WPS allocates U.S. WNT players

On September 16, 2008, Women’s Professional Soccer took its first step to assembling teams’ rosters for the 2009 season, set to begin in April. Each of the seven teams was allocated three players from the U.S. National Team player pool. Prior to the allocation, players and teams submitted their preferences, but the decisions were ultimately up to the league as to who went where. Next week, the league will have an international draft of the top players. The order of this draft will be determined by rankings from who is the weakest to who is the strongest team thus far. During this week, teams will gain the rights to negotiate with up to four international players.

Here is a breakdown of the allocation and an evaluation of teams’ current status:

Bay Area
Nicole Barnhart - GK
Rachel Buehler - D
Leslie Osborne - M

Breakdown: Obviously, the team wanted to go defensive and bring local stars back to the area. The team though lacks national team experience. Barnhart was a solid keeper at Stanford (’05), but only has 10 caps with the team, while backing up Hope Solo. Buehler was a defensive specialist for Stanford (’07), but a loaded U.S. backline has left her on the sidelines. Osborne, a graduate of Santa Clara, will be the face of the team. Possibly expecting to land in Chicago, the Wisconsin native returns to the Bay Area looking to pick up where she left off prior to tearing her ACL leading up to the Olympics. She will be a steady player in the center of the midfield as she has quickly been making a name for herself on the national team in recent years.

Outlook: While they’re all young and aside from Osborne inexperienced at the highest level, the sky could be the limit for this trio in the future.

Boston Breakers
Angela Hucles - F
Kristine Lilly - F
Heather Mitts - D

Breakdown: I’m a little puzzled by these picks. They have firepower up top with Lilly and Lloyd and a solid right back with Mitts, but how long with these three be with this team. Mitts’ desire to play in Philadelphia is no secret and will most likely bolt in 2010 when their franchise begins play. Lilly was in the group with Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy so she will most likely won’t be around very long. All three bring a tremendous amount of experience which will be a huge benefit to the organization.

Outlook: A solid group of veterans will lead this team to good first season, but after that, their future will be up in the air.

Chicago Red Stars
Carli Lloyd - M
Kate Markgraf - D
Lindsay Tarpley - F

Breakdown: Chicago went for a little of everything. All three have been staples of the U.S. team for awhile and have played quite well for them. There’s a reason they’ve been in the mix if not starting for some time. They are all very solid players at their positions. This team really got everything a team could ask for with this trio.

Outlook: Led by that trio, this team could be the team looking for a league title at the end of the inaugural season.

Los Angeles
Shannon Box - M
Stephanie Cox - D
Aly Wagner - M

Breakdown: For being a major market, the allocations are a bit questionable unless the team is hoping to nab one of the top international players, preferably a striker. One main reason these three could have ended up here is that they are all California natives. Wagner hasn’t seen much action as of late so it will be interesting to see how she performs. Box is typically solid, but does have her moments and Cox is a solid defender, but has shown signs of inexperience in the past.

Outlook: Unless they bring in some international offense, it could be a long first season.

Sky Blue FC
Natasha Kai - F
Heather O’Reilly -F
Christie Rampone - D

Breakdown: Like Chicago, a very good allocation. Rampone will be a staple on the backline and her experience will do wonders as she returns home to New Jersey. O’Reilly also returns to her home state and will pair nicely with Kai. They could potentially be the most lethal tandem up front if the team brings in the midfield players to support them.

Outlook: They should be at the top with Chicago when it’s all said and done at the end of the season.

St. Louis
Lori Chalupny - M
Tina Ellertson - D
Hope Solo - GK

Breakdown: St. Louis must be feeling comfortable with the world’s top keeper. Paired with the home town girl Chalupny, these two made their allocation. Chalupny has turned into one the most versitle and consistent players on the national team. Ellertson is a wild-card. She’s typically solid, but at times can get a bit risky in the back.

Outlook: This team could potentially be a good team, but other parts need to be filled in to know. If Solo continues progressing, it could be very difficult to score on this team.

Washington Freedom
Ali Krieger - M
Abby Wambach - F
Cat Whitehill - D

Breakdown: Wambach and Whitehill were great pick-ups, if the two can return to form after injuries kept them out of the Olympics. This team will need them to do just that and bring their experience and leadership with them. Krieger is a bit of an unknown, only registering two caps with the national team.

Outlook: High risk, but without the high reward. The talent is there, but there are just too many question marks at the moment.



I will follow up next week after the international draft commences.

*All outlooks are subject to change with the influx of foreign talent.