WPS All-Star Game Discussion - UPDATED 8/20/09

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Permalink Reply by Shannon Nicole;; on June 25, 2009 at 12:48pm

I heard the All-Star team will be facing Umea...

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Permalink Reply by Milan on June 25, 2009 at 3:14pm

Although I was hoping for Toyota Park in Chicago for the All-Star game, St. Louis would be my next choice since it's only 4-5 hours drive from me.
I hope they make this a full weekend event. I went to the WUSA All-Star game in Cary, NC and had a blast. They had a skills competition for the players the day before the game, kind of like the home run derby during the MLB All-Star event or dunking contest with NBA players. Both days were packed with fans. I think that would add to the fun. Make it a fun All-Star weekend, culminating with the All-Star game.
As far as who they should play. From what I heard it may be Umea. However, if Umea doesn't have all their players due to Euro competition, then I would say let's schedule the Mexican National Team. They have had a good squad over the last few years and maybe we can get some Mexican fans to come out and see the WPS in action. That would be more logical to me then playing a European team that may not have all it's players.

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Permalink Reply by Ron Kessler on June 25, 2009 at 5:09pm

While the effort is appreciated, WPS should have just waited until next year for this. Half of the WPS all-star starting lineup will be missing at Euro '09 while any worthwhile team we can bring over from Europe (Umea, Frankfurt, Arsenal) will have all of their best players in Finland as well. Tough to call it an all-star game when both sides are fielding reserves. A game against Umea would have been great in July. Milan's Mexico suggestion isn't that bad (assuming they've been training at all and can provide good competition)

And the format is not unique here - Major League Soccer has been using this all-star format for years.

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Permalink Reply by Milan on June 25, 2009 at 6:42pm

Or, split up the squads into East and West. Have the best players from FC Gold Pride, LA Sol, and Athletica vs. best players from Red Stars, Breakers, Sky Blue FC, and Freedom. That way we get to see more WPS players on the field.
Have Abner coach the west and Tony D. coach the east and which ever coach loses gets his head shaved in center circle right after the game.

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Permalink Reply by Supermokh on June 25, 2009 at 7:14pm

I think Milan have a good IDEA.
I agree with that Idea.

Milan said:

Or, split up the squads into East and West. Have the best players from FC Gold Pride, LA Sol, and Athletica vs. best players from Red Stars, Breakers, Sky Blue FC, and Freedom. That way we get to see more WPS players on the field.
Have Abner coach the west and Tony D. coach the east and which ever coach loses gets his head shaved in center circle right after the game.

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Permalink Reply by Simon Allen-World Soccer Wrap on June 25, 2009 at 11:54pm

Okay... not knowing which team it is....I will be hoping it is either The Arsenal Ladies, Umea IK, The German womens League Best XI, The Womens Premier League Best XI, North Korea or WPS USA vs WPS Internationals...

Cant wait for the match whatever it is.....St Louis...youre a lucky town!!!

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Permalink Reply by Emily on June 26, 2009 at 11:20am

This is what the NBA does for their All-star game, along with other skills competitions. Maybe WPS should do something along those lines.

Milan said:

Or, split up the squads into East and West. Have the best players from FC Gold Pride, LA Sol, and Athletica vs. best players from Red Stars, Breakers, Sky Blue FC, and Freedom. That way we get to see more WPS players on the field.
Have Abner coach the west and Tony D. coach the east and which ever coach loses gets his head shaved in center circle right after the game.

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Permalink Reply by Espihir on June 26, 2009 at 1:59pm

I third that east v west idea. I know there will be players left on the bench that I want to see in the action, and this would allow that. We also wouldn't have to worry about a team playing together for 3-5 day's (WPS) versus a team playing together for years (UMEA, MWNT, etc.).

Milan said:

Or, split up the squads into East and West. Have the best players from FC Gold Pride, LA Sol, and Athletica vs. best players from Red Stars, Breakers, Sky Blue FC, and Freedom. That way we get to see more WPS players on the field.
Have Abner coach the west and Tony D. coach the east and which ever coach loses gets his head shaved in center circle right after the game.

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Permalink Reply by Austin H on June 28, 2009 at 6:37am

East v. West is a great idea, but I doubt they'll want to change the overall format - WPS All-Stars v. someone else. I read that Umea declined. Which I would expect from any European team, club or national. How abaout getting some WNT from Asia? Or Mexico?

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Permalink Reply by Hannah on June 29, 2009 at 6:34am

Here is an answer to the questions:
I think that would be a very good idea!! They would probably get more out of it.
I don't know who they should face.
I have a few people that should be on the team: Shannon Boxx, Abby Wambach, Kristine Lily, Sissi, Marta, Hope Solo, Camille Abily, Cristiane, Han Duan, Heather Garriok, and more.
No I do not believe that I will be attending!

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Permalink Reply by chevy on June 29, 2009 at 1:14pm

Since most of the European club teams will be depleted by the Euros occuring at the same time I think they should get either the best club team in Asia or get a WNT from Asia. Japan, Korea, or China would be a fair matchup. The All-Star side unfortunately will not include the European players which would make up a good part of the team.

As of now here is the 21 player roster I would put out there.

Goalies: LeBlanc, Solo, McLeod
Defenders: Buehler, Bock, Ellerton, Whitehill, McNeil, LePeilbet
Midfielders: Miyama, Boxx, Schnur, Klein, Chalupny, Lilly
Forwards: Marta, DeVanna, Sinclair, Kia, Wambach, Duan

My 21 including the Europeans:

Goalies: LeBlanc, Solo, McLeod
Defenders: Buehler, Asante, Ellerton, Whitehill, Scott, LePeilbet
Midfielders: Miyama, Boxx, Bompastor, Klein, Chalupny, Smith
Forwards: Marta, DeVanna, Sinclair, Abily, Wambach, Aluko

Note: If I didn't have to pick at least one player from each team Klein would not be on there.

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Permalink Reply by Scott W. Fraser on June 29, 2009 at 5:11pm

I think that the all-star should play against be either United States ladies national soccer team or mens national team qualify for the 2010 FIFA world cup .

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