With just two rounds left, the W-League playoff picture is starting to take form. Several teams grabbed crucial points this weekend, as the top four table spots are being claimed.
Melbourne dropped points late this week and with Sydney winning both of their games, there’s a tie atop the table. Canberra found a way to shake off their losing streak and Perth finally grabbed a much-needed three points.
By JJ Duke
For the first women’s soccer draft open to the public for a fair few years, today’s NWSL College Draft made headlines in a few ways. A packed room at the Philadelphia Convention Center saw 36 graduating seniors learn the fate of where they will be continuing their soccer careers. There were some parts of the drafts that went as expected, other parts that weren’t expected and nearly double-digit amount of team timeouts during the draft.
by JJ Duke
There are not many places that I can think of where I would see a combination of the above actually happening. Well, in the span of three hours, I saw a presentation about the specifics of FIFA Turf Quality and what truly determines FIFA Quality Turf from the average turf field, seeing Michelle Akers and UCLA Head Coach Amanda Cromwell making beach houses with Play-Doh and meeting people that I have worked with for nearly two years, but meeting face-to-face for the first time.
Each year, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) recognizes writers for their contributions in its Annual Writing Contest.
Morgan Andrews, now at Notre Dame, won for high school entry for her work in Our Game Magazine‘s March 2013 issue. You can read it below.
by JJ Duke
Earlier this week I had an opportunity to speak with Laura Harvey, the Head Coach of the Seattle Reign, for a feature for the March print edition of Our Game Magazine. Here is a sneak peak of what Harvey and I talked about during the interview, focusing on the off season acquisitions that the Seattle Reign have made.
In part II of our NWSL College Draft Preview, we will be breaking down each team in the NWSL and what their needs will be come draft day. It has been a busy off season thus far with free agent signings, multiple trades and with the introduction of the Houston Dash, an expansion draft. But now with teams gearing up towards Friday morning’s College Draft, teams will hope to fill some of those needs from America’s rising talent.
Melbourne was able to hold their spot on top of the table while Brisbane and Sydney attempted to keep pace with wins of their own. Adelaide was looking to build on their recent good form, however Western Sydney spoiled their chance for three points.
Two blowouts and two shutouts rounded out the first W-League weekend of 2014 and these first results of the new year showed a rather wide gap between the top teams in the league, and those struggling at the bottom of the ladder. As Melbourne looked to continue their fine form, Adelaide continues to surprise.
With the 2014 National Women’s Soccer League College Draft just two weeks away, Our Game Magazine will be breaking down all the Draft in two parts. Part One will be the Draft Big Board with a ranking of players by position and some sleepers that you will want to keep your eyes on come Draft Day. Part Two will break down each team of what they have done over the off season and what they positions they will be looking to fill via the draft.