I am fairly certain that Alex Morgan could start for an MLS team.
6 months ago
agtk
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I'm pretty sure most MLS center backs would have broken that up when she knocked the ball down and crossed it over
Compare that to Montero’s MLS goal of the year candidate to get a feel for the difference in time and space that Montero had to work with.
by CMC_Stags on Nov 21, 2011 12:57 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Well,
this was against Norway, one of the top 5 womens teams in the world, and no pushover. Also, Montero trapped his ball in the middle of the box, after it was deflected over to him. Alex controlled this on the run and fired a decent shot with her left foot. Are MLS centerbacks better than those with the Swedish national team? Maybe. But I do see Alex’s control with the ball and her accuracy with her shots, and I would bet she could find a starting spot on an MLS team. I mean, it’s not like she would be hurting the Revolution, haha.
The only way we will know
Regardless of what you think about whether the top female players could compete in a men’s league, the only way that we will ever know is to give them the same chance that the men have. Let them take their shot and let the chips fall where they may.
Given the opportunity, somewhere there are women who will find a way to be competitive and successful. And I would certainly enjoy the opportunity to cheer these women on as Sounders. I would also value and cherish the message that it would send to my nieces and nephews about opportunity.
by Abbott Smith on Nov 22, 2011 3:58 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Sorry...
Women already have the same opportunity to play MLS as men do. They aren’t being barred from the league. If there was a woman who could compete with the men out there and help their team win, they would be on the field. Just like if there was a woman who could throw 3 good pitches, she’d be signed to a Major League contract.
Alex Morgan, as good as she is, would get schooled out there. Any woman would.
I'm pretty certain that they are currently barred from the league
It may be a FIFA issue, rather than an MLS specific barring, but I seem to recall having the barring pointed out when someone mentioned Hope Solo as a possible replacement for Keller after he retired. With the strength of the US Women’s National Team recognition, there would be a definite upside to an MLS franchise giving a woman a shot to make a roster. Huge PR and marketing boon if she could make the squad. Do I think that Alex Morgan is that female player? Probably not, at least where she is in her development. But just because she isn’t the player, doesn’t mean that there isn’t a female player who could make a squad.
by Abbott Smith on Nov 23, 2011 11:15 AM PST up reply actions
Well I've obviously been educated.
Did not know about the ban. I still strongly doubt that it matters though. I have played against women who played in college and while they were quite good, I matched up well. I can’t say the same for their male counterparts. I couldn’t hang on the field with them.
I would be shocked if we see a woman play in a pro men’s league (and it not being a publicity stunt) in our lifetime.
If it happens I’ll buy you a beer.
I'd be happy to buy the round if it happens
Regardless of whether any current female player measures up, until they are given the opportunity to try, incentives for figuring out how to compete at the appropriate level are lacking. Open the gates and watch. Someone will capitalize on the opportunity.
And given the opportunity, the coed popularity of the sport in the US, will apply the necessary melting pot for these women to continue to rise to the challenge. Artificial restrictions are just that, artificial.
by Abbott Smith on Nov 25, 2011 11:09 AM PST up reply actions
There is a pretty wide talent gap between college sports and pros
It might be a little less so in womens sports (I don’t know what kind of numbers of college athletes the move up to pro in womens sports), but I’m sure it’s a pretty wide gap. There are only ever going to be a handful, probaby 2-3, players on any team that will continue on to be pros. Judging how you hang with an average college athlete isn’t saying a whole lot, not to be offensive, as compared to a professional athlete. There is also a pretty wide gap in talent just within college sport itself I would guess.
I doubt there is a defender in the MLS who would want to mark Abby Wambach in an actual game. She maybe a woman but I definitely wouldn’t want to have to defender her on a set piece, or in general. A player like Marta is skilled enough for the physical aspects to not be as important.
But like Abbott says it’s a moot point until a woman is allowed to actually try to compete with the men.
Not buying it
A woman on an MLS team would be a kick in the balls for the league. They wouldn’t be able to match the speed, intensity, or how physical the league is. A better option would be putting Jaqua in the girls league.
So there is nothing to lose in letting them try
My point is that until they are giving the opportunity, the argument is moot. And claims that not giving them the opportunity because they will only fail are a textbook definition of prejudice. Human will is an amazing force. Every claim throughout history that a group of people is incapable of accomplishing something has been interrupted by the group shattering the barrier once they were given the opportunity to try.
I have no idea how long it will take for women to capitalize on the opportunity once the field is open. I only know that at some point they will.
by Abbott Smith on Nov 28, 2011 12:13 PM PST up reply actions
What concerns me the most
about a woman potentially playing in a men’s league is not talent or skill or whether or not she could keep up. I’m sure the best female player in the world could keep up with the MLS in those areas. I’m concerned about what might happen the first time someone like Olave would come in with a hard sliding tackle. The simple fact is that male defenders are bigger and stronger than female defenders, and more likely to injure female opponents.
On the other hand, they could be fearful of hurting their female opponent and hold back, losing their competitive edge in the process. Most of us are taught from an early age to not hurt women. It’s very difficult to unlearn that. Then again, a lot of MLS forwards aren’t that much bigger than Alex Morgan, so it might not be as huge of an issue as I’m imagining. They’re certainly used to playing physical against other women, so it might require more of a psychological adjustment on the part of male players to treat female opponents and male opponents equally.
It’s uncharted territory for a contact sport, so who knows.
Not our place to make that decision for a consenting adult
Yes, MLS is a contact sport. Any athelete who fields the pitch understands this and accepts the risks. But the key issue is that the choice to assume the risk needs to fall on the athelete, not the league. The league can insist on certain standards such as protective gear or rules of play. But the ultimate decision to weigh the risks should be the athelete’s decision.
by Abbott Smith on Nov 28, 2011 3:48 PM PST up reply actions
Andy Roddick Beat Me With a Frying Pan
This kind of thing was covered in detail in the book. Men and Women’s sports are pretty even; with Women often being better until the men turn about 16. From then on the women just can’t compete. He gives examples of elite women’s teams in soccer and basketball struggling against boys high school all stars.
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