Offseason transactions...
Obviously the biggest one happened today with Amy Rodriguez getting traded to Philly along with their 1st round pick for the upcoming draft for both of Philly's 1st round picks. Seems like this deal will be good for both sides. With the problems that occurred between Amy and Tony DiCicco this season it was clear that something was going to occur during the offseason. Should make the Indy-Breakers matchups very interesting in 2010.
Next would have to be letting Heather Mitts become a free agent. It was obvious from Heather's blog that she really doesn't have a desire to play on the left side of the field and the Breakers were not going to move Alex Scott off of the right side where she made a huge impact in her 1st season in the league. While it is unfortunate that the Breakers couldn't get something in a trade for Mitts it is clear that Mitts wants the opportunity to shop herself and get a spot playing right back for somebody but a return to the Breakers might not be out of the question.
The choice not to renew Nancy A-G and Candice Chapman. Add to that, losing Sue Weber in the expansion draft and potentially losing Mitts in free agency. All of these losses for a backfield which allowed the least amount of shots on goal in the league leaves a lot of question marks in what was the strongest part of the Breakers team. Having both 1st ballot All-Stars Scott and Amy LePeilbet returning does provide some security but there is no one else on the defensive depth chart, as of right now.
The resigning and loan of Jennifer Nobis to Pitea. Resigning Nobis seemed like a 50-50 shot on paper but her tenacity, work ethic and unparalleled spirit made this a no brainer. Loaning her to Pitea who is fighting relegation in the Swedish Damallsvenskan, argueably one of the best leagues in the world, will only improve Nobis' skills and provide her momentum going into next season.
The rumored loans of Kelly Smith and Alex Scott to Arsenal in November. This looks like it is going to happen and it is a good thing. Kelly and Alex came into the new league and exploded onto the scene coming in off the momentum of the WPL season. Hopefully the same will occur this coming season. The only question mark here is if Smith will allow herself enough time for her knee to properly heal from last season's injuries which caused her to miss significant time.
The resigning of Allison Lipsher and Kasey Moore. Obviously the major news here is resigning Lipsher who was the Breakers best goalkeeper last season and argueable one of the best in the league during the 2nd half of the season. With the resigning of Kasey Moore questions loom as to what her role will be for next season. The experiment with Moore in the midfield didn't seem to yield the desired results and things didn't seem to come together for her. With the depletion of the backline, a return of Moore to the centerback position where she excelled in college seems the most likely here.
Kelly Schmedes loss in the expansion draft and resigning of Christine Latham, Mary Francis Monroe, and Maggie Tomecka. The loss of Schmedes seemed to be more of a numbers game than a desire to part company. As for Tomecka, Monroe, and Latham they all had bright spots during the Breakers season but all saw limited action. Tomecka seemed to be making the defensive midfield spot her's in the final games of the season. As for Latham and Monroe it is unclear what their roles will be when the Breakers return to action in 2010 but they both can make their mark on a game.
Breakers current roster at the end of September(with a couple of unconfirmed assumptions)
Allison Lipsher, Alex Scott, Amy LePeilbet, Kasey Moore, Angela Hucles, Kristine Lilly, Maggie Tomecka, Mary-Frances Monroe, Kelly Smith, Christine Latham, and Jennifer Nobis.
Free Agents are: Kristen Luckenbill, Heather Mitts, Nancy A-G, Candice Chapman, Abby Crumpton, Sophia Mundy, Fabiana and Ashley Philips.
With this kind of start it should make for an interesting rest of the off-season.
Next would have to be letting Heather Mitts become a free agent. It was obvious from Heather's blog that she really doesn't have a desire to play on the left side of the field and the Breakers were not going to move Alex Scott off of the right side where she made a huge impact in her 1st season in the league. While it is unfortunate that the Breakers couldn't get something in a trade for Mitts it is clear that Mitts wants the opportunity to shop herself and get a spot playing right back for somebody but a return to the Breakers might not be out of the question.
