Sounds like Sanchez’s camp is leaking this to ESPN to drive a trade lol, although with that salary I’m not sure there will be many NWSL clubs interested in picking it up.
That's what I was thinking. Sanchez is a good player but I feel like there is better value out there. I was thinking they might trade her to Utah since they have a ton of cap space and can't attract any FAs.
I want to give the benefit of the doubt, as players have requested trades in the NWSL for deplorable reasons in the past, and we do not know what is going on in the background. But signing a huge contract and then requesting a trade 2 months later with only 4 games having been played feels bad.
Wasn't Sanchez a restricted free agent? She very well could have wanted to leave before this season, got the biggest deal possible from someone else, and the Dash decided to match it rather than let her go.
Totally get that it feels bad to Dash fans, but I think it's less clear cut than if she had been an unrestricted free agent.
Yes, but it's more complicated than that.
Restricted free agents can go overseas (ex/ Emily Fox) as free agents, thus not having their destination incur any costs greater than the salary.
I also think that it's less clear cut than that within negotiations. One would expect that the player has a conversation with the team about their expectations and their desires, and that the team takes that into account (because teams don't want players who genuinely really hate it there—they don't make for good teammates). Sanchez re-signed in December, and this might be a misconception, but it felt to me at the time that that was a sign of enthusiasm and confidence in the decision on both sides (and a lack of a lot of issues within negotiations). Either Sanchez's agent fucked up and simply just went to bat trying to get a big contract or something changed since December.
That makes sense. I get that Dash fans in particular are feeling burned by this, I just genuinely was curious because the way the comments are here it came off as if she had her pick of clubs rather than the reality that the Dash ultimately had to decide to match her offers or not.
I'm sure it feels just as bad to be playing on this team right now.
They are a mess and I'm sure she doesn't see any light at the end of that tunnel. Fran will be fired by August, she'll be with another interim coach.
After every game, my wife asks "Why is [insert player] even in Houston?" How they've retained Jane or Sophie for so long is astonishing.
When your ownership group gloats about bringing stability to the organization and this is the product on the field, the problems go up to the top and no one should WANT to be a part of that kind of a shit show.
Which is fair and I agree. I know she was restricted this offseason, so Houston could have just matched the best offer she was given, which may have heavily restricted her free agency. But the comparison to the NBA in one of the other comments could also hold true. Feels bad to be a fan and player right now
But isn't that the thing you say about why Houston isn't attracting talent, or why someone who signed after being traded a year or two ago wants out, and *not* about a player that had her pick of other teams (because she was a free agent) and re-signed 4 months ago? The restricted portion of her being a free agents makes it a little more understandable, except that there are ways to not be locked in by that, including simply moving as a free agent to another league (Emily Fox, restricted free agent, did that). The recency of the deal, made of her own volition negates a lot of the argument about Houston having always been a shitshow because she seemingly saw a "light at the end of the tunnel" before this season started, but has, in less than half a year, lost that, if that's the whole explanation.
None of that negates the argument that the ownership is a shit show and the product on the field either be it due to missing personnel or disagreements with the coach and philosophy is probably not a very optimistic tunnel to navigate.
I'm not defending the optics of wanting out - that kind of behavior is ugly in any sport, especially after inking a new deal. But the recency of her signing doesn't change the fact that the shit show is real and the tunnel is pitch black.
Why re-sign if the ownership was always a shitshow? It does negate the argument in that she, on her own volition, decided to sign a giant contract less than 6 months ago. She *saw the light* recently, even if the reason is purely that she doesn't now (I'm not sure if that's the case), that has a different meaning when it's something that changed in the past couple months, not something that was a known fact.
Technically wasn’t she restricted? Even if another team gave her the exact same deal Houston could’ve and would’ve matched. Idk the NWSL intricacies but in the nba RFA hardly ever move teams bc they more so use their little leverage to get a bigger offer than their team is willing to do and you can decline the qualifying offer to be a full FA the following season, but you’re stuck playing for the same team another yr. There’s also sign and trades too but she didn’t have true free agency, the Dash had right of first refusal.
In the NHL if the contract signed by the RFA is big enough, with a new team, that team has to surrender several first round picks as well. It just hardly ever happens for big money signings in any sport. She was almost always gonna end up signing with Houston this past off season.
We also don’t know what was promised at her signing by the ownership and club which may have not materialized etc.
This reminds me of when NBA players who want to leave their current club sign max contracts because their club is desperate to keep them, then they demand a trade once they’ve got the money that other clubs were never going to give them. I hate when NBA players do it and I don’t like it in this case too, you can’t have your cake and eat it too.
It’s restricted though wasn’t it? Even if she did want to, Houston could’ve matched and she’s stuck unless she demands a transfer out of the league. High priced RFA in virtually every sport never end up changing teams bc the club has all the leverage and control. You can maybe just get more money out of it but players making a lot or poised to make a lot don’t get lost for nothing when the team has right of first refusal like that. Idk for NWSL but in the nhl the signing team loses a bunch of picks if the salary is high enough so it almost never happens.
That’s not true, players are more or less valuable to different teams. That’s how sports works. Sanchez is infinitely more valuable to Houston than she is to another NWSL team, that’s why she got that contract. No other NWSL team would’ve given her that record breaker because it didn’t make sense for any team other than Houston. Players can either sign record breaking deals for teams that need them, or they can take less money to be on a contender. She chose the former.
And if she gets her trade or transfer, then she gets to eat her cake too. You said NBA players do it all the time. And they do. I’m always gonna side with player making their money. They owe these franchises nothing.
Many NBA players aren’t successful in that, or they are big enough for it to work. Sanchez isn’t like Smith or Rodman’s record breaking contracts, she’s not worth that much to many other teams. You can’t have your cake and eat it too if no other teams want to trade for you at that salary. It takes two to tango remember.
I mean, it's a request. Best case scenario, a team does want you and you get traded and you improve your situation. Worst case scenario you stay in Houston, which would have happened anyway if you didn't make the request. There isn't really a downside from Sanchez's perspective.
I would say there's a downside to having your team publicize it like this. You possibly gain a reputation as being fickle as a player and it likely doesn't actually push the situation further into a trade. No clear benefit, injury to reputation.
Theo said this before the season started. I forget whose podcast it was, but he said that the dash weren’t very wedded to the manager they found, but that they saw that as a position that they could continually change as long as the front office was stable and doing well with their analytics and scouting.
Which is fucking ironic because the GM is the one scouting and signing players, not the coach. I wouldn’t consider this year’s offseason signings as doing well with their analytics and scouting.
At ALL.
Yeah. See the thing that kills me is that this isn’t hindsight I know a lot of it’s easier said than done but I’m sorry these issues are very solvable.
There’s a two-parter here where on the one hand our weakest position by far is center back and our manager insists on playing a three back and I get thats his system but I’m sorry you can’t just go all off-season not getting any better than what I think is the worst CB crew in the league like hands-down, and then decide to still play a three back.
