This notion of a “feeder” or “reserves team”
By: Melissa | October 8th, 2008It will certainly be interesting to see what happens to the W-League & WPSL when WPS starts it’s season. It’s pretty obvious – post draft – that both the Washington Freedom and the Pali Blues lost a chunk of their roster. And I’ve no clue if the Freedom will continue to field a W-League team (perhaps Billy can get to the bottom of this question), but I do know that the Pali Blues will be back with the same coach they had last year. Yes, the same coach who is now the General Manager of the LA WPS team. The same LA WPS team that is also co-owned by Ruidi Bianchi, who owns the Pali Blues. Now that is some crazy synergy for sure but I can’t hate on it because it’s smart. Just as the Chicago Red Stars formed an affiliation with FC Indiana and the FC Indiana owners also co-own the Chicago Red Stars AND the Red Stars recently placed a discovery claim on FC Indiana player Laura Del Rio… But now, Nick Green’s extra notes from his recent article on the LA WPS team, contains this quote:
L.A. WPS GM Charlie Naimo will remain coach of Pacific Palisades-based W-League team Pali Blues, which becomes a feeder or reserve team to the WPS team.
Although, I’m not sure if any rules on reserve squads or “feeder teams” for WPS exist yet. I’m sure, because almost all W-League (and I believe all WPSL) teams are strictly amateur, it is entirely possible such a scenario can exist. But at the same time, it took MLS how many years now to sign it’s first youth academy player? Ok, it is likely the WPS will not follow the MLS model exactly, but I’m just asking the question. To WPS clubs with W-League teams and to WPS clubs with local affiliations, what is the connection? Can players move up or down? Are we just sticking to the traditional draft process? Or are we going to establish regional amateur and professional teams where players can progress in the local system? Don’t keep us in the dark about this. Inquiring minds want to know!
Category: 
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share
      |
Comments
-
Yes, Washington will continue to field a W-League team.
Posted from
United States
-
You are wise, LASoccer… with such a ubiquitous name too boot.
Posted from
United States -
The Freedom have an entire soccer club similar to ones you see in Europe where we have teams for all sorts of age groups and Jim Gabarra is hoping to use the system as a way to develop players for WPS. And LA Soccer is correct, they will continue to field a W-League team.
Posted from
United States
Comments are closed
Home 
