Also in today’s roundup, Germany, England, and France announce rosters, Denmark players may boycott World Cup qualifying, and Chelsea sign Norwegian defender Maria Thorisdottir
Steph Labbe will miss the rest of 2017 on a medical leave of absence (photo copyright Linehan Photography for The Equalizer)
Washington Spirit goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe, who has missed the last two matches with excused absences, will not play for the team again in 2017 due to a medical leave of absence.
“Steph has been an important part of our team the past two seasons and has grown and developed as a player and person,” Spirit head coach and general manager Jim Gabarra said in a statment. “We have had discussions over the last couple of weeks and believe she needs some additional time away. We support and will continue to support Steph throughout this process.”
Labbe joined NWSL and the Spirit for the 2016 season. She was originally allocated to the Red Stars but traded to the Spirit in a prearranged deal for Amanda Da Costa. She was the regular goalkeeper for the first half of 2016 before leaving to help Canada take Bronze at the Olympics. Labbe returned to find Kelsey Wys in top form and the Spirit rolling, and never returned to the field. It looked like she was headed for an acrimonious ending until Wys tore her ACL in Australia and Labbe resumed the role as starter.
Wys is back from her ACL rehab but has only backed up. DiDi Haracic is the Spirit’s other keeper.
Denmark players may boycott qualifier
The high of Denmark’s run to the final match of the European Championship has quickly worn off as the players are on the verge of boycotting the opening round of World Cup qualifying next week. The players are in a pay dispute with the federation and say they will not report for camp when the FIFA window opens on Monday.
In an article posted in Danish on Sport TV2, Sanne Troelsgaard said: “Without a deal we won’t show up for camp on Monday or play the game.”
The Danes are scheduled to open qualifying September 19 in Hungary.They are favored, along with Sweden to come out of Group 4 as the automatic qualifier to be at France 2019. Some group runners-up will be drawn into a playoff for one final UEFA spot in France.
England, Germany, France announce rosters
The FA has been closely guarding who can–and cannot–question embattled England coach Mark Sampson
England and Germany have named squads that will compete in World Cup qualifying openers next week. Engand are in Group 1 where they are massive favorites to qualify. They’ll host their toughest opponent first, Russia on September 19. If there is anything to take down the team it could be the off field turbulence surrounding head coach Mark Sampson who has been under fire in the wake of explosive accusations by former player Eniola Aluko. And the English FA has been closely monitoring media access to Sampson.
Germany are also overwhelming favorites to qualify. They’ll play twice in the window—September 16 home to Slovenia and September 19 away to Czech Republic.
France is already qualified as hosts but have friendlies scheduled at home against Colombia (September 15) and Spain (September 18). The matches will be the first for Corinne Diacre since assuming head coaching duties from the ousted Olivier Eschouafni.
The England roster is:
Goalkeepers (3)
Siobhan Chamberlain, Mary Earps, Carly Telford
Defenders(9)
: Laura Bassett, Gemma Bonner, Millie Bright, Lucie Bronze, Jessica Carter, Alex Greenwood, Steph Haughton, Demi Stokes, Casey Stoney
Midfielders (6)
: Isobel Christiansen, Jade Moore, Jordan Nobbs, Jo Potter, Jill Scott, Fara Williams
Forwards (8)
: Karen Carney, Danielle Carter, Toni Duggan, Fran Kirby, Melissa Lawley, Nikita Parris, Jodie Taylor. Ellen White
The Germany roster is:
Goalkeepers (3)
Almuth Schult, Laura Benkarth, Carina Schluter
Defenders(8)
:Johanna Elsig, Kathrin Hendrich, Leonie Meier, Babett Peter, Carolin Simon, Anna Blasse, Felicitas Rauch, Joelle Wedemeyer
Midfielders (8)
: Kristin Demann, Simone Laudehr, Dzsenifer Marozsan, Sara Dabritz, Sara Doorsoun, Linda Dallmann, Lina Magull, Tabea Kemme
Forwards (4)
: Mandy Islacker, Lea Schuller, Svenja Huth, Hasret Kayicki
The France roster is:
Goalkeepers (3)
: Sarah Bouhaddi, Solene Durand, Meline Gerard
Defenders (8)
: Hawa Cissoko, Laura Georges, Thea Greboval, Sakina Karchaoui, Charlotte Lorgere, Griedge Mbcock Bathy Nka, Wendie Renard, Marion Torrent
Midfielders (6)
: Elise Bussaglia, Camille Catala, Onema Grace Geyoro, Amandine Henry, Ines Jaurena, Sandie Toletti
Forwards (6)
: Viviane Asseyi, Kadidiatou, Diani, Valerie Gauvin, Eugenie Le Sommer, Perle Morroni, Ouleymata Sarr
Chelsea sign Maria Thorisdottir
Maria Thorisdottir has joined Chelsea ahead of the FAWSL campaign. (photo: Chelsey Football Club)
Chelsea have added Maria Thorisdottir ahead of the start of their FAWSL campaign following the FIFA break. Thorisdottir was on Norway’s side that crashed out early from the European Championships and played her club soccer at Klepp.
“I am maybe like a Viking,” she said in a story posted on Chelsea’s official site. “I like to go hard into duels, win the ball in the air and try to play my team-mates in well.”
Chelsea are fresh off winning the summer mini-league that was used as a bridge to return Englan’s domestic league to a fall-to-spring schedule. Emma Hayes’s club most recently won the regular league title in 2015.
