It was another busy weekend in and around women’s soccer, highlighted by the US’s 4-1 win over China that wrapped up the Fan Tribute Tour and the 2012 season. Abby Wambach scored twice and will celebrate the new year trailing Mia Hamm by six for the most goals in US history (158-152).
Halftime of the match saw the rather low-key unveiling of the name and logo for the new women’s pro league. The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is scheduled to begin play next April with eight teams. We’re still waiting on a name out of the Seattle entry.
Speaking of NWSL—and it’s good to have a name—Examiner reported over the weekend that player allocations will take place before the end of the calendar year. A total of 52 players (24 US, 16 Canadian, 12 Mexican) are expected to be allocated to the eight clubs.
Hope Solo may or may not be one of the 24 players allocated by the US. The Palm Beach Post quoted Solo as saying she is still undecided about participating in the new league.
U.S. Soccer also announced the first match National Team match of 2013. The new season kicks off Feb. 9 in Jacksonville with the US facing Scotland. It figures to be a special sideline debut for incoming coach and Scotland native Tom Sermanni, who takes the reins Jan. 1.
Sermanni’s most important goal will be guiding the U.S. to its first World Cup victory since the magical 1999 tournament. The 2015 event, to be held in Canada, had its logo unveiled last week. The event will take place in June-July 2015. Here is an up-close of the logo from Canada midfielder Kaylyn Kyle.
And two interesting tidbits from across the pond. In France, former Washington Freedom star Camile Abily was one of several inked to a contract extension by Lyon. Abily was a popular figure during her two years with the Freedom, 2009-2010. In ’09 Abily was briefly teammates with Ali Krieger. Krieger tweeted goodbye to her Frankfurt teammates, spurring speculation she will play in NWSL.