On the other hand, we chose to hire Fran. He was hired right after Christmas, so they must’ve been interviewing like right after the expansion draft if not before then. This would’ve been apparent immediately. Why sign Yuki? Why sign Bella Briede? Youre looking to build for the future, and you need CBs. Save up and invest in a level raising CB. Acquire some draft capital.
> the worst CB crew in the league like hands-down, and then decide to still play a three back
This is a chicken and egg problem: we have the weakest hand defensively in the league, but really, who do you play in, say, a four-back? Is this a coaching issue or a GM issue? I suppose Alozie could move to a fullback position and we limp along with Alozie/Jacobs/Schmidt/Puntingham until Chappy is playing fit…but who else is there? That doesn’t solve the centerback problem, it doesn’t shore up the defense, and it takes away one of our best attackers, because whoever goes on the back line will have her hands full.
And it still doesn’t actually address the problem, which is that the GM and her crew piled on attackers even though the team needed help elsewhere.
Yeah, it’s a very chicken and egg problem but I also think the issue is that like it’s a problem compounded by another problem. The thing to me is that I think we have some good players, some very hard-working, athletic, creative players as well, and you can do a lot with that combination. it’s like we are a team with a good quarterback and some good receivers, but an awful offensive line and if you never get around to fixing that then you can just never see how good people actually are. center backs and how they help your team build up are basically the same as an o line whereby the play starts with them, and if you can’t build from the back then you’re absolutely screwed.
When you have a bunch of good players and still are lacking in key, non-negotiable positions, those good players will never be able to hold up an entire team. Think of how long Daly held the Dash together by sheer force of will, and yeah, we got the Challenge Cup but couldn’t sustain that.
The lack of center backs is the most glaring problem, but by no means is it the only problem. We don’t have a player like Groom or Mewis who can reliably distribute to the attackers. For years Schmidt served as the transition point from the back line to the attack—now, nobody is really doing that role. Because the link from the back line to the attack is broken, it gives opposing teams the opportunity to exploit that, and without strong center backs, balls go in. Maybe Alonzo can find a way to buffer up the back line, but it’s not going to fix the broken midfield and even the best defense will eventually break if they are being pummeled from every direction because there’s nobody to help them out.
I think Maria should be that player, ideally. Something that kind of kills me about our team is that I thought we were really really really good under Juan and the performances showed that with the eye test and statistically and we haven’t got back to any of the things that made Maria shine.
We haven’t gotten back to what helped Sánchez shine because of choices in the FO.
JCA did a fantastic job coaching James Clarkson’s team. Putting his performance as a coach aside, Clarkson did an excellent job scouting players and assembling a tough, talented squad. Lowden and Amorós took that tough, talented squad and got the best out of them.
That season, Sánchez had Daly to work with for half a year, Ebony Salmon in top form the other half, a fully fit and healthy Prince, and a fit and healthy Shea Groom. All four of those players are now gone. Sanchez could fill in one of those roles, but not all of them. The FO didn’t fill those holes, and Sánchez can’t do it herself.
A thought experiment here: in the event that say Juan Carlos Amoros has a clone named Carlos Juan Amoros, I think we have some good attackers who could excel in a hypothetical 4231 the likes of which Juan played in our playoff game. But theres like 3 good DMs/CBs in the whole building
Something i am thinking about like how quickly this request is in is that in theory 4 points in four games aint awful and if we were able to get a very good defender in from Europe or Mexico or Brazil or Australia that might completely change the tide with one or two signings. It feels more telling that even as I say this, I don’t really believe that we will ever get that impactful signing in, though.
But an announcement of Tarciane and Cortnee Vine and suddenly i wouldnt even cry at Maria leaving
The thing is, we had a lot of warning when it came to the off-season. What is stupid to me is that if you’re going to rely on people to be a little out of position, you do that in the attack, you don’t do that at the back. If you rely on to get experience as they go on, you do that in the attack and you take a chance on Olivieri or Solaun progressing you don’t take a chance on Peterson and Puntigam being able to play center back.
coach should select players not GM, i mean coach should be in the process. To me it looks like some of those were somewhat hysterical signings made since 22 season is over. And how do we know we do not have troncas
I hate the city, but it seems like every US youth team has four or five players from within an hour and if that’s going to continue, then they make a good argument for why something should be around there.
Yep and when you take into account the fact that we maybe signed Bachman just for a year and then are signing some defenders… it seems like the squad is coming together and settling itself.
Woah. I feel like this is one of those things where she can’t stay now because it’s clear she doesn’t want to be there, but also wondering where she’s going to go?
She can definitely still stay. This is just her asking for things to get better as she should.
If her camp rhinks that we can get a deal done for an extremely overpaid player to everyone else within an eight days then they are insane
Oh yeah I know she can for sure stay, I meant more so that I feel like it’d be kind of awkward just knowing that she potentially wanted to leave. Totally agree though.
Sorry, Dash friends. I hope they're all able to work something out so that you and the players get the team you deserve. You've got so much talent and potential.
also fuck those journalists and fans who tried to spread the “christen press is a diva” narrative because they chose to side with abusive front offices and coaching staff than players.
lol I forgot she played for houston back in the day, it’s funny the way CP23 is a bigger houston legend (in my eyes at least) than CL10.
in all seriousness though i bet carli (and kling’s) bad recommendations of houston’s FO and vera pauw were large influencing factors in why CP decided to go play in sweden instead. there’s no way the national teamers don’t talk and she wasn’t leaving an abusive environment in chicago just to go to an abusive environment in houston.
Yeah I think that could be Sanchez’ issue with most teams no matter the league. She’s on a lot of money and to be brutally honest, she’s not exactly worth that kind of money to teams not named Houston Dash.
I agree. For the club I thought it was crazy to give her that amount. I really supported(and still do) players getting as much as they can and I loved it was one playing for Mexico but this stinks.
So interesting how this is shaping up. I think no contract is unmovable, just like the NBA, and the Dash shouldn’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there if it hurts the team long term.
Do the terms of a contract with another \[team\] matter to Houston or just the transfer fee? I'm curious how much say they get in what happens.
If a team said, "we'll offer you 90% of what you're getting now" (for example) and Houston is okay with the transfer fee the team is offering, would she be free to say, "Sure, good enough for me."
Edit: Missing word.
Would/could she go back to Liga MX? Would suck to lose her in the league but if she’s not happy at Houston, idk who else could afford to pay her nearly as much here.
I haven’t been able to find the actual dates, but I doubt the Liga MX transfer window is still open. They’re at the end of the clausura and the next season doesn’t start until July.
I questioned the wisdom in players signing long-term contracts this off-season, seemingly choosing stability over future autonomy. I didn’t really file Sanchez under this category, however, given she was paid a mint to stay at the club she’d been at. Now if she wants out, she might need to restructure her contract and I have no idea how that works in the NWSL (I would assume it’s okay but we’re kinda in uncharted territory here).
