W-League Preview
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
The W-League’s Western Conference had a runaway winner in 2012, with the Pali Blues remaining undefeated all the way to the league championship game, where they fell in a penalty shootout against the Ottawa Fury. This season seems set to offer a raised level of competition throughout the conference, with newcomer the Bay Area Breeze hoping to challenge the Blues and the Seattle Sounders Women for conference supremacy.
The Colorado Rush, Colorado Rapids Women and Santa Clarita Blue Heat weren’t far off the pace in 2012, while the LA Strikers have high hopes for an improved campaign.
Bay Area Breeze – The San Francisco-based side arrives in the W-League with the expectation of competing immediately for the playoffs. Led by former Australian U17 National Team coach Vicki Linton, the Breeze are looking for strong seasons from former Sky Blue FC defender Danielle Johnson, who also brings W-League experience having played in every game a season ago for Vancouver. Marissa Mykines also arrives from the Whitecaps, while the Breeze will also look for good seasons from former Oregon State standouts Namja Homidi and Brittany Galindo.
Colorado Rapids Women – The Rapids Women had a number of positive performances in 2012 as they partnered with the MLS side for the first time, and will aim to build on that success with a number of key players returning for the new season. Among them is leading scorer Erin Gunther, who had six goals and an assist while playing every minute of every contest. Australian international Brooke Spence also returns after spending the winter in her homeland playing for the Melbourne Roar.
Colorado Rush – The Rush edged out their in-state rival the Rapids by a point to take third place in the conference, and will try to bridge the gap between themselves and Pali and Seattle this season. Leading scorer Danica Evans, who had five goals and two assists last summer, returns to the side, as does goalkeeper Megan McCain, who posted a 1.333 goals-against average in six appearances. Other key returnees include defender Samantha Harder and midfielder Jacy Drobny, both of whom recorded more than 1,000 minutes a season ago.
LA Strikers – Looking overseas to boost their standing, the Strikers appointed former England Women’s National Team coach Tracy Kevins to lead the team this season. Following the appointment, overseas talent has followed, including former England international Kristy Moore. Others added to the squad include Cal-State Fullerton standout Ann Marie Tangorra, who had six goals and three assists last fall in her senior season, and Victoria Boardman, a former England U18 international.
Pali Blues – After reaching the W-League championship game for the first time since their 2009 championship, the Blues have reloaded with another strong squad as they look for their third title. Joining the squad is Edite Fernandes, who had nine goals for the Santa Clarita Blue Heat in 2012, and former U.S. U20 National Team member Samantha Mewis, who helped lead the U.S. to victory last year in Japan. Defensively, goalkeeper Anna Maria Picarelli returns to the side after winning Goalkeeper of the Year last summer after posting a goals-against average of 0.216 in 14 games.
Santa Clarita Blue Heat – Santa Clarita enters the new season with a new coach, with former Blackpool player Anthony Rodwell taking the reins. Rodwell will have some talent to work with, too, with 2011 Goalkeeper of the Year Cynthia Jacobo returning to the side. The departure of Edite Fernandes to Pali will need to be addressed, but the Blue Heat will have Stacey Rodwell back in the side and aiming to add to her three goals a season ago.
Seattle Sounders Women – After having a star-studded lineup a season ago that helped them to second place in the conference, the Sounders Women have again built a strong squad as they challenge Pali at the top of the standings. Jenna Richardson arrives from the Whitecaps Women, for whom she had four goals and four assists last summer, and she will be joined by returning forward Linsday Elston. Also joining the squad is Canadian goalkeeper Erin McNulty, who helped Penn State reach the NCAA Championship game last fall.