match that she is able to play in for a "tackle in the 80th minute that was reckless and resulted in a potentially season-ending injury of an opposing player." Kia McNeill was suspended from the next St. Louis match thatshe is able to play in for "persistent egregious conduct toward an opposing player."

I think both of these suspensions were not necessary. The Freedom-Athletica match did get physical, but I think in the end, both teams want to win and it's just part of the game. Abby was late in her tackle on Daniela, and caused her a broken tibia and torn knee ligaments, but I've seen other players hurt opponents and they never were suspended for it. McNeill also had a rough game. I think maybe if this rule had been more out there, the players wouldn't play so rough and let things get out of hand.

McNeill did play in this week's match. There is a seven-day period for the players to appeal. St. Louis has a game scheduled for this weekend, and Freedom is on a bye week, so their next match would be after the March 14 deadline for appeal. League Commissioner Tonya Antonucci "has determined that the one-day window between the Thursday-evening decision and the Saturday game is a unique and extenuating circumstance and will make a one-time exception to allow McNeill to play this weekend during the pendency of any appeal, should there be one."

Now for some fun stats. (Week 7 included)

102,226 tickets have been sold throughout the league.

14,832 attended the inaugural match. (highest attendance)

8,031 attended Boston's home game vs LA. (second highest attendance)

42 goals have been scored this season.

30 different players have scored goals.

13 international players have scored goals.

7 matches were won by one goal.

6 matches ended in a draw.

2.21 goals-per-game average.

This week:

St. Louis 1 (Chalupny, 16'), FC Gold Pride 0