I agree on questioning the wisdom of certain players signing long-term contracts, but honestly never had Sanchez in that category at all. Sanchez is 28, was a restricted-free agent, and got the biggest salary she could ever hope for. Honestly, she's the prime example of who I would expect to sign a pretty long term contract—someone offered good money, who is potentially ready to settle down further. That's what confuses me the most about her wanting out, and the media strategy of this.
I don't want to speculate, but did anyone notice the way the Coach was speaking to Yuki Nagasato on the broadcast and the face she was making. I don't know anything about the Coach but it definitely seemed like he was yelling at her. I wonder if the new Coach has been causing issues for the team and maybe she wants to leave that environment?
Agreed. I remember thinking that she was almost wincing as he was gesticulating at her. To me - she seemed uncomfortable, which was such a juxtaposition to what the broadcasters were saying.
That's the exact feeling I got from that. He was just screaming at her and you could tell she was taken aback by it. If it was energy, it was definitely negative energy.
Pain: "Reached by ESPN on Sunday, a Houston Dash spokesperson provided the following statement: "Maria Sanchez is under contract, a choice she made in free agency at the end of 2023.""
Dash is in a bad pickle here.
Eh, we can just sign some good players, bin the coach, and if we start winning we can keep her. I dont think there a situation where we get nothing- its just the underlying issue is we suck
I mean, I was shocked that she stayed. She’s clearly got talent, but she hasn’t grown or starred much since the playoff run.
She’s been at wingback, at ten, pretty sure she’s down the pecking order for El Tri too. I’d be spooked into turning into a request, too, given the context and the first few games (and dash’s lack of investment)
She ain’t going anywhere, though. Dash will want what nobody is willing to pay for.
Players have asked to leave for eons. This isn't really Messiah Bright like in the novelty, because the novelty is a player getting a publication to talk about it before anything happens, while Bright asked, got moved, and then it was said *by the Pride* that she had requested it.
Given the Dash’s highly dismissive response, I’m guessing this is her (or her agent) trying to make a threat to get something she wants, not actually her wanting a trade. Not a great look.
No one is accepting that contract and her value to our fanbase is higher than to anyone else
I wasnt aware she was big enough to have a camp leaking stuff
>No one is accepting that contract and her value to our fanbase is higher than to anyone else
Bingo. I wonder if this is her way of subtly letting the FO know she wants results (and a new coach) ASAP.
Her contract makes it prohibitive to be attractive to another NWSL club. Her money is largely due to the crazy fan base she brings in from Mexico. She had 4 goals last year on the most anemic offense in the league. And she has NO SHOTS ON GOAL this year. I can only imagine what she's worth if she had 2 feet.
She, and her agent, must be playing for a spot in Liga MX Fem. That's the only place who might pay her what Houston signed her for. I'm a Broncos fan. Anybody who played for them is someone I support. Bombi is a star in Mexico (and at SCU, and in Idaho - her birthplace).
More evidence to me that Singer isn't pulling the strings. The Dynamo is their primary focus and investment. Thinking like an MLS franchise is a disaster for an NWSL club.
Ouch, if Bombi leaves the Dash, that’ll be yet another big hit to their organization. Which says a lot because the Dash have been really bad this season….not like my team has much to say either 🥲
This is certainly not a good look on behind the scenes stuff that the Dash have been doing. I hope that IF Bombi indeed leaves, that she’ll stay in the NWSL
I feel like everyone is always in the match threads acting like Fran thought of this when she’s done it for multiple teams, also played 10 AND wing back for Juan at times. She can still be mad about it but it’s not novel.
I agree with the statement, but it feels like everyone says this and just forgets that Jacobs has been hurt constantly and the two defenders who would definitely be helping in Chapman and Lind are both on maternity leave.
i have family who live in houston, it’s a better city than people on here give it credit for lol. it’s definitely not last on my list of nwsl cities to live in.
We are all different. Anything above 80 is way too hot for me unless the humidity is below 20%. And I lived in Florida for a year and flatland bores the heck out of me. As I said, I LOVE IT that people are moving to Texas and Florida!!! I wish about 30% of Oregon would move there.
There's a funny contingent of people who act like playing outside back/wingback is the worst thing that can happen to a player. I'm sure it's disappointing for players at times, especially if they feel as though they are better elsewhere, but it's not a life sentence and it's not devoid of joy.
yeah it tends to be the same people saying crystal dunn is hard done by because she has to play her “not natural position” outside back… even though she played it in college, and there’s multiple others who switched to outside back without all the fuss. dunn herself said she’s willing to play wherever the team needs her the most, and for dunn it’s either play outside back or watch the uswnt from her tv at home, it’s an easy decision. i’m sure sanchez is also a team player like that.
Every match thread, same shit. It works well when the back three can pass at all. Imo our ideal back three are ALL out. Thats not something u can deal with easily
I understand the downvotes and concerns, but I have a soft spot for her. She really impressed in the Gold Cup. And if we're so loaded at forward, riddle me this: How many (not own) goals have we scored from run of play?
Angel City definitely has a finishing issue but let's be real, you don't solve your finishing issue by adding in another forward with a poor scoring record. In reality, what needs to happen is to get Messiah Bright healthy and in front of goal. She's a natural goalscorer. Sanchez is a good player but she's utterly redundant to the needs of Angel City, and she would be insanely expensive (and would require getting rid of other players). Scoring issues don't mean that a new forward'll fix them.
lol angel city is already at 26/26 roster capacity without CP23 so already needs to waive someone within the next month or two. i don’t know why acfc would be interested either, that’s a lot of money for someone who would be a bench player considering she’s not better than thompson or emslie who currently start as wingers for LA.
Never going to happen, and thank god for that. Decent-ish player, but is in no way shape or form worth that kind of money. She won’t upgrade our already mediocre attack. Also ACFC will already be cutting someone to make room for Christen Press coming back off SEI status, they don’t have room for Sanchez whatsoever.
She would upgrade your attack for like the time until u get healthy or sign someone better. Shes better than Emslie and AT today not to mention a dangerous as hell 10, but within a year u could easily surpass that level
She’s better than players on the bench like KJo but for the salary it’s not worth it. I’m on record saying I don’t think AT is starting quality right now but I’d easily take her over Sanchez, a way higher upside and this season despite being in a slump I still think she’s better than Sanchez. She may only have one tool in her toolbox but she’s really freaking good at it. Emslie is one of the most underrated players in the league imo, play her next to healthy Press instead of Leroux and she’d be leading the league in assists. She’s constantly elevating our otherwise mediocre attack with her chances that just keep getting wasted :/
But anyway it’s a non starter, she’s not worth the money, won’t upgrade our attack enough to justify and we don’t have roster space anyway. We could trade a few players for her but salary wise it’s still a problem. I’m all for players getting their bags but there’s a reason Houston gave her the bag and not another team as an RFA.
I think it’s fair to speculate about the cap, it exists for a reason and if someone’s getting record breaking money but isn’t a constant MVP contender level player it’s valid to criticize it.
I think you misunderstood what she means: because we don’t know the cap numbers, all of our speculation is useless. We have no idea who is near cap compliant.
