Topic: Womens Soccer

[svherd]

Saw where the new womens coach has signed 5-6 international gals to play for the Herd. Big talent upgrade. Taking a page from the Grassie book. Good luck to them.

[gochneaur645]

They'll be unrecognizably better than just about any other women's soccer team Marshall has ever had. Should immediately contend for the SBC title after not even qualifying for the conference tourney last season.

But breaking into the upper echelon nationally will be much tougher than it was for the men. All of the power conference schools have women's soccer unlike the SEC and Big 12 for men's. And the international strategy probably won't work quite as well since the US is such a powerhouse on the women's side.

[svherd]

They'll be unrecognizably better than just about any other women's soccer team Marshall has ever had. Should immediately contend for the SBC title after not even qualifying for the conference tourney last season.

But breaking into the upper echelon nationally will be much tougher than it was for the men. All of the power conference schools have women's soccer unlike the SEC and Big 12 for men's. And the international strategy probably won't work quite as well since the US is such a powerhouse on the women's side.

Agreed. I just want to contend for an SB title. If we get into the NCAA's at some point, thats gravy.

[Daherdboy]

I did a quick count and the new coach has signed 11 new players...10 of them are foreign, and they look like really good recruits.

Last week I renewed my season Men's Soccer Tickets and ordered Women's Season tickets as well.
The Women's ticket prices are a steal so Herd Fans can jump on board the train and watch this team take off.

[chris88]

A lot of them transferred from schools here in US. One was a 25 goal scorer from JUCO Natl Champs who I believe played at one of the schools Semmle came from.

[carolinaherdfan]

We need to get on board here.
I think we are locked and loaded! ⚽️ ladies

[Daherdboy]

I did a little research about Women's Soccer Team numbers.  It said most teams have 28 players on their roster.  Marshall's roster minus the graduating players is 10.  The new coach has signed 11 players.

OK, 10 + 11 = 21.   

Does that mean recruiting is not done? 
Could be that 7 more players could be recruited.

I enjoy watching the Women's Soccer twitter page for updates on new signings.  😁

[MicDrass1]

HC follows Grassie recruiting formula he will win

[elginherd]

HC follows Grassie recruiting formula he will win

Not exactly.
In women's soccer, the United States is where the most talent and skill resides.

[svherd]

Just picked up a family 4 pack season tix for $100. Not a bad deal at all.

[parshall2marshall]

A lot of them transferred from schools here in US. One was a 25 goal scorer from JUCO Natl Champs who I believe played at one of the schools Semmle came from.

25 goals ? I can't even count that high.

[MUther]

Not exactly.
In women's soccer, the United States is where the most talent and skill resides.

That's because we allow them to play here, unlike other countries where women are actually oppressed.  Not that anyone would know by the attitudes towards America of some of the more prominent women's players.

[chris88]

25 goals ? I can't even count that high.

I was wrong. Nicole Navarro Aguilar scored 19 goals and had 6 assists for Iowa Western.  This is where Morris Duggan played not Semmle. She hails from Spain.  In her FR year she had 10 goals and 7 assists.

[Daherdboy]

Add another signing, that makes 12.

Maria Chaves-Midfielder-from Portugal.

From my count....6 to go.

[MicDrass1]

Heavy international seems
Grassie style!!

[chris88]

Add another signing, that makes 12.

Maria Chavez-Midfielder-from Portugal.

From my count....6 to go.

It's Chaves. Her tape looks pretty good for ball skills. There was another announced signing from Germany...Lea xxxx (can't remember last name)

[Daherdboy]

Lea Misch-Germany

[goherd73]

https://x.com/HerdWSoccer/status/1799116757564850661


https://x.com/HerdWSoccer/status/1798061331284902388

[MUther]

Hopefully these girls play angry with a chip on their shoulders.  They have a chance to prove that it's opportunity over ability.  They can show they have just as much talent when given a chance to play at a higher level.

[Daherdboy]

In the US, the talent pool of female soccer players is only so deep and with over a hundred college schools going after the quality players, mid-major teams are lucky to get 3rd or 4th pick of them if that.

Now, the pool of quality foreign players is not as deep but the talent level is increasing with them.
Having a soccer coach of Rafa's background and talent of recruiting under Coach Grassie, he's a good judge of talent and can recruit foreign players already here in the US as well as going overseas to reel in the ones missed in those locations.

[chris88]

In the US, the talent pool of female soccer players is only so deep and with over a hundred college schools going after the quality players, mid-major teams are lucky to get 3rd or 4th pick of them if that.

Now, the pool of quality foreign players is not as deep but the talent level is increasing with them.
Having a soccer coach of Rafa's background and talent of recruiting under Coach Grassie, he's a good judge of talent and can recruit foreign players already here in the US as well as going overseas to reel in the ones missed in those locations.

There are over 330 women's soccer schools in D1 alone...plus D2, D3, JUCO etc.  The USA has the best women's soccer because they have the best women's soccer development setup...for now.  At the HS level in US, however, you are starting to see lacrosse gaining lots of momentum. Those other countries will always have a built in advantage in that soccer is the #1 sport in most countries across the world.  Once they get more youth playing women's soccer, better facilities etc than they will likely surpass US in that way.  On men's side in US the development academies pluck most of the creme of crop players and they don't go the college route...that's even more true internationally. We are capable of having the same niche in women's soccer as in men's...not quite top level players in other countries but as good or better than the talent pool we are able to draw from in US.  That's my understanding but I reserve the right to be wrong. We'll see how it works out.

Side note: Adam Aoumache scored his first pro goal for Union Omaha last Wednesday. Same team as Pedro Dollabella. Semmle has been starter for MLS Philly Union last few games as their top goalie is out for injury/intl duty. They are struggling to win games however. Semmle had 3 straight shutouts recently but Philly only got one win and two ties. They tied 2-2 in latest match.

[MUther]

Once they get more youth playing women's soccer, better facilities etc than they will likely surpass US in that way. 

That's what I was trying to allude to.  Many of the foreign soccer countries haven't embraced and invested in women's soccer development like the US has, while the men's development is big business.  Need some stars to emerge to give them heroes on the women's side, like what Kaitlyn Clark has done for the WNBA in a very short time.  People that never gave a darn about the WNBA are now watching it.  We could be a part of that happening if some of these girls do well and their country takes pride in them.

[Daherdboy]

Rafa has signed another recruit.

Carolina Falcao-Midfielder from Portugal.

That makes 13 signings with 5 to go to hit the 28 for a total team number.

[goherd73]

Rafa has signed another recruit.

Carolina Falcao-Midfielder from Portugal.

https://x.com/HerdWSoccer/status/1800555095664504832

[gochneaur645]

That's what I was trying to allude to.  Many of the foreign soccer countries haven't embraced and invested in women's soccer development like the US has, while the men's development is big business.  Need some stars to emerge to give them heroes on the women's side, like what Kaitlyn Clark has done for the WNBA in a very short time.  People that never gave a darn about the WNBA are now watching it.  We could be a part of that happening if some of these girls do well and their country takes pride in them.

This was true probably 10 years ago, but most of the traditional men's soccer powerhouses have caught up with the US on the women's side in player development. An ESPN article from December listed only 4 US women in the world's top 50 players while England and Spain had closer to 10. All of the top European pro teams have women's teams now, and the best young women from those countries will get funneled to those academies instead of going to school anywhere.