WPS General Draft reaction from Sky Blue FC Head Coach and General Manager Ian Sawyers:
Again, as in the last draft, I am delighted with the mix of players I was able to select. In this group we have international experience, either the full US National team, Under 23 or Under 20 US National teams. So they've played in big games, under pressure, and they bring that high level of playing experience with them to our team. All four of them also come from high level collegiate programs; at least two have won NCAA National Championships.
Trying to do your homework is the most difficult thing; especially when there are a lot of concerns, ground to be covered, budgetary constraints, and seeing players at the peak of their playing season, which is not always easy. As soon as I got on board I immediately went to Portugal (to the Algarve Cup in February) to try to get the download on international players, W-League and WPSL games and combines, and players in collegiate environment to try to get a sense of the general depth of talent. It all affects your perspective on both American and international talent, and assists in maximizing the odds, so you are always reaching for the cream of the crop.
One of the things you’ll see in WPS, is that coaches have chosen international players for almost all the offensive skill positions. One of great results is that Americans will compete with and against them, get better from that, and learn from them.
One of the major differences between the WPS and my tenure with the WUSA is we don’t have the headliners this time around. There’s no Mia Hamm, Birgit Prinz-- the real household names ’99 brought. The beauty of this is that WPS will make a lot of stars. For some of these players, their professional journey is just beginning. Being able to forge their way into the American consciousness will be an exciting journey for them.
My wife and child haven’t seen me in three weeks. This last week I had to get my blackberry surgically removed from my ear—I was talking to so many players, interviewing them. The thing we all have to remember is that this is like the futures market. You’re banking that even while you’ve seen these players, they come in fit, healthy, and strong. That’s the investment you’re willing to take, based on your character assessment as well as an evaluation of their soccer. For the most part, I was lucky in the past. I’ve had a lot of success with my speculation. I really feel good about our group, who are great people, as well as great athletes and soccer players. One of our major challenges will be to make them into a great team.
The most important part of any team is that it becomes a meritocracy; that players earn their way onto the team. There are some who have earned respect by winning gold medals and World Cups, and there are some staring their journey. Senior players will want to prove they’re worthy, and junior players will want to establish themselves. We want to create an environment that allows for both, as well as a strong sense of team cohesion.
SKY BLUE SOCCER BLOG EXCLUSIVE!
Mark Krikorian's vast experience makes his views on the Olympics and WPS uniquely valuable. Currently women's head coach at top-ranked Florida State University (2008 NCAA Championship runner-up), he coached the USA Under-19 Women's National team in the 2004 World Championship. He was head coach of the Philadelphia Charge of the WUSA. His assistant at that time was current head USA Women's National coach Pia Sundhage.
How is the USA doing in the Olympics in your opinion?
It is obvious that Pia and her staff have made significant changes to style. They are probably combining different philosophies, necessitated in part by the absence of talented players through injury. It is nice to see the team trying to keep and pass the ball, and work at their defending, as well as making their opponents work to defend them.
What do you think coach Sundhage is saying to the team?
She is being positive, optimistic-- as always. She recognizes they were off to a bad start in the first game. But since then, things have gone well, and the team has been rewarded with a favorable first place in their group. No disrespect to Canada, (who the US is playing next), but they would probably agree with the other countries that at this stage, they all would prefer to avoid Brazil and Germany.
What do you predict for the tournament?
It seems as though the brackets are good for the US. They are fortunate to get through, and if they win against Canada, they'll play either Japan or China. So for now, they get to avoid both Germany and Brazil. They are in a good position. But we all know if you get to the final, anything can happen. However, the US play is positive thus far in the sense they are limiting their opponents chances for success while creating their own opportunities.
What do you think the impact of the Olympics is on WPS?
I feel it is positive in many ways. Women's soccer is on national television. There is talk of the new league, and about how the former league (WUSA) helped develop players' careers. The same success stories on the US team that came out of WUSA are anticipated for WPS.
It is widely believed that the WUSA helped international player to develop and excel.. With the rest of the world catching up to the US in women's soccer, do you feel that will be the reverse in the WPS-that the international players will bring their abilities and understanding of the game to the benefit of educating Americans?
I believe that in the WUSA, internationals did develop, and grew to recognize both the strengths and weaknesses of their American counterparts. For one thing, they recognized the Americans are human. The WUSA nurtured players like Hege Riisa of Norway, and Kelly Smith of England. If WPS can bring certain internationals in-- clever and skillful players like Marta of Brazil-- our young American players in the league, and youth in general, can grow by leaps and bounds.
The administrators in WUSA did a great job of securing the best international players. I hope WPS can bring in such positive flair. It raises the credibility of the league worldwide. The top internationals will give the league instant credibility. It will also give players and fans a wonderful opportunity to see them.. A picture of the sport at the highest level will help grow the game.
What do you feel the impact of WPS will be on younger players, from collegiate to the youth level?
I hope that as just as with the WUSA, young players can have the goal, and the dream, that one day they can play professionally. I know that players on the college level are ambitious and hoping to play in WPS, and that they have this dream. WPS will have a fantastic impact in the US on women's soccer, and internationally as well. Hopefully, WPS will grow the game so that all female players can live their dream.
SBS Blogger
Our webman Patric Santo Pietro sent the Sky Blue staff this very thorough and interesting article on the business angles of WPS. I would bet our many corporate and sports-savvy audience would find it particularly interesting. http://www.cfo.com/article.cfm/11701746/c_11730537?f=magazine_coverstory
In addition to our careful, consistent and often all-consuming focus at Sky Blue and WPS on the multitude of factors that will make this league a success, it is equally interesting to speculate on the "ins and outs" of the player draft. The schedule I put up yesterday (see below) begins to tell the story. The number of spots open in the initial 7-team league (with hopes for an 8th team the first year) is literally dwarfed by the number of players who hope and dream to play in this league. The allocation of three national team players per franchise, plus two internationals (and many more who will try out), plus the cream of the crop for whom there aren't enough spots on the full team squad, but have been in it, or could be in it--surely would fill the starting 11 spots for each team. What happens to the scores of great players who did time in the WUSA? Or, those playing overseas, who if necessary, would sprout their own wings to fly home for the combine?
And yet to be figured into this group are those rising college seniors, surely a good number of whom are clear choices for WPS. Then, there are the current W-League players, a number of whom are capable of playing pro (and who have, in the last league). And I'd bet I'm missing some category--for example, is there a hungry workhorse or two who may arise from open tryouts?
I'd say that at the very least, and looking at the bright side, each franchise certainly has a wealth of selection material. I'd also not be going out on a limb to verify the WPS claim that it will most certainly be the best women's soccer league in the world. In addition to the quality of play we can expect, what intrigues me is the prospect of seeing the combination of styles of play, abilities, and backgrounds. Much of what was great about the WUSA, is that it exposed us (particularly the all-important rising youth players) to different players from around the world, and to the inherent strengths of various soccer cultures: the athleticism and winning mentality of the Americans, the art and technical skill of the Brazilians, the experience and success of the Germans. On our doorstep will be the American women players we so admire and are so decorated, together with those who possess the understanding of the game that comes from living in countries where the entire population "speaks football."
There is lots of discussion on all of this, but it's casual--like in our Sky Blue office, or among those sitting in the stands at soccer games. That's why I appreciate the chance to chat about it here. And you're more than welcome to join me!
SBS Blogger
Add comment