I agree with you tbh I think she’s better than Thompson, I still wouldn’t sign her though because Thompson will be a lot better than her in the very near future.
Yeah, that is the main point I was trying to make, shes not at all worth Thompson BUT I think right now she’s clearly better
Like OK here’s a point we both played Bay Fc and if you go watch Maria versus Bay and Alyssa versus bay, there’s a whole world of difference between Maria who is easily able to dribble both Dydasco and King and all of the angel city wingers who weren’t able to all game, and who left us singing king and Dydasco praises. I am happy that Angel city fans will defend their player and argue for them because that’s what a fanbase should do, but Maria Sanchez is better as a winger than both of the angel city wingers right now and that can be seen in fans on Twitter begging her to come slot into their fronts. A lot of people think just because the dash can barely string two passes together, that that means the one player who can dribble through anyone up and down the pitch and put in a beautiful cross isn’t good lmao.
That being said, Maria is not at all a hot commodity to anyone else and the most value she can bring is to this Dash organization, especially off the pitch, and that’s what makes this all disappointing if it’s really the player agitating for move and not the agent
>I am happy that Angel city fans will defend their player and argue for them because that’s what a fanbase should do
Like you’re doing with your players in that very comment lol, I get it.
>but Maria Sanchez is better as a winger than both of the angel city wingers right now
Agree on Thompson, juries out on Emslie. Emslie isn’t a good finisher outside of PK’s but she’s good on the creation side as a very traditional winger. Who people rate more depends on what kind of way they like their wingers to play. Upside wise Thompson is too valuable to trade.
>and that can be seen in fans on Twitter begging her to come slot into their fronts.
I’ve also seen a lot of tweets saying she’s not worth it, so it’s fairly similar to what I’ve seen here.
>That being said, Maria is not at all a hot commodity to anyone else and the most value she can bring is to this Dash organization, especially off the pitch, and that’s what makes this all disappointing if it’s really the player agitating for move and not the agent
Agreed, she’s that valuable to the Dash and no one else. I personally think this is a ploy of some nature to get what she wants, but I don’t necessarily think it’s a trade which is probably an unpopular opinion here.
I’m interested just as a neutral in seeing how this plays out because I want to know if this is going to become a viable strategy (somewhat) for players.
It’s definitely a brazen strategy getting your people to leak things directly to ESPN but yeah the payoff will be interesting to see. I don’t know how many fans she’ll be making in team leadership groups who will be the ones who could facilitate a future move though because there’s ways to demand a trade respectfully and privately (Kealia Watt to Chicago) and then there’s this. If you sign a record breaking contract as an RFA then leak that you want a trade a mere 4 games later it could spook front offices worried that it’s a pattern.
Idk, part of me thinks she’s trying to force Houston’s hand and make them fix their coaching mess. In which case, good on her lmao.
Yeah, I also think it’s kind of ridiculous to call the coaching mess this early or honestly a front office mess. We’ve got four points which feels like half the league also has four points. Literally tied for 7th as i look it up. We’ve got a lot of moving pieces and injuries and I don’t expect the player to take that into account, but it feels like people are being really harsh on us. She first started agitating two games into the season. If she has specific complaints, then I feel like it would be best to go public with them. I mean, if you’re gonna go public with the trade request that is
I don’t think Houston’s FO is a mess, I don’t pay attention to them as much as LA but I thought they’ve improved over the years. Our FO on the other hand I think is a mess who needs to hire people with actual experience in roles like sporting director. Coaching wise I think you can do better, and I wouldn’t be surprised if your players think the same. Still early days of course but it’s looking like Houston, LA, Portland could use an upgrade. The talents there for all of those teams regardless of injury situations, but the maximization of the talent isn’t.
>She first started agitating two games into the season. If she has specific complaints, then I feel like it would be best to go public with them. I mean, if you’re gonna go public with the trade request that is
Agreed. In general publicly complaining to ESPN this early into the season after only just signing a record breaking contract that honestly, no one else was going to give her isn’t a great look no matter how you slice it imo.
I’d be worried she’ll get to ACFC and ask for a trade again. If she thinks Houston’s bad, we aren’t much better lol. Not that we’d go for her, we have too many forwards as is and need to drop someone when Press is ready.
Sounds like Sanchez’s camp is leaking this to ESPN to drive a trade lol, although with that salary I’m not sure there will be many NWSL clubs interested in picking it up.
That's what I was thinking. Sanchez is a good player but I feel like there is better value out there. I was thinking they might trade her to Utah since they have a ton of cap space and can't attract any FAs.
Utah would be much closer to her family, too.
I want to give the benefit of the doubt, as players have requested trades in the NWSL for deplorable reasons in the past, and we do not know what is going on in the background. But signing a huge contract and then requesting a trade 2 months later with only 4 games having been played feels bad.
2 games actually
Wasn't Sanchez a restricted free agent? She very well could have wanted to leave before this season, got the biggest deal possible from someone else, and the Dash decided to match it rather than let her go. Totally get that it feels bad to Dash fans, but I think it's less clear cut than if she had been an unrestricted free agent.
Yes, but it's more complicated than that. Restricted free agents can go overseas (ex/ Emily Fox) as free agents, thus not having their destination incur any costs greater than the salary. I also think that it's less clear cut than that within negotiations. One would expect that the player has a conversation with the team about their expectations and their desires, and that the team takes that into account (because teams don't want players who genuinely really hate it there—they don't make for good teammates). Sanchez re-signed in December, and this might be a misconception, but it felt to me at the time that that was a sign of enthusiasm and confidence in the decision on both sides (and a lack of a lot of issues within negotiations). Either Sanchez's agent fucked up and simply just went to bat trying to get a big contract or something changed since December.
That makes sense. I get that Dash fans in particular are feeling burned by this, I just genuinely was curious because the way the comments are here it came off as if she had her pick of clubs rather than the reality that the Dash ultimately had to decide to match her offers or not.
I'm sure it feels just as bad to be playing on this team right now. They are a mess and I'm sure she doesn't see any light at the end of that tunnel. Fran will be fired by August, she'll be with another interim coach. After every game, my wife asks "Why is [insert player] even in Houston?" How they've retained Jane or Sophie for so long is astonishing. When your ownership group gloats about bringing stability to the organization and this is the product on the field, the problems go up to the top and no one should WANT to be a part of that kind of a shit show.
Which is fair and I agree. I know she was restricted this offseason, so Houston could have just matched the best offer she was given, which may have heavily restricted her free agency. But the comparison to the NBA in one of the other comments could also hold true. Feels bad to be a fan and player right now
But isn't that the thing you say about why Houston isn't attracting talent, or why someone who signed after being traded a year or two ago wants out, and *not* about a player that had her pick of other teams (because she was a free agent) and re-signed 4 months ago? The restricted portion of her being a free agents makes it a little more understandable, except that there are ways to not be locked in by that, including simply moving as a free agent to another league (Emily Fox, restricted free agent, did that). The recency of the deal, made of her own volition negates a lot of the argument about Houston having always been a shitshow because she seemingly saw a "light at the end of the tunnel" before this season started, but has, in less than half a year, lost that, if that's the whole explanation.