The choice not to renew Nancy A-G and Candice Chapman. Add to that, losing Sue Weber in the expansion draft and potentially losing Mitts in free agency. All of these losses for a backfield which allowed the least amount of shots on goal in the league leaves a lot of question marks in what was the strongest part of the Breakers team. Having both 1st ballot All-Stars Scott and Amy LePeilbet returning does provide some security but there is no one else on the defensive depth chart, as of right now.
The resigning and loan of Jennifer Nobis to Pitea. Resigning Nobis seemed like a 50-50 shot on paper but her tenacity, work ethic and unparalleled spirit made this a no brainer. Loaning her to Pitea who is fighting relegation in the Swedish Damallsvenskan, argueably one of the best leagues in the world, will only improve Nobis' skills and provide her momentum going into next season.
The rumored loans of Kelly Smith and Alex Scott to Arsenal in November. This looks like it is going to happen and it is a good thing. Kelly and Alex came into the new league and exploded onto the scene coming in off the momentum of the WPL season. Hopefully the same will occur this coming season. The only question mark here is if Smith will allow herself enough time for her knee to properly heal from last season's injuries which caused her to miss significant time.
The resigning of Allison Lipsher and Kasey Moore. Obviously the major news here is resigning Lipsher who was the Breakers best goalkeeper last season and argueable one of the best in the league during the 2nd half of the season. With the resigning of Kasey Moore questions loom as to what her role will be for next season. The experiment with Moore in the midfield didn't seem to yield the desired results and things didn't seem to come together for her. With the depletion of the backline, a return of Moore to the centerback position where she excelled in college seems the most likely here.
Kelly Schmedes loss in the expansion draft and resigning of Christine Latham, Mary Francis Monroe, and Maggie Tomecka. The loss of Schmedes seemed to be more of a numbers game than a desire to part company. As for Tomecka, Monroe, and Latham they all had bright spots during the Breakers season but all saw limited action. Tomecka seemed to be making the defensive midfield spot her's in the final games of the season. As for Latham and Monroe it is unclear what their roles will be when the Breakers return to action in 2010 but they both can make their mark on a game.
Breakers current roster at the end of September(with a couple of unconfirmed assumptions)
Allison Lipsher, Alex Scott, Amy LePeilbet, Kasey Moore, Angela Hucles, Kristine Lilly, Maggie Tomecka, Mary-Frances Monroe, Kelly Smith, Christine Latham, and Jennifer Nobis.
Free Agents are: Kristen Luckenbill, Heather Mitts, Nancy A-G, Candice Chapman, Abby Crumpton, Sophia Mundy, Fabiana and Ashley Philips.
With this kind of start it should make for an interesting rest of the off-season.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Supermokh on -
Wow, this is getting more interesting for 2010 WPS season.
Angela Hucles, retired from International & professional Club?, wow.
All the best to whatever you pursue Ange.
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Permalink Reply by chevy on -
With the signing of Tiffany Weimer and Leslie Osbourne this should definitely solve 2 big offseason problems that the Breakers had.
The addition of Osbourne should close the revolving door that was the defensive midfield position last year. Osbourne has solid credentials at that position and should help prevent most of the turnovers and provide better ball movement into the attacking 1/3rd. Also she should be a good option for headers off of set peices. Her arrival also should send Kasey Moore back to the centerback position where she exceled in college and where she should be able to develop into a solid starter for the Breakers.
Tiffany Weimer doesn't solve all the Breakers scoring problems but it definitely helps. Weimer's skills demands the attention of multiple defenders and at the very least will provide numerous scoring opportunities for both herself and her teammates.
While losing a great, hardworking player like Hucles is not ideal it seems that the Breakers have numerous options at the midfield position and if the Breakers resign Fabiana they should be able to cover the loss of Angela.
Still curious what the Breakers are going to do to replace Mitts from the left back position and if they are going to be able to find a solid scorer up front? If they solve these 2 issues they should look pretty solid going into the spring. The signings of Weimer and Osbourne is definitely a solid job thus far.
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