Houston Dash: A Primer on Women’s Soccer Part III

Aug 24, 2013; Rochester, NY, USA; Western New York Flash midfielder Carli Lloyd (10) controls the ball up field during the second half against the Sky Blue FC at Sahlen

Moving into 2014, some things have changed while others remain the same. One new team, 3 new coaches, new stadiums, Sydney Leroux moved from Boston to Seattle and a makeover of the defending champions are some of the highlights.

Last years playoff teams should be strong once again, Seattle should be much better and the Dash will have to claw and fight their way to reach mid-table respectability. Here is a brief look at each NWSL side and key players to watch.

Portland Thorns FC

It is not often that champions receive a complete makeover, but that is the case with Portland. Head coach Cindy Parlow Cone has resigned for personal reasons and Paul Riley has taken over. Riley promises a different and more entertaining style of soccer: high pressing, attacking and up tempo. A roster overhaul sees only 8 players returning from last season.

Portland’s roster is stocked with quality. Few teams can be missing the likes of Alex Morgan (injury), Tobin Heath (with Paris Saint-Germain until June) and Verónica Boquete (with Tyresö until June) yet still have a plethora of weapons. Christine Sinclair is one of the best forward options in the world, new goalkeeper Nadine Angerer is the 2013 FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year and defender Rachel Van Hollebeke starts for the US Women’s National team. Young midfielders Allie Long and Meleana Shim are developing into stars.

Portland will once again be in the running for the NWSL Championship.

Players to Watch: Alex Morgan, Meleana Shim, Verónica Boquete

Western New York Flash

After losing in the Championship Game last season, the Flash are poised to return with a similar lineup to the one they had last year. They feature US National Team legend Abby Wambach as well as goal scoring midfielder Carli Lloyd. Wambach turns 34 this season, but she is still a dominant force in the box.

Aug 24, 2013; Rochester, NY, USA; Western New York Flash forward Abby Wambach (20) chases after a loose ball during the second half against the Sky Blue FC at Sahlen

The Flash have added Kat Williamson (from Portland) to their back line while Samantha Kerr and Adriana Martin return to play just behind Wambach most likely in a 4-3-3.

The main area of concern for the Flash is at the back. Goalkeeper Adrianna Franch suffered a torn ACL during the preseason, ending her 2014 campaign. In her place, the team signed Australia’s Lydia Williams. Right back Alex Sahlen is out on maternity leave and  Estelle Johnson did not report to camp. As a result, the Flash may find themselves conceding far more often than they did in 2013.

Players to Watch: Abby Wambach, Carli Lloyd, Samantha Kerr

FC Kansas City

In 2013, FC Kansas City played some of the most entertaining soccer in NWSL. They made a clean sweep of post-season awards. Lauren Holiday led the league in goals and assists. However, the team had a troubling habit of falling apart late in games and blowing leads.

Gone is Desiree Scott, who provided a defensive presence in the midfield which let Holiday and Erika Tymrak push forward with abandon. Amy Rodriguez, who is over the century mark in US Women’s National Team CAPs, joins to take some of the scoring pressure off of Holiday.

Finding an adequate replacement in the midfield for Scott, and increasing mental toughness late in matches will be key to FCKC’s success this season.

Players to Watch: Lauren Holiday, Erika Tymrak, Jen Buczkowski

Sky Blue FC

Not much was expected of Sky Blue FC last season, however they surprised everyone by finishing 4th and making the playoffs. They will be looking to do the same this season.

Aug 18, 2013; Boyds, MD, USA; Sky Blue FC midfielder Manya Makosky (22) dribbles the ball down the field during the first half against Washington Spirit at the Maryland Soccerplex Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Frederiksen-USA TODAY Sports

The strength of the team is the back line, led by Christie Rampone who partners with Coco Gooden. Kelley O’Hara, Caitlin Foord and Kendall Johnson are all solid options in the back.

The question are up front at forward. Lisa De Vanne was traded to Boston during the off-season. This leaves Mónica Ocampo and Japanese international Nanase Kiryu needing to score goals. Midfielder Sophie Schmidt, who scored 7 goals last season, will contribute as well.

This is not a sexy team, but it has proven that it knows how to win.

Players to Watch: Mónica Ocampo, Christie Rampone, Sophie Schmidt, Caitlin Foord

Boston Breakers

The biggest move of the off-season for Boston was the trade of Sydney Leroux to Seattle Reign FC. The Breakers will attempt to replace Leroux with Lisa De Vanna, acquired from Sky Blue FC. Lianne Sanderson and Heather O’Reilly, who both scored 5 goals last season, return to be part of the attack as well.

