I’m currently reading Totally Wired: Postpunk Interviews and Overviews by Simon Reynolds and in the interview with Jah Wobble, Wobble mentions that he is a huge soccer fan.
I can be a complete arsehole. But if I could somehow be not me and could go back in time and meet PiL, I probably would like me best out of all of them. But in a way, that was PiL – they didn’t care about being liked. It was very wilful, warped and immature. I’m a big football fan, and it’s the same with footballers – you don’t want to meet them. All they want to talk about is how big their mercedes is. But on the pitch they might have this moment of genius that transcends who they are.
This resonates with me. I live for that little second of genius that transcends. Some little movement or feint or kick of the ball. Some little run without the ball, something that they do almost on instinct that is beautiful to watch. It’s like artistry. It is artistry I suppose and I always want the athlete to be a nerdy artsy type as well as the athlete. Not just some douchebag spoiled rich kid. There are a few that I’ve come across. But they seem to be few and far between, especially at the high level professional hundreds of thousands of dollars a week level.
If you don’t know who Jah Wobble is, that’s cool, listen to this cuz that’s him on bass.
Or this one
Or this one
Or this one
Really, just go get the album, Metal Box which is also known as Second Edition. Just do it, cuz it’s transcendent. Like that little moment of genius that transcends who they are. The first record is pretty good too.
i don’t care much for national teams. but i do care when players from teams i support play – especially when they commit acts of ruleage! way to be julie johnston and christen press.
for what it’s worth – i do generally wish for good results for the uswnt. particularly this summer when a good result at the world cup could go a long ways in helping boost the popularity of the nwsl teams. so, do it. that said, i generally wish for good results for every women’s national team on the planet.
This is quick and dirty cuz I was swamped with real life today, but I wanted to get something out there about our draftees. I will have more thoughtful thoughts later on next week prolly. But in the meantime here’s a roundup of info and links about our new players in order of appearance.
Arin Gilliland
all white kit sez –
5 – CHI – Arin Gilliland – D – Kentucky
Lord only knows what Chicago does with this pick or even if they keep it. In all honesty, the Red Stars need a right-back more than a left-back if Rachel Quon isn’t here for the WWC, but I’m assuming they move Taryn Hemmings in the middle when Julie Johnston and Abby Erceg are away. There aren’t any elite right-backs in this class either, meaning Chicago may look to fill the left-back spot first. Gilliland probably isn’t letting go of a starting spot once she gets hold of one, and the Kentucky talisman should help stretch play and open up the offense, which was pretty stale at times last season. I wouldn’t be shocked if Chicago plumped for Kristin Grubka here too. They need some center-back cover, and the drop from her to the next option is big.
equalizer sez –
Moving to outside back, the first two off the board look to be Arin Gilliland and Jaelene Hinkle. Last season, the fast and athletic Gilliland moved from left back to forward when the Wildcats were struggling offensively and moved back to defense when the team had the opposite problem. In both positions, she delivered exactly what the team needed.
Versatility helps everyone make a mark after the first handful of elite prospects, and Colaprico’s ability to play multiple roles is probably going to see her stick for a long time on rosters in her pro career. She literally played all four midfield positions with Virginia in a 4-4-2 diamond this season and can play higher on the wing in a 4-3-3 as well. That’s the role I see her in at this level, and her service from out wide could provide the club with a different dimension in the offense if they take Williams or another speedster as well.
equalizer sez –
Danielle Colaprico certainly saved the best for last. The Virginia player saw time at all four positions in the midfield and showed that she can excel no matter where she lines up. Despite her small stature she’s shown she can more than hold her own against much taller players.
I think the Huerta hype is overblown, but there aren’t many great forwards in this class, while teams usually trip over themselves to reach for offense. The Red Stars are pretty much down to Jen Hoy and Hayley Brock come WWC time, with both players more vertical threats. Huerta offers up the ability to run the channels and stretch play with her pace and athleticism, which could be a godsend for a side that may struggle for consistency in the midfield. It also isn’t out of the question that the Red Stars might reach for her at #5.
equalizer sez –
The big surprise of this year’s crop of forwards came last month when it was announced that Sofia Huerta would forego a future with the Mexican National team and attempt to earn a spot with the U.S. national team in the future. The speedster, who slices and dices defenders will be one of the first forwards of the board.
They need defenders, but there aren’t many great options at this point in the draft. They also need some forwards for when the club gets gutted come WWC time, and Walls is probably the best left on the board at this point. Her metric numbers are a little wonky, but when she’s on, Walls can fill it up.