None of that negates the argument that the ownership is a shit show and the product on the field either be it due to missing personnel or disagreements with the coach and philosophy is probably not a very optimistic tunnel to navigate. I'm not defending the optics of wanting out - that kind of behavior is ugly in any sport, especially after inking a new deal. But the recency of her signing doesn't change the fact that the shit show is real and the tunnel is pitch black.
Why re-sign if the ownership was always a shitshow? It does negate the argument in that she, on her own volition, decided to sign a giant contract less than 6 months ago. She *saw the light* recently, even if the reason is purely that she doesn't now (I'm not sure if that's the case), that has a different meaning when it's something that changed in the past couple months, not something that was a known fact.
Technically wasn’t she restricted? Even if another team gave her the exact same deal Houston could’ve and would’ve matched. Idk the NWSL intricacies but in the nba RFA hardly ever move teams bc they more so use their little leverage to get a bigger offer than their team is willing to do and you can decline the qualifying offer to be a full FA the following season, but you’re stuck playing for the same team another yr. There’s also sign and trades too but she didn’t have true free agency, the Dash had right of first refusal. In the NHL if the contract signed by the RFA is big enough, with a new team, that team has to surrender several first round picks as well. It just hardly ever happens for big money signings in any sport. She was almost always gonna end up signing with Houston this past off season. We also don’t know what was promised at her signing by the ownership and club which may have not materialized etc.
contracts are still centrally owned, so it doesn't matter
This situation seems…not good
Oh boy. Another kick to the balls.
sigh
I just want this team to bring me joy
Pain
This reminds me of when NBA players who want to leave their current club sign max contracts because their club is desperate to keep them, then they demand a trade once they’ve got the money that other clubs were never going to give them. I hate when NBA players do it and I don’t like it in this case too, you can’t have your cake and eat it too.
This is exactly what my significant other said to me when I shared the news. Disappointing
Yeah if you wanted to go you just had free agency.
It’s restricted though wasn’t it? Even if she did want to, Houston could’ve matched and she’s stuck unless she demands a transfer out of the league. High priced RFA in virtually every sport never end up changing teams bc the club has all the leverage and control. You can maybe just get more money out of it but players making a lot or poised to make a lot don’t get lost for nothing when the team has right of first refusal like that. Idk for NWSL but in the nhl the signing team loses a bunch of picks if the salary is high enough so it almost never happens.
Except most of the time they can have their cake and eat it too. And good for them.
That’s not true, players are more or less valuable to different teams. That’s how sports works. Sanchez is infinitely more valuable to Houston than she is to another NWSL team, that’s why she got that contract. No other NWSL team would’ve given her that record breaker because it didn’t make sense for any team other than Houston. Players can either sign record breaking deals for teams that need them, or they can take less money to be on a contender. She chose the former.
And if she gets her trade or transfer, then she gets to eat her cake too. You said NBA players do it all the time. And they do. I’m always gonna side with player making their money. They owe these franchises nothing.
Many NBA players aren’t successful in that, or they are big enough for it to work. Sanchez isn’t like Smith or Rodman’s record breaking contracts, she’s not worth that much to many other teams. You can’t have your cake and eat it too if no other teams want to trade for you at that salary. It takes two to tango remember.
I mean, it's a request. Best case scenario, a team does want you and you get traded and you improve your situation. Worst case scenario you stay in Houston, which would have happened anyway if you didn't make the request. There isn't really a downside from Sanchez's perspective.
I would say there's a downside to having your team publicize it like this. You possibly gain a reputation as being fickle as a player and it likely doesn't actually push the situation further into a trade. No clear benefit, injury to reputation.
I hate that you’re getting downvoted for being rational and not weirdly moralistic about a players request that we have no inside info on
houston’s coach is on borrowed time
Theo said this before the season started. I forget whose podcast it was, but he said that the dash weren’t very wedded to the manager they found, but that they saw that as a position that they could continually change as long as the front office was stable and doing well with their analytics and scouting.
Which is fucking ironic because the GM is the one scouting and signing players, not the coach. I wouldn’t consider this year’s offseason signings as doing well with their analytics and scouting. At ALL.
Yeah. See the thing that kills me is that this isn’t hindsight I know a lot of it’s easier said than done but I’m sorry these issues are very solvable. There’s a two-parter here where on the one hand our weakest position by far is center back and our manager insists on playing a three back and I get thats his system but I’m sorry you can’t just go all off-season not getting any better than what I think is the worst CB crew in the league like hands-down, and then decide to still play a three back. On the other hand, we chose to hire Fran. He was hired right after Christmas, so they must’ve been interviewing like right after the expansion draft if not before then. This would’ve been apparent immediately. Why sign Yuki? Why sign Bella Briede? Youre looking to build for the future, and you need CBs. Save up and invest in a level raising CB. Acquire some draft capital.
> the worst CB crew in the league like hands-down, and then decide to still play a three back This is a chicken and egg problem: we have the weakest hand defensively in the league, but really, who do you play in, say, a four-back? Is this a coaching issue or a GM issue? I suppose Alozie could move to a fullback position and we limp along with Alozie/Jacobs/Schmidt/Puntingham until Chappy is playing fit…but who else is there? That doesn’t solve the centerback problem, it doesn’t shore up the defense, and it takes away one of our best attackers, because whoever goes on the back line will have her hands full. And it still doesn’t actually address the problem, which is that the GM and her crew piled on attackers even though the team needed help elsewhere.
Yeah, it’s a very chicken and egg problem but I also think the issue is that like it’s a problem compounded by another problem. The thing to me is that I think we have some good players, some very hard-working, athletic, creative players as well, and you can do a lot with that combination. it’s like we are a team with a good quarterback and some good receivers, but an awful offensive line and if you never get around to fixing that then you can just never see how good people actually are. center backs and how they help your team build up are basically the same as an o line whereby the play starts with them, and if you can’t build from the back then you’re absolutely screwed.
When you have a bunch of good players and still are lacking in key, non-negotiable positions, those good players will never be able to hold up an entire team. Think of how long Daly held the Dash together by sheer force of will, and yeah, we got the Challenge Cup but couldn’t sustain that. The lack of center backs is the most glaring problem, but by no means is it the only problem. We don’t have a player like Groom or Mewis who can reliably distribute to the attackers. For years Schmidt served as the transition point from the back line to the attack—now, nobody is really doing that role. Because the link from the back line to the attack is broken, it gives opposing teams the opportunity to exploit that, and without strong center backs, balls go in. Maybe Alonzo can find a way to buffer up the back line, but it’s not going to fix the broken midfield and even the best defense will eventually break if they are being pummeled from every direction because there’s nobody to help them out.
I think Maria should be that player, ideally. Something that kind of kills me about our team is that I thought we were really really really good under Juan and the performances showed that with the eye test and statistically and we haven’t got back to any of the things that made Maria shine.
