It isn’t often that any of us here at Final Third Soccer share too many personal thoughts/write in the first person, but as the NWSL gets ready to kickoff its 6th season, we thought we would make an exception.
A few weeks ago, the NWSL sent out a survey to the teams’ front office staffs and the NWSL Media Association asking for both some predictions about the upcoming season, as well as some opinions in areas such as the most underrated player, biggest impact off the bench and player we would most like to see coach, just to name a few. Michelle and I both participated in the Media Association survey and wanted to share our picks (to the best of our memory) before the season kicked off. The overall results of both surveys can be found on the NWSL website (www.nwslsoccer.com), but here are our picks.
1. Who will win the NWSL Championship?
Michelle and I both said the North Carolina Courage
2. Which four teams will make the playoffs?
Michelle didn’t remember who she picked and I am only about 75% confident about my answers, but I think I picked Portland, North Carolina, Utah and Orlando, in that order.
3. Most Improved Team in 2018?
Michelle: Washington Spirit
Courtney: Orlando Pride
4. Best NWSL Coach?
Michelle: Either Vlatko or Laura Harvey
Courtney: Paul Riley
5. Who will be named MVP in 2018?
Michelle: Sam Kerr
Courtney: I’m pretty sure I picked Marta, though if not, then I picked Sam Kerr. Almost positive I went with Marta.
6. Golden Boot Winner?
Michelle: Crystal Dunn
Courtney: Iffy on this one too, again, I think I picked Marta.
7. Rookie of the Year?
Michelle: Savannah McCaskill
Courtney: Andi Sullivan
8. Who is the best GK in the NWSL?
We both were on the same page here and picked Adrianna Franch
9. Who is the best defender in the NWSL?
I think we both picked the same and went with Becky Sauerbrunn, Michelle definitely did, I am having a hard time remembering for sure, but can’t imagine I wouldn’t have said Sauerbrunn
10. Who is the best midfielder?
Neither one of us are positive who we picked here. Michelle thinks she maybe picked Jessica Fishlock and I think I picked Sam Mewis, so we will go with that.
11. Who is the best forward in the NWSL?
Michelle definitely said Sam Kerr, I think I did as well
12. Toughest player in the NWSL?
Michelle: McCall Zerboni
Courtney: I’m pretty sure I said Abby Dahlkemper here
13. Which player is the best leader?
Michelle: Becky Sauerbrunn
Courtney: I have no idea what I said here
14. Best international player?
Michelle: Sam Kerr
Courtney: I might have said Marta…or Sam Kerr. There were a few that were hard for me to pick between the two.
15. Most Underrated Player?
We both said Tori Huster
16. Sub that makes the most impact when entering a game?
Michelle: Jess McDonald
Courtney: No idea who I wrote but I would agree with McDonald for sure
17. Which active international would you like to see join the NWSL?
Michelle: Eugenie LeSommer
Courtney: Dzsenifer Marozsan
18. If you were starting a team and could sign any player in the NWSL?
Michelle: Pretty sure she said Sam Kerr
Courtney: Pretty sure I picked Marta
19. Which active player would you like to see become an NWSL head coach?
We both picked Becky Sauerbrunn
20. Which player would you like to see take a game winning PK in the NWSL Championship?
Michelle: Carli Lloyd
Courtney: I actually think I may have tossed it back to the 2011 WWC and picked Ali Krieger here.
So there you have it. Most of our predictions and thoughts regarding the 2018 NWSL season and our thoughts on some of the players in the league. Check back for more coverage when the 2018 NWSL season kicks off next weekend!
