I was among the many who braved the sharp winds down in Richmond to watch the WUSA pre-season tournament.  What I saw was mostly pleasing, though there were a few disappointing signs.  Granted, I was unable to stay for the entire tournament, but this is what I saw:

          I saw thousands of little girls still inspired by a professional women’s league.  To see these young athletes clamor for the autographs of their soccer role models bodes well for the league.  There was even the Junior Rhinos girls team who traveled all the way down from Rochester, N.Y..  Now if that is not commitment and dedication, then I don’t know what is!

          I saw a very sharp and technically sound Washington Freedom team intent on etching out a better season than last year.  Monica Gerardo looks ready to truly stamp her name on the midfield.  And Abby Wambach was a tremendous draft pick, who will no doubt look more dangerous as the season goes along.  Unfortunately, their attack was a bit too predictable.  In their game against Atlanta, they rarely got behind their opponents defense.  Nonetheless, they clearly have the individual talent and are already looking more cohesive than last season.

          On the other hand, Atlanta is filled with players who can turn a game at any moment.  (And, mind you, they were playing without the likes of Cindy Parlow).  Sun Wen, despite her injury beleaguered body, is still a master on the ball with vision akin to Valderrama. And despite the fact that Charmaine Hooper is loosing ground as she gets up in age, she is still full of surprises and a hand full to deal with.  She sent a beautiful blind through pass to Homare Sawa who had no excuse for not scoring on the one-on-one break away.  But despite her mishap on goal Sawa is really the true offensive key to the Atlanta team.  Next to Wen, Sawa is the best passer and has far better mobility.  No doubt Atlanta will still be a force, despite losing the game 1-0.         

          On the down side, Carolina still looks like a team without purpose or plan.  There attack was static and many of their players run in the most predictable channels.  Despite the hype about Danielle Fotopoulos, she is not the answer.  She often looses the ball due to her poor skills.  And she is quickly realizing that the power and speed that propelled her to the top of the collegiate game will not get her by in the professional ranks where others can match her speed, if not her power.  An offense dependent on Fotopoulos will not succeed.  The acquisition of Danielle Slaton could help, but more importantly, they will have to learn to vary their attack.  They have quite a talent in Kim Yankowski, but she is as predictable as they come.  She has speed and skill, but seems content solely on taking the ball to the corner and sending a cross each time.  Never does she cut inside to add a different threat.  With her talent, she could become the Marc Overmars of the WUSA.  And if coach McDermott could figure out a way to utilize the talents of Venus James, she could have a double threat of speed and skill on the field that could add to the power game of Fotopoulos.  

          Philly may have had the best movement off the ball of all the previous three teams.  Their attack was quite diverse.  Unfortunately, they did not seem to have much bite to match their diversified attack.  Clearly they were missing the likes of forward Kelly Smith, because offensively, they had little to offer.  That is except the tremendously welcoming talents of their French superstar, Marinette Pichon.   She is my pick for the surprise of the season.  This woman has it all - speed and an overabundance of skill.  Without sounding too trite, I would say Pichon combines speed, skill and determination, much like her countrymen, Thierry Henry and David Trezequet.  Look out for a French twist on the league this season!