I’ve got Olympics on my mind

By: Melissa | July 22nd, 2008

I spent a considerable amount of time today writing out my thoughts on the political aspects of the upcoming Games as well as the history of protests among Olympic athletes. Unfortunately, I did this in lieu of the stuff that actually pays me but, uh, expect to see those ramblings sometime soon. In the meantime, an article over at NBCOlympics.com says the Games may be the last opportunity for many international players to “try out” in front of WPS officials. Tonya Antonucci says each WPS club will have representatives - and usually the club’s head coach - at the Olympics in scouting roles. Also, former Vice President of the WUSA, ~~Lisa~~ Lauren Gregg, working as a WPS consultant, put together a list of 60 top internationals she feels are good WPS prospects. And the NBC article notes, depending on the outcome of the Olympics, players not on Gregg’s list may wind up in demand by coaches. So yeah, it’s all just one big crap shoot. But why should international players want to join the upcoming league? Antonucci has made it clear, salaries across the board will remain modest and below the $40,000 average paid out by the WUSA. But as Red Stars Head Coach, Emma Hayes, puts it: “Considering there is no single professional league, other than WPS, the best players, the majority of players, will want to consider being part of this league.”

China View has a short preview of the women’s soccer tournament. The favorites haven’t really wavered since last year’s World Cup: Brazil, Germany, and the USA are likely candidates for the gold. Germany, Brazil, North Korea and Nigeria are in Group F, which according to the article, is the toughest group and could be considered the dreaded “group of death” for the women’s side. The US, on the other hand, are in are in Group G against Japan, Norway and New Zealand and should hopefully not have a problem making it to the quarterfinals. China is in Group E against Sweden, Argentina and Canada. As Laurie pointed out in her Olympic Soccer Schedule post at World Cup Blog, the womens teams begin play two days before the Games officially begin. The final is set for August 21st.

(EDIT: Apologies to Lauren Gregg. I have a tendency to confuse letters and words without knowing.)

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