Although the magicTalk SC/Washington Freedom name has not sat well with many fans, the team’s management is building what is rumored to be one of the most competitive squad in Women’s Professional Soccer.
Indeed, former Freedom and U.S. Women’s National Team goalkeeper Brianna Scurry will be the team’s general manager and Mike Lyons, 2009 champion with Sky Blue FC (in a stint lasted less than a month), will serve as the team’s head coach. Both were present at Friday’s WPS Draft, where the team picked up several star players.
Arguably three first-round caliber picks made their way to magicTalk SC/Washington Freedom in UNC midfielder Meghan Klingenberg (No. 3-overall), MAC Hermann Trophy winner and Stanford forward Christen Press (No. 4) and Florida State midfielder Amanda DaCosta (No. 17), who slid to the third round. The team also picked up former Freedom Futures star Omolyn Davis (No. 10) out of George Mason and Florida goalkeeper Katie Fraine (No. 22).
But regardless of the team’s draftees, fans can expect the club to be extremely competitive in 2011.
“I think we have the best team in the league,” magicTalk SC/Washington Freedom Owner Dan Borislow said. “We have a full roster now.”
Borislow said he is waiting for approval of the signings from WPS before speaking more about the signings, but noted that the squad already features five U.S. Women’s National Team players and three international players.
One of those U.S. players will be Christie Rampone, while Ella Masar and Lindsay Tarpley have also been confirmed as a team signings. Also rumored to be joining the club are Kacey White and Shannon Boxx, though Borislow could not confirm any names beyond Rampone.
Much focus revolves the much-coveted Brazilian midfielder, Marta. Borislow said there is yet to be much progress in discussions with the five-time FIFA World Player of the Year.
“She has a season she’s playing in Brazil that is finished in March or April,” he said, speaking of Marta’s loan with Santos FC. “But we are just keeping in touch with them and we’ll go from there. They want to finish the Brazilian season.”
And as far as venues are concerned, Borislow said that a South Florida venue is yet to be finalized. Many are being considered, he said, though he would not specify which venues. The team will conduct training camp in Florida as well. Borislow also said he is confident that there will be at least some games at the Maryland SoccerPlex. And the message from management is something to the tune of, ‘don’t think we aren’t ready,’ Borislow said.
“Everybody is going to be surprised at the work we’ve done in just the past couple of weeks,” said Borislow, who added that team ownership was officially transfered to him in majority on Jan. 2.