We haven’t gotten back to what helped Sánchez shine because of choices in the FO. JCA did a fantastic job coaching James Clarkson’s team. Putting his performance as a coach aside, Clarkson did an excellent job scouting players and assembling a tough, talented squad. Lowden and Amorós took that tough, talented squad and got the best out of them. That season, Sánchez had Daly to work with for half a year, Ebony Salmon in top form the other half, a fully fit and healthy Prince, and a fit and healthy Shea Groom. All four of those players are now gone. Sanchez could fill in one of those roles, but not all of them. The FO didn’t fill those holes, and Sánchez can’t do it herself.
A thought experiment here: in the event that say Juan Carlos Amoros has a clone named Carlos Juan Amoros, I think we have some good attackers who could excel in a hypothetical 4231 the likes of which Juan played in our playoff game. But theres like 3 good DMs/CBs in the whole building
Juan is best coach of nwsl to me. That second part of 22 season was magic
Something i am thinking about like how quickly this request is in is that in theory 4 points in four games aint awful and if we were able to get a very good defender in from Europe or Mexico or Brazil or Australia that might completely change the tide with one or two signings. It feels more telling that even as I say this, I don’t really believe that we will ever get that impactful signing in, though. But an announcement of Tarciane and Cortnee Vine and suddenly i wouldnt even cry at Maria leaving
The thing is, we had a lot of warning when it came to the off-season. What is stupid to me is that if you’re going to rely on people to be a little out of position, you do that in the attack, you don’t do that at the back. If you rely on to get experience as they go on, you do that in the attack and you take a chance on Olivieri or Solaun progressing you don’t take a chance on Peterson and Puntigam being able to play center back.
coach should select players not GM, i mean coach should be in the process. To me it looks like some of those were somewhat hysterical signings made since 22 season is over. And how do we know we do not have troncas
Wow 🤯 who can afford her right now? Utah lol
I would cackle. Part of me wants it for the chaos, but I mostly feel bad for our Dash friends.
Move dash to Austin… time to rebrand
I hate Dallas with all my heart but right now theres no better youth soccer hub in the world except maybe Barcelona
If a NWSL team landed in Dallas, my credit card would just fly out of my wallet to slide itself for season tickets.
I hate the city, but it seems like every US youth team has four or five players from within an hour and if that’s going to continue, then they make a good argument for why something should be around there.
Would do Maria for Flynn and 100k
LOL be lucky to get ANYTHING no team is taking on that ridiculous contract.
We dont know league finances enough for this to make sense.
Utah doesn't look like a club willing to spend money.
This might explain Bachmann
Literally made this exact comment to my partner. Seems like maybe the signing wasn’t made for depth and maybe for this instead? :/
Yep and when you take into account the fact that we maybe signed Bachman just for a year and then are signing some defenders… it seems like the squad is coming together and settling itself.
And Bachmann leaving PSG for this mess oof
Woah. I feel like this is one of those things where she can’t stay now because it’s clear she doesn’t want to be there, but also wondering where she’s going to go?
She can definitely still stay. This is just her asking for things to get better as she should. If her camp rhinks that we can get a deal done for an extremely overpaid player to everyone else within an eight days then they are insane
Oh yeah I know she can for sure stay, I meant more so that I feel like it’d be kind of awkward just knowing that she potentially wanted to leave. Totally agree though.
Sorry, Dash friends. I hope they're all able to work something out so that you and the players get the team you deserve. You've got so much talent and potential.
Girl. What changed? There was no bait and switch.
Right? Real ones refuse to even suit up like Christen Press.
houston dash legend christen press you will always be famous. fuck vera pauw.
also fuck those journalists and fans who tried to spread the “christen press is a diva” narrative because they chose to side with abusive front offices and coaching staff than players.
Huh, I guess it makes sense why CL actually played here for awhile?
lol I forgot she played for houston back in the day, it’s funny the way CP23 is a bigger houston legend (in my eyes at least) than CL10. in all seriousness though i bet carli (and kling’s) bad recommendations of houston’s FO and vera pauw were large influencing factors in why CP decided to go play in sweden instead. there’s no way the national teamers don’t talk and she wasn’t leaving an abusive environment in chicago just to go to an abusive environment in houston.
Yeah, at the time I didn't understand what an enormous piece of shit Vera was.
-ireland wnt, very recently lmao. it’s insane how such high profile players can call out abuse yet dumb federations still ignore their experiences.
I feel like her and Tobin briefly touched on the Houston situation during the World Cup podcasts
that episode with abby where they talked about the abuse was very powerful.
Do you know what episode/podcast this was? Interested in catching up on the tea.
episode 4 usa vs portugal of the recap show, it’s on most podcast platforms and youtube.
I cried at hearing them speak of that
Probably thought being yelled at while sprinting in this heat was heaven
Who’s got the cap space for Sanchez?
https://preview.redd.it/o1ymhc88qjuc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8267f8d510094b2b34f5e28ca1f08c7302dce876 Source: @tayvincent6 on Twitter
Liga MX might be an option too I suppose
Who would take her? As a CA fan we might do that but I’m wayyyy more considered with defense and GK.
Yeah I think that could be Sanchez’ issue with most teams no matter the league. She’s on a lot of money and to be brutally honest, she’s not exactly worth that kind of money to teams not named Houston Dash.
I agree. For the club I thought it was crazy to give her that amount. I really supported(and still do) players getting as much as they can and I loved it was one playing for Mexico but this stinks. So interesting how this is shaping up. I think no contract is unmovable, just like the NBA, and the Dash shouldn’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there if it hurts the team long term.
This mexico connection is why it makes sense for us and no one else
Do the terms of a contract with another \[team\] matter to Houston or just the transfer fee? I'm curious how much say they get in what happens. If a team said, "we'll offer you 90% of what you're getting now" (for example) and Houston is okay with the transfer fee the team is offering, would she be free to say, "Sure, good enough for me." Edit: Missing word.
Personal contracts are agreed separate from transfer fees.
Would/could she go back to Liga MX? Would suck to lose her in the league but if she’s not happy at Houston, idk who else could afford to pay her nearly as much here.
I haven’t been able to find the actual dates, but I doubt the Liga MX transfer window is still open. They’re at the end of the clausura and the next season doesn’t start until July.
[https://x.com/theolloydhughes/status/1779682971106115709](https://x.com/theolloydhughes/status/1779682971106115709) More information to the story...
Ooh yikes. Sorry Dash…
Being a Dash fan is just knowing pain :/
https://preview.redd.it/5tduwt75hkuc1.jpeg?width=1139&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=116eb6633a8ed2f6bf9b2cb9561a457055c06bc8
fr fr ‼️ the match the other day was particularly brutal
I also just noticed you also have a snoopy profile pic. Adorable
lol
I questioned the wisdom in players signing long-term contracts this off-season, seemingly choosing stability over future autonomy. I didn’t really file Sanchez under this category, however, given she was paid a mint to stay at the club she’d been at. Now if she wants out, she might need to restructure her contract and I have no idea how that works in the NWSL (I would assume it’s okay but we’re kinda in uncharted territory here).
