2016 NWSL / All Women's Soccer/ Happy Holidays Edition

2016 NWSL Happy Holidays Edition. A look back at the 2016 year and a look ahead to 2017.This is a brief look at the world of soccer at the end of 2016.

Happy Holidays to all of the NWSL and U.S. and Canadian Women’s Soccer fans reading this! This is a mix of some potentially bad humor, a quick look at women’s soccer from around the world, a wish list for the NWSL in 2017, and of course the most important thing, that the Holiday season is for giving to those in need.

1. What would be nice for Christmas for the NWSL in 2017.

Here are some random thoughts on what would be nice that the NWSL has for 2017:

A Televison deal. Nothing fancy, but a game per week would be nice. Maybe somehow package it with MLS like the W-League of Australia did with the A-League on ESPN? I have no idea if this is legally possible. But I think the MLS could benefit from attracting NWSL soccer fans. and the MLS fans might watch a NWSL game as well. And maybe a double-header series like the Portland Thorns and Timbers play back to back, along with Houston Dash and Dynamo, and so on. Hopefully, maybe have something like unrelated MLS and NWSL teams “pair up”, such as Boston Breakers play after the New England Revolution, and have Washington Spirit team up with D.C. United on TV.
All-Star Game ideas.
1. I think having the All-Star Game about a week after the Championship would be good. It would mean that “everyone” can play, and you would not have to worry about any players getting hurt during the season and for the playoffs.
2. Another possibility is to have the All-Star Game a few hours before the Championship and make it a double-header. You will not have the Championship players in the All-Star Game itself, but it would be fun to see the other league players get a chance to be part of the Championship festivities. It would certainly give all NWSL fans a reason to travel to the Championship site.
3. An idea of how to determine teams – have the fans vote, but split all the NWSL players on each team into 2 pools. Each NWSL team must have 4 players represented at the All-Star Game, and every team has 2 players on “All Star Team A” and 2 players on “All-Star Team B”. It will be a little clunky to execute, but you will need a system where each team gets 2 goalies, and something like 7 defenders, 4 forwards, and 7 midfielders. And of course, unlimited substitutions so everyone can play. Maybe use NCAA College Soccer Rules? But at least at an All-Star Game like this, it does not matter who wins or loses.
4. Here is a silly All-Star Game idea, but have a “co-ed” soccer game with the MLS and NWSL players on the same field together (maybe “East” vs. “West”). Each team would have to have at least 5 NWSL players on the field with 6 MLS players. Or better yet, make it 6 NWSL players with 6 MLS players. I think if they got together for a charity event and put it on TV, you would get a lot of support.
Expansion! Oh wait, that’s 2018. Nevermind.
More pay for minimum wage! I hate seeing promising young players “retire” at age 25 because NWSL soccer does not pay them enough to eat for 6 months.

2. New Year’s Resolutions

I refuse to make New Year’s resolutions. Every time years ago, I would go on a diet and exercise, then I would be sick with the flu for 2 or 3 weeks. Apparently my stomach/intestinal bacteria revolted and demand that I bring back milk chocolate, caramel, ice cream, and other sugary substances. So far, nowadays, that partnership works out okay. I can’t live without those little critters, and they would not be around if not for me. Besides, exercise is painful. It’s a win – win.

So, if I cannot make a New Year’s Resolution, I don’t expect anyone else to either. Not even the U.S. Soccer Federation / U.S. Women’s National Team (but they should!).

3. U.S. / Canada Women’s Soccer

If the U.S. Women’s National Team cannot play like a team (hinted above in “Resolutions”), and bring home an Olympic Medal, then at least we can root for Canada!
More FIFA criminal activity spotted recently. Jill Ellis and Carli Lloyd are both in the final 3 for FIFA Women’s Coach and Player of the Year? Say what? No John Herdman? No Christine Sinclair? 🙁 Good thing that Canadians do not have anger issues. They “wuz” robbed!
I suggest that they change the name of their national anthem to “Go! Canada!” It will make them feel better.

4. It’s Summertime!

In Australia! For those of you who love women’s soccer, there is the W-League of Australia. About a game per week can be found on ESPN3. There are high quality Australian players playing along with some NWSL favorites and other great players from around the world. It gives women’s soccer fans something to look forward to until the NWSL season starts up in April.

5. Olympique Lyonnais

I borrowed the below Olympique Lyonnais roster from Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympique_Lyonnais_(Women)

New Zealand /

If you look at the player roster you will see a lot of familiar names on the international soccer community. This team is downright, um, sick. No wonder the French National Team cannot win any championships. Many of their best players are on this team whipping on hapless opponents. Apparently, only Paris St. Germain is the only other team in the Division 1 Feminine League that offer any competition in the main French women’s soccer league.

And their owner was “stalking” Alex Morgan to join this team? There’s no place for Morgan to play, unless she wants to become a goalie. This is a case where a team has too much talent for their own good. If the French want to be more competitive in international tournaments, then they should have rules in place to make the teams more equal. I am sure the French fans would be more interested in the games if every game was close. Moreover, it would also help the French National team players every week as they would be in more competitive games. Blowout victories do not help player skills.