Washington Freedom Gear Up for Second Women's Professional Soccer Season

The Washington Freedom finished in third place in the seven-team Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league in 2009. Along the way, they thrilled their fans by scoring more goals than any other team in WPS-with Abby Wambach trailing only Brazilian-sensation Marta for the league's scoring lead. However, the Washington Freedom faltered defensively by also giving up more goals than any other WPS team. As the Washington Freedom gear up for their second WPS season in 2010, they maintain a solid core of stars supplemented by several key additions. As a Washington Freedom season ticket holder who previously shared highlights of the 2009 season, I am excited for the Washington Freedom to kick off the second WPS season on April 10, 2010.

Key Washington Freedom Holdovers from 2009:

More than perhaps any other WPS team, the Washington Freedom will keep a consistent core in 2010 from their first season's stars. U.S. national team stars forward Abby Wambach and defender Cat Whitehill, French sensation midfielder Sonia Bompastor, Japanese veteran midfielder Homare Sawa, and Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod are all returning to the Washington Freedom in 2010. While this consistency can help bolster team chemistry, several of these stars finished the 2009 season stronger than they began it, raising hopes for a stronger 2010 performance. For example, Abby Wambach started the 2009 season recovering from a severely broken leg and did not show her goal-scoring capacity fully until the last two months of the season; Homare Sawa played in a defensive midfielder position rather than her more natural playmaking midfield role; and Erin McLeod joined the team after about one-third of the season was completed due to delays in obtaining a work visa as she also recovered from injury. It may be hard for Sonia Bompastor to match her MVP season in 2009, but her speed, aggressiveness, and creative play will again bolster the Washington Freedom's attack. Further, other key starters gained important international experience as defender Becky Sauerbrunn played in Norway with new Washington Freedom signee Lene Mykjåland; midfielders Rebecca Moros and JoAnne Lohman trained in Japan with Homare Sawa; and defender Alex Singer played in Australia with Freedom forward Lisa de Vanna.

Key Washington Freedom Losses from 2009:

While most of the Washington Freedom's core players return in 2010, there were several losses. Midfielder Lori Lindsey, who was a veteran not only of the 2009 WPS Washington Freedom but earlier Freedom teams in the W-League, was one of the top picks by the new Philadelphia Independence in the WPS expansion draft. The expansion draft also saw rookie defender Sarah Senty go to Philadelphia. Freedom fans were also disappointed to hear that midfielder Ali Krieger renewed her contract with Frankfurt in the German women's soccer league. While Krieger may still be an option to play late in the season on loan to the Washington Freedom, she is unlikely to become a full-time player for the Freedom with her new German contract. Finally, other favorite Washington Freedom players will be missed, including veteran Emily Janss, who retired, and goalkeeper K.J. Spisak, who was released and hopefully can rejoin the Washington Freedom or another WPS team as a free agent.

Key Washington Freedom Gains from 2009:

The Washington Freedom will bolster their 2010 lineup with several key additions. The Washington Freedom signed Norwegian Lene Mykjåland, a 23-year-old forward who will add depth to the Freedom attack alongside Abby Wambach and perhaps afford Lisa de Vanna the opportunity to be a super substitute. This super substitute role, bringing additional speed and intensity late in games, is her typical role for the Australian national team. The Washington Freedom's top pick in the 2010 college draft was Nikki Marshall from the University of Colorado, a versatile player with experience both as a forward and defender. Marshall will hopefully solidify the Washington Freedom's defensive line while providing speed to also contribute to attacking plays. Finally, with the unfortunate news that the Los Angeles Sol would not return for a second WPS season in 2010, the Washington Freedom picked defender Brittany Bock from the Sol dispersal draft.

2010 will see the Washington Freedom again fielding a team that should compete for the WPS playoffs by finishing in the top half of the eight teams that WPS will field in 2010. While 2009 league leaders Los Angeles Sol have folded and dispersed their players across the league, two new teams, the Philadelphia Independence and Atlanta Beat, will join the WPS. The Washington Freedom have a solid core of returning players from their successful first season in 2009, and the additional experience of many key players along with a few important additions will hopefully serve them well in 2010.

Sources:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2093295/highlights_of_washington_freedoms_first.html?cat=14

http://www.womensprosoccer.com/dc

http://www.womensprosoccer.com/