Alyssa Naeher is a quality young keeper, however she has a shaky line in front of her. Cat Whitehill leads the back line, however Boston lacks a proven center back to partner with her. If the center of the defense is leaky, Boston could be in for a long season.

It is tough to replace a player like Leroux and Boston lacks the depth at the back. Expect them to miss the playoffs once again.

Players to Watch: Alyssa Naeher, Heather O’Reilly, Lisa De Vanna

Chicago Red Stars

Chicago’s two key off-season additions will not be with the team at the start of the season. US Women’s National Team forward, Christen Press, will join following the completion of Tyresö’s Champions League campaign. Melissa Tancredi (briefly with Houston) is finishing chiropractor school. Chicago traded US Women’s National Team defender, Amy LePeilbet, to FCKC for their 2015 1st round College Draft pick and an international slot.

Newly acquired keeper, Karina LeBlanc (Portland) replaces Erin McLeod who was traded to Houston. Lori Chalupny returns in the midfield.

Chicago will likely struggle until Tancredi and Press arrive. Even after that, they are likely not a playoff team.

Players to Watch: Lori Chalupny, Rachel Quon, Christen Press

Jun 23, 2013; Rochester, NY, USA; Seattle Reign FC defender Elli Reed (7) prepares to take a shot during the second half against the Western New York Flash at Sahlen

Seattle Reign FC

Despite some big name players on Seattle Reign FC such as Hope Solo (injuries) and Megan Rapinoe (who did not join until June) last season, the team under performed and only Washington kept them from finishing bottom of the table. During the off-season, coach Laura Harvey has made a number of trades and added a lot of firepower.

Seattle will benefit from a full season of Rapinoe this season plus the addition of speedy US forward Sydney Leroux. Japanese international Nahomi Kawasumi has looked very good in the preseason, the combination of her along with Leroux, Rapinoe, Jessica Fishlock and Kim Little, who has already made 95 appearances for Scotland and scored 32 goals at the age of 23, should mean goals.

Keeping Hope Solo healthy and in goal will be key, but Seattle should be much better this season.

Players to Watch: Megan Rapinoe, Sydney Leroux, Kim Little, Nahomi Kawasumi

Washington Spirit

Washington were poor last season, only managing to find the back of the net 16 times in 22 games while conceding a league leading 39 goals. As a result, Washington brought in a new coach (Mark Parsons) and got rid of most of their forwards of a year ago.

The #1 overall pick in the College Draft, Crystal Dunn, has been cast as an attacker rather than a defender as many thought would be the case. Danesha Adams (briefly with the Dash) and Renae Cueller (FCKC) will likely partner with English newcomer, Jodie Taylor, who joins from Sydney FC and reduce the scoring burden of Diana Matheson out of the midfield.

As poor as Washington was last season, there is nowhere to go but up.

Players to Watch: Diana Matheson, Crystal Dunn, Ranae Cueller

Houston Dash

Initially the Dash looked to have one of the best back lines in the league with Canadian international Lauren Sesselmann, Japanese international Aya Sameshima and US Women’s National Team defenders Whitney Engen and Meghan Klingenberg.

Unfortunately, Sesselmann is lost for the season with a torn ACL and Sameshima is back in Japan with a torn meniscus. Engen and Klingenberg will join the team by June at the latest following the completion of current club Tyresö’s UEFA Champions League campaign. Until then, the Dash’s back line is young and inexperienced.

Coach Randy Waldrum has hand picked players that fit a certain prototype and with which he is familiar. He knows how to get the most out of his players and many of them were unwanted by their previous clubs so have something to prove.

If Brittany Bock and Becky Edwards can remain healthy, the Dash should have a solid midfield. Ella Masar provides strength up front while the extremely pace Kealia Ohai looks like a potential star.

The Dash have a difficult schedule to start the season and will likely see their back line exploited early and often. Once Engen and Klingenberg arrive, the team should see its fortunes improve a bit. The playoffs are an unrealistic target, but a mid-table finish would be a great outcome for an expansion side.

Players to Watch: Ari Romero, Brittany Bock, Kealia Ohai, Ella Masar

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Portland Thorns FC

2. FC Kansas City

3. Western New York Flash

4. Seattle Reign FC

5. Sky Blue FC

6. Houston Dash

7. Boston Breakers

8. Washington Spirit

9. Chicago Red Stars