Catching Up

 

The Immortal Kelly Smith

It feels like it's been ages since I last posted on the blog, and rightly so, it has. Since I made a post a new World Player of the Year has been crowned, a legend announced her retirement from the international stage, USA aren't the number one team in the World anymore -hence the recent usual fan boy/girl USWNT moans- and lets not get started on the whole Hope Solo issue. International teams would be playing each other in preparation for the World Cup which is less than 98 days away now and I'm personally excited about the Domestic Leagues kicking off in the coming months here in America and overseas in the England.

Nadine Kessler wins World POTY
I might have mentioned it once or twice a few posts ago that Kessler was the ultimate favorite for the World Cup. The Wolfsburg captain was rock solid in her 2014 season and won every tournament that came her way except for the domestic cup -DFB Pokal- for both club and country, being an impact player as well in all of them. Marta came second after being nominated for the 10th straight time and Abby Wambach was third in the voting order.

Kelly Smith Tribute
I decided to design the header of the blog in honor of one of the best players that would ever graze the pitch, England's Kelly Smith was truly one of a kind. The announcement of her retirement came just a few days before England's squad to play the USA was announced. Smith retires as the Lionesses record scorer of 46 goals in 117 caps for the country, she could have gotten more but for the recent hampering of injuries in her career. Smith however has signed a new contract with Arsenal Ladies, so as for WSL teams it wouldn't be the last they see of Mrs. Arsenal.
Her career high generally would be coming third at the 2009 FIFA Women's Player of the Year award, behind the likes of  Birgit Prinz and Marta. A Once in a life time player, and in terms of trail blazers she's up there with the likes of Mia Hamm.
A true great.

Red, white and blue? Who?
The tide seems to be changing in terms of the ultimate power house in International Women's Football. USA lost their number one spot to the Germans after a string of lackluster results in recent favorites, but does it make them any less dangerous? Members of the USWNT team have spoken out that it doesn't matter who is number one on the ranks, all that counts is who is lifting the trophy in July, they are right. USA especially have been under the microscope recently, even people who take occasional interest in the women's game every four years.
If Jose Mourinho thinks there's a media agenda on him he hasn't seen the Jill Ellis situation, the USWNT coach has been heaped pressure on by the likes of some 99ers, coach Tony DiCicco and Michel Akkers definitely haven't sounded positive regarding the selections and decisions of Ellis and let's not forget the twitter analysts and USWNT bandwagon.
I might have mentioned a few things Ellis has been criticized of in past blogs however, despite the dire status of the USA I think it's all an overreaction, they might not be as good as they were in 2012 and might still be in transition with all the old guards being blended in by the new generation but never count out a team that can score a quarterfinal equalizer in the 122nd minute.

NCAA Philadelphia
Finally, I went for the NWSL draft which held in Philadelphia and it was amazing. I managed to get Seattle Reign's coach, Laura Harvey's autograph and the holy grail for me was meeting Chelsea Ladies manager, Emma Hayes. Emma and I had a little fan/coach chat about Chelsea Ladies, her letting Yuki Ogimi go and how she was disappointed to lose out on Asisat Oshoala to Liverpool. Emma also had good things to say about the Nigerian national team and I may or may not have teased her about her considering to coach us sometime in the future after we win a quadruple. Rounding the day off with a picture and an autograph, I was already way excited for the new FAWSL season. Domestically, I'm focused on supporting Sky Blue FC for the new season, so I guess 'Once a Blue always a Blue.'
Personally, I'm just so hype for women's football this year!

Happy New -World Cup- Year!

Canada 2015 Cool World Cup Poster

It's very hard not to get excited for what will be unfolding in the summer as we have entered the year 2015. A World Cup year is always special and after the exciting spectacle of the men's World Cup last year in Brazil I'm very much looking forward to this year's women's World Cup in Canada.

Last year was indeed very exciting, it was my first time of truly following most of the top women's leagues in the world. I also believe I watched more live global women's games last year and believe me it's very hard to juggle following and live viewing both men's and women's football, however it's worth it.

Moving on, in preparation for the World Cup this year, I'm hoping we -all of us interested in the women's game- can do enough to build the hype for this year's World Cup, because every World Cup is worth the hype, (I have never watched a boring one) and by 'building the hype' I mean using whatever outlet you seem to be good at to raise awareness and thrill for the exciting spectacle.

How can we do that? Compilation videos, cool digital wallpapers, articles, blogging and all that in mass quantities, believe me after that people who might not be remotely as interested or casual watchers of women's football would gain interest. After all, if not for major You Tube videos I wouldn't be as deep as I am in this Universe.

Case and point, as we celebrate this new year let's start prepping and building a buzz for the World Cup. I know the media -the ones interested in the women's game- have already started making moves regarding the tournament. The BBC are sure to show every game of the World Cup for the UK, FOX seem to have it under control in the USA -here's hoping to actual good soccer commentary/analysis- and Telemundo for the Spanish television here in the States too, Euro Sports and other European Media would show the games and I'm pretty sure there would be live streams flooding (sorry) the internet for each games.

And in case you just seem to be a casual reader/watcher/follower of women's football, or perhaps you want to know more, there's a few out lets I can lead you to.
On You Tube: Search for the Jigsaww Page. The account does incredible compilations.
For Podcasts: Search for 'Wosozone'. To listen to the latest views on the women's game and 'WWF Show', they do the same also, in a more frenzy way.
On Facebook: You can follow the NWSL Supporters Group. Where NWSL fans are majorly involved in and general women's football matters are also discussed in.
Get involved, grow the game and catch the excitement.

Happy New Year Once Again.
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I might go a bit AWOL on the blog as I would be trying to put various information and all that regarding articles on teams I would want to preview this year.