This is of course not news as they did their camp in Portugal in preperation for these games. First up in 2019, World Cup host, France Jan. 19 at 2:20 p.m. ET on FS1 & UDN, followed up by Spain Jan. 22 @ 2:30 p.m. ET. Locally they will meet up at Talen Energy Stadium, PA Feb. 27 with Japan at 7 p.m. ET and the last game is here at RBA May 26 facing Mexico @ noon.
Paul Riley is now tied to the North Carolina Courage for the next few years. This was a banner year as they achived 3 major things, the first Women's International Champions Cup, a 2nd in a row NWSL Shield and of coures the NWSL Title. Also tied down by the club is Bobby Hammond as VP of Operations and now also wears the hat of Asst. GM, club policy does not allow for more details or terms of these transactions. Pres.
Volkswagen of America is now in a landmark intergrated partnership as announced today at the Detroit Auto Show, a big step with the largest auto maker in Europe. The four year deal will be very broad reaching as they assist USSF in growing soccer into becoming the preeminent sport in the US, by increased participation, creating world class players, coaches and referees while raising the level of fan engagement for the game. This union was put to gether by SUM and present at the show were Dan Flynn CEO & Secretary General of US Soccer together with VW Group America CEO Scott Keogh.
This camp, to be held in Portugal. is in advace of the first two games of the year, France, Jan. 19 @ 2:30 p.m. ET on FS 1 & Spain Jan. 22 @ 2:30 ET on ESPN 2 & UDN. The local players named are, the newly married Long Islander Crystal Dunne, former Sky Blue standout Kelly O'Hara and Carli Lloyd now with Sky Blue.
The experienced midfielder with a great fan following has returned for 2019, his 9th with the team, quite the legacy he is building there. His 162 games rank right up there near the top, 12,422 minutes with 21 goals and 21 assists he is from NC and will be pivital for success this year. HC Dave Sarachan stated, " I was really pleased that Austin is going to be apart of my first year here and hopefully for many years to come".
We have brought you much information from this team adding and securing many players for the coming season(s), now news that HC Veljko Paunovic has been locked down for 2 years and another option year. Fire Pres. & GM Nelson Rodriguez stated, "We believe the foundation we are setting and the standards we are demanding are the right ones". Thus far, he is 31-46-25 including the 3rd best record in the league for 2017 at 16-11-7 and their first trip to the post season since 2012. 2017 also had him selected HC of the MLS All-Star Team, with 4 of his players taking on Real Madrid.
Forward, Alex Morgan was tapped for the best female player on the strength of an amazing 18 goals in 19 games as 20 year old Tierna Davidson a defender now with nine starts in her nine games got the nod as the top young female player. This is the 2nd time Alex has received this award, the first being 2012 with 28 goals and Olympic gold. Tierna may only win her designation once.
Incoming for the 2019 is a new coaching staff joining recently appointed head coach Marc Dos Santos. We have known him for a few years of his NASL time and he brings in a quality staff, some he is rather familiar with from his time in that league. Asst. coaches Vanni Sartini joins his brother Phillip Dos Santos and goalkeeper coach Youssef Dahna, each are now on multi year contracts. All told nearly half a century of experience has arrived in Canada between their playing coach and soccer educational histories.
As mentioned before the Kicking & Screen Soccr Film Festival is branching out. Over the next 6 months as they head into their next Festival, June 4-7 in NYC they will have new releases from K & S Media Group.
Jan: The American Monarchs
Feb: Soka Afrika
Mar: American Futbol
Apr: Messi & Me
June: For Better or Worse
Later this month, Jan. 12 during the USC Soccer Convention, they will have a screening of Messi & Me in host city Chicago. May-July of this year there will be a Women's Soccer Art Exhibit in NYC.
Not much of a surprise in either selection with Bastian Schweinsteiger taking the MVP but his Defensive Player of the year was not a given by any means. The Golden Boot of course is for most goals so that was a given with Nemanja Nikolic getting it for 2 years running and now is one of just 4 players in club history with more than a single season with goals totalling double digits.