20. Nicole Setterlund – MF (DMC), D (CB) – Washington State
The metronome. Shows that you don’t necessarily need a sledgehammer to get the job done if you’ve got a pair of scalpels that can do the business. Powerful in the air, with a bit of a touch in front of goal, and with a solid passing range, Setterlund looks like an underrated gem. Setterlund played some at center-back this season, and it’ll be interesting to see if a suitor tries her out there. She looks more libero than towering inferno, but some clubs might prefer that. Hopefully, a club is wise enough to use an international slot for her.
Mid-major scoring machine. Tejada burst onto the scene as a freshman, started scoring, and didn’t stop for four trophy-laden seasons as Illinois State advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament on two occasions. Metrics reveal that Tejada grades out pretty well in terms of efficiency, keeping her shots per goal under six and hitting the target nearly fifty-eight percent of the time. The lack of goals against top opposition is a worry, but for mid-majors, that’s always going to be a tough ask. Probably needs some seasoning, but could be worth a punt late in this draft.
from the fine people who brought you a brief interview with vanessa dibernardo, comes a brief interview with jen hoy! (who has been called the beyoncé of soccer by some)
2. You attended college at Princeton, so you clearly had a difficult academic schedule. What were some things that you learned about balancing the demand of your academic and soccer requirements?
Jen: The combination was overwhelming at times, but I wouldn’t have traded it for anything. Over time I learned that (1) you shouldn’t take life too seriously but live in the moment and enjoy everything that life throws at you, (2) take advantage of all the resources available to you and (3) always embrace new opportunities to grow and meet new people.
It’s easy to lose perspective with such a demanding schedule, but a healthy balance is definitely possible and it was much easier to find and maintain that balance when I kept these things in mind.
holy shit. it may be an unpopular opinion, but i do love marta. so check out her hat trick against the us. also – christen press made a second half appearance and created a good chance for herself. but my favorite part of it was her dummy look to the right. like, i’m looking hard to make a pass, but not really, surprise, i’m not even gonna look at the goal to take this shot. yes! also also, lori chalupny played for thirty minutes in the first half. hooray for her!
nothing revelatory or anything. but something, something to chew on until our silly season gets going.
also, there was that whole bit about lori chalupny getting called up to the national team again. rejoice.
i will admit i don’t give much of a shit about national teams myself. club way way way way way before country. but i understand it as the dream of many players, so i’m way happy for lori to get a shot again after being screwed by ussf for years.
July 31, 2014
Chicago, IL – The Chicago Red Stars announced today the team has waived midfielder Julianne Sitch.
During the 2014 season, the 30-year-old Sitch had nine starts and 11 appearances for the Red Stars. Her most recent start was against Seattle Reign FC on July 20. She logged a total of 762 minutes on the field this season.
Sitch first joined the Red Stars in 2010 during Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS). In 2012 she competed with the team in WPSL-Elite, helping guide them to a runner-up finish. During 2013, she continued with the Red Stars into the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). In the past two seasons, Sitch appeared in 31 matches, made 27 starts, and registered 2,339 minutes for the Red Stars.
In her four years at DePaul University from 2002-2005, Sitch became the program’s all-time leading scorer with 90 points on 32 goals and 26 assists. She set the program record for single-season scoring with 21 points on eight goals and five assist her freshman year. Sitch received All-Big East First Team honors her senior season and still holds career records in goals, assists and points.
yesterday, and very quietly, the red stars waived julianne sitch. no reason was given. no thanks given. it reminds me of when jessica mcdonald went away last year. just a statement of facts and then she’s gone. well. i’m sure there was some reasoning behind it, but given that the roster freeze is officially on, unless someone is immediately coming in, we’ll probably never know. hopefully this was best for all parties involved, but it still sucks to lose a local star who played for the red stars for almost four seasons and always gave everything on the pitch.
massive thank you to julianne sitch for all she did for the club and does for the community!
hey friends. our own contributor hannah recently conducted an interview with chicago’s speedy speedster finishing clinician jen hoy. it’s up at hannah’s fabulous site penalty corners.
1. Would you like to tell us a bit about yourself, on and off the pitch?
psych up action, current weirdo chicago rock edition.
hey, did you know we’re currently in fifth place? we are! let’s keep it going and move on up! boston are dead last. dead. last. (well, tied with houston for it) let’s crush them at home. please. it won’t be easy, cuz winning away is always tough and boston will be desperate for points so we’ll have to maintain discipline and organization in the back. but i know we can do it. i’m calling a 2-1 chicago victory.
red the house down 