January 30, 2012
WPS has chosen to not have a 2012 season. The WNY Flash are planning on fielding a professional team in the highest league in the US.
This news comes one day after the USWNT finishes an unbeaten, unscored upon CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament where WNY Flash F Alex Morgan starred in the final match with two goals and two assists in a 4-0 win over Canada.
Oh yeah, Abby Wambach scored twice, as well. That gives her 131 goals in her international career placing her in second place all-time behind Mia Hamm. And that's not just second all-time in USWNT history, that's second all-time in FIFA history.
Rochester Lancers Update
This weekend saw two predictable results for the Lancers.
On Saturday evening, they fell in Baltimore to the Blast by a score of 8-7. This was an instance of the game being as close as the score indicated as Baltimore's largest lead of the game was 4 points and the Lancers pulled to within a point on Chile Farias' 3-point goal with 5:09 left in the game. The Lancers also had two glorious chances stopped by Blast GK Sagu in the last 90 seconds with Patrick Hannigan pulled in favor of the 6th attacker.
On Sunday afternoon, the Lancers defeated the Norfolk SharX 17-8.
Coupled with Syracuse's loss in Milwaukee yesterday, the Lancers have a two game lead over the Silver Knights with six games to play. This is important as they are battling for the final playoff spot in the MISL's Eastern Division.
The February 12th game at the Blue Cross Arena between the Lancers and Silver Knights will go a long way towards deciding which team makes the playoffs. As will the four games that the Lancers have remaining against the Wichita Wings.
News & Notes:
- Abby Wambach tied Mia Hamm with her 5th US Soccer Female Athlete of the Year Award.
- Here is a Q&A with USWNT & WNY Flash F Alex Morgan. [Note: this came out before the WPS news]
- Rhinos GK Neal Kitson is off to England's 4th Division.
- Two Americans were better than one in the Everton v Fulham FA Cup match on Friday.
- MLS Soccer.com talks about what Klinsmann really brings to the USMNT.
- NY Red Bulls D Tim Ream is off to Bolton Wanderers of the EPL.
- KCKRS really like the Orlando City kits for 2012.
- Portland's new DP should be a hit with Rangers fans.
- Gary Smith has a new gig with Stevenage FC of League One. I wonder if Steve Guppy will be his right hand man there?
- Has Martin Rennie taken half of the RailHawks roster to Vancouver or does it just seem that way?
- So much for the Beckham to PSG watch, huh.....
The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and not necessarily those of the Rochester Rhinos or SoccerSam.com. Feel free to send any comments or complaints to jamesrweise@gmail.com. James promises to read (but not to respond) to all of them.