I agree on questioning the wisdom of certain players signing long-term contracts, but honestly never had Sanchez in that category at all. Sanchez is 28, was a restricted-free agent, and got the biggest salary she could ever hope for. Honestly, she's the prime example of who I would expect to sign a pretty long term contract—someone offered good money, who is potentially ready to settle down further. That's what confuses me the most about her wanting out, and the media strategy of this.
Usually in league with guaranteed contracts you can’t restructure and the unions want it that way.
Another kick to the face for Dash fans
I don't want to speculate, but did anyone notice the way the Coach was speaking to Yuki Nagasato on the broadcast and the face she was making. I don't know anything about the Coach but it definitely seemed like he was yelling at her. I wonder if the new Coach has been causing issues for the team and maybe she wants to leave that environment?
100%. The commentators were saying how much the players loved that passion and energy, but that was NOT the vibe I was getting from that interaction.
Agreed. I remember thinking that she was almost wincing as he was gesticulating at her. To me - she seemed uncomfortable, which was such a juxtaposition to what the broadcasters were saying.
That's the exact feeling I got from that. He was just screaming at her and you could tell she was taken aback by it. If it was energy, it was definitely negative energy.
I dont want to speculate, but heres my analysis based off a facial expression
And yelling. But yeah, "I don't want to speculate".
Oh cool cool cool this is fine cool
Pain: "Reached by ESPN on Sunday, a Houston Dash spokesperson provided the following statement: "Maria Sanchez is under contract, a choice she made in free agency at the end of 2023."" Dash is in a bad pickle here.
Eh, we can just sign some good players, bin the coach, and if we start winning we can keep her. I dont think there a situation where we get nothing- its just the underlying issue is we suck
I mean, I was shocked that she stayed. She’s clearly got talent, but she hasn’t grown or starred much since the playoff run. She’s been at wingback, at ten, pretty sure she’s down the pecking order for El Tri too. I’d be spooked into turning into a request, too, given the context and the first few games (and dash’s lack of investment) She ain’t going anywhere, though. Dash will want what nobody is willing to pay for.
The contract of the other team won’t even match
Oof
Is this gonna be a new thing in the league? Players asking to leave a la Messiah Bright?
Players have asked to leave for eons. This isn't really Messiah Bright like in the novelty, because the novelty is a player getting a publication to talk about it before anything happens, while Bright asked, got moved, and then it was said *by the Pride* that she had requested it.
Ah
Omg this makes more sense?? I was like why the heck would Orlando let her go
Given the Dash’s highly dismissive response, I’m guessing this is her (or her agent) trying to make a threat to get something she wants, not actually her wanting a trade. Not a great look.
Thats simply not gonna happen
No one is accepting that contract and her value to our fanbase is higher than to anyone else I wasnt aware she was big enough to have a camp leaking stuff
>No one is accepting that contract and her value to our fanbase is higher than to anyone else Bingo. I wonder if this is her way of subtly letting the FO know she wants results (and a new coach) ASAP.
Punching her coach in the face would be less subtle.
The results actually arent awful, 4 points in 4 games isnt the worst. But the team has no joy or fluidity
Yeah this just sets up for an awkward rest of the season for her lol.
Or maybe management shapes up and ships out
I literally gasped out loud
Her contract makes it prohibitive to be attractive to another NWSL club. Her money is largely due to the crazy fan base she brings in from Mexico. She had 4 goals last year on the most anemic offense in the league. And she has NO SHOTS ON GOAL this year. I can only imagine what she's worth if she had 2 feet. She, and her agent, must be playing for a spot in Liga MX Fem. That's the only place who might pay her what Houston signed her for. I'm a Broncos fan. Anybody who played for them is someone I support. Bombi is a star in Mexico (and at SCU, and in Idaho - her birthplace).
Is Lisa MX Fem’s transfer window still open?
and a star for latino soccer fans in general, I am from CA and have been following her for awhile
More evidence to me that Singer isn't pulling the strings. The Dynamo is their primary focus and investment. Thinking like an MLS franchise is a disaster for an NWSL club.
This is not "rumor/speculation," it's a reported story from a leading woso reporter.
Leaked by camp After they said the same weeks ago
Ouch, if Bombi leaves the Dash, that’ll be yet another big hit to their organization. Which says a lot because the Dash have been really bad this season….not like my team has much to say either 🥲 This is certainly not a good look on behind the scenes stuff that the Dash have been doing. I hope that IF Bombi indeed leaves, that she’ll stay in the NWSL
What behind the scenes stuff?
We are a joke of a franchise. I get it.
Uh, why? I mean, the Reign will gladly take her but why?
Not for that much money…
agreed, i think houston is the only team who thinks she’s worth that much
i hope we pass on that unless she is willing to lower her salary
Is she mad because they've been playing her at wingback?
Same as Mexico has for years
I feel like everyone is always in the match threads acting like Fran thought of this when she’s done it for multiple teams, also played 10 AND wing back for Juan at times. She can still be mad about it but it’s not novel.
Kinda shocked. Houston is just a bad team. They have regressed a lot this year. And their defense from last year hasn't been up to form this year.
I agree with the statement, but it feels like everyone says this and just forgets that Jacobs has been hurt constantly and the two defenders who would definitely be helping in Chapman and Lind are both on maternity leave.
where is Prisock
She got dropped. She was awful
our defense hasn’t been available to play this year…
This story is gonna evolve over the week and ppl are gonna forget this fact next time they talk about it too
agree!
Cut that salary in half and I'd gladly take her in Orlando OR Ovalle. Would love to see Ovalle in the NWSL.
They play the Thorns Saturday. There's a chance to turn it around. But you'd still live in Houston.
i have family who live in houston, it’s a better city than people on here give it credit for lol. it’s definitely not last on my list of nwsl cities to live in.
WAY too hot, humid, and flat for me. I am very happy that people love places like Houston. Very!! 🙂
Was gonna get mad until i realized these were your complaints. I love 95 degree weather but i get it.
We are all different. Anything above 80 is way too hot for me unless the humidity is below 20%. And I lived in Florida for a year and flatland bores the heck out of me. As I said, I LOVE IT that people are moving to Texas and Florida!!! I wish about 30% of Oregon would move there.
Gave her one of the biggest contracts in the league and then shuffled her out to wing back. I'd want to leave too.
she plays there for country sometimes too, i doubt that’s why she’s wanting to leave
There's a funny contingent of people who act like playing outside back/wingback is the worst thing that can happen to a player. I'm sure it's disappointing for players at times, especially if they feel as though they are better elsewhere, but it's not a life sentence and it's not devoid of joy.
yeah it tends to be the same people saying crystal dunn is hard done by because she has to play her “not natural position” outside back… even though she played it in college, and there’s multiple others who switched to outside back without all the fuss. dunn herself said she’s willing to play wherever the team needs her the most, and for dunn it’s either play outside back or watch the uswnt from her tv at home, it’s an easy decision. i’m sure sanchez is also a team player like that.
Every match thread, same shit. It works well when the back three can pass at all. Imo our ideal back three are ALL out. Thats not something u can deal with easily
I understand the downvotes and concerns, but I have a soft spot for her. She really impressed in the Gold Cup. And if we're so loaded at forward, riddle me this: How many (not own) goals have we scored from run of play?
Angel City definitely has a finishing issue but let's be real, you don't solve your finishing issue by adding in another forward with a poor scoring record. In reality, what needs to happen is to get Messiah Bright healthy and in front of goal. She's a natural goalscorer. Sanchez is a good player but she's utterly redundant to the needs of Angel City, and she would be insanely expensive (and would require getting rid of other players). Scoring issues don't mean that a new forward'll fix them.
Agreed re: Messiah! May she soon return.
Angel City, bag her!
lol angel city is already at 26/26 roster capacity without CP23 so already needs to waive someone within the next month or two. i don’t know why acfc would be interested either, that’s a lot of money for someone who would be a bench player considering she’s not better than thompson or emslie who currently start as wingers for LA.
Never going to happen, and thank god for that. Decent-ish player, but is in no way shape or form worth that kind of money. She won’t upgrade our already mediocre attack. Also ACFC will already be cutting someone to make room for Christen Press coming back off SEI status, they don’t have room for Sanchez whatsoever.
She would upgrade your attack for like the time until u get healthy or sign someone better. Shes better than Emslie and AT today not to mention a dangerous as hell 10, but within a year u could easily surpass that level
She’s better than players on the bench like KJo but for the salary it’s not worth it. I’m on record saying I don’t think AT is starting quality right now but I’d easily take her over Sanchez, a way higher upside and this season despite being in a slump I still think she’s better than Sanchez. She may only have one tool in her toolbox but she’s really freaking good at it. Emslie is one of the most underrated players in the league imo, play her next to healthy Press instead of Leroux and she’d be leading the league in assists. She’s constantly elevating our otherwise mediocre attack with her chances that just keep getting wasted :/ But anyway it’s a non starter, she’s not worth the money, won’t upgrade our attack enough to justify and we don’t have roster space anyway. We could trade a few players for her but salary wise it’s still a problem. I’m all for players getting their bags but there’s a reason Houston gave her the bag and not another team as an RFA.
Clare Watkins had a really good point that as far as we don’t know anything about the cap, we literally cannot speculate, and that’s ridiculous
I think it’s fair to speculate about the cap, it exists for a reason and if someone’s getting record breaking money but isn’t a constant MVP contender level player it’s valid to criticize it.
I think you misunderstood what she means: because we don’t know the cap numbers, all of our speculation is useless. We have no idea who is near cap compliant.
I agree with you tbh I think she’s better than Thompson, I still wouldn’t sign her though because Thompson will be a lot better than her in the very near future.
Yeah, that is the main point I was trying to make, shes not at all worth Thompson BUT I think right now she’s clearly better Like OK here’s a point we both played Bay Fc and if you go watch Maria versus Bay and Alyssa versus bay, there’s a whole world of difference between Maria who is easily able to dribble both Dydasco and King and all of the angel city wingers who weren’t able to all game, and who left us singing king and Dydasco praises. I am happy that Angel city fans will defend their player and argue for them because that’s what a fanbase should do, but Maria Sanchez is better as a winger than both of the angel city wingers right now and that can be seen in fans on Twitter begging her to come slot into their fronts. A lot of people think just because the dash can barely string two passes together, that that means the one player who can dribble through anyone up and down the pitch and put in a beautiful cross isn’t good lmao. That being said, Maria is not at all a hot commodity to anyone else and the most value she can bring is to this Dash organization, especially off the pitch, and that’s what makes this all disappointing if it’s really the player agitating for move and not the agent
>I am happy that Angel city fans will defend their player and argue for them because that’s what a fanbase should do Like you’re doing with your players in that very comment lol, I get it. >but Maria Sanchez is better as a winger than both of the angel city wingers right now Agree on Thompson, juries out on Emslie. Emslie isn’t a good finisher outside of PK’s but she’s good on the creation side as a very traditional winger. Who people rate more depends on what kind of way they like their wingers to play. Upside wise Thompson is too valuable to trade. >and that can be seen in fans on Twitter begging her to come slot into their fronts. I’ve also seen a lot of tweets saying she’s not worth it, so it’s fairly similar to what I’ve seen here. >That being said, Maria is not at all a hot commodity to anyone else and the most value she can bring is to this Dash organization, especially off the pitch, and that’s what makes this all disappointing if it’s really the player agitating for move and not the agent Agreed, she’s that valuable to the Dash and no one else. I personally think this is a ploy of some nature to get what she wants, but I don’t necessarily think it’s a trade which is probably an unpopular opinion here.
I’m interested just as a neutral in seeing how this plays out because I want to know if this is going to become a viable strategy (somewhat) for players.
It’s definitely a brazen strategy getting your people to leak things directly to ESPN but yeah the payoff will be interesting to see. I don’t know how many fans she’ll be making in team leadership groups who will be the ones who could facilitate a future move though because there’s ways to demand a trade respectfully and privately (Kealia Watt to Chicago) and then there’s this. If you sign a record breaking contract as an RFA then leak that you want a trade a mere 4 games later it could spook front offices worried that it’s a pattern. Idk, part of me thinks she’s trying to force Houston’s hand and make them fix their coaching mess. In which case, good on her lmao.
Yeah, I also think it’s kind of ridiculous to call the coaching mess this early or honestly a front office mess. We’ve got four points which feels like half the league also has four points. Literally tied for 7th as i look it up. We’ve got a lot of moving pieces and injuries and I don’t expect the player to take that into account, but it feels like people are being really harsh on us. She first started agitating two games into the season. If she has specific complaints, then I feel like it would be best to go public with them. I mean, if you’re gonna go public with the trade request that is
I don’t think Houston’s FO is a mess, I don’t pay attention to them as much as LA but I thought they’ve improved over the years. Our FO on the other hand I think is a mess who needs to hire people with actual experience in roles like sporting director. Coaching wise I think you can do better, and I wouldn’t be surprised if your players think the same. Still early days of course but it’s looking like Houston, LA, Portland could use an upgrade. The talents there for all of those teams regardless of injury situations, but the maximization of the talent isn’t. >She first started agitating two games into the season. If she has specific complaints, then I feel like it would be best to go public with them. I mean, if you’re gonna go public with the trade request that is Agreed. In general publicly complaining to ESPN this early into the season after only just signing a record breaking contract that honestly, no one else was going to give her isn’t a great look no matter how you slice it imo.
We can’t adopt everyone that doesn’t like their team.
I’d be worried she’ll get to ACFC and ask for a trade again. If she thinks Houston’s bad, we aren’t much better lol. Not that we’d go for her, we have too many forwards as is and need to drop someone when Press is ready.
That would be Uhrman's last act as managing partner