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Women's Soccer: Washington Freedom
With Brian Straus
Post Sports Writer
Thursday, April 24 2003; 1 p.m. ET

Can the Washington Freedom keep their 3-0 streak alive? How has the sudden retirement of two-year Freedom veteran Monica Gerardo affected the team? How is the WUSA doing financially? How is Mia Hamm and how is she juggling team practices with the upcoming Women's World Cup?

Sports reporter Brian Straus was online to discuss the Washington Freedom.

The transcript follows.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

Brian Straus: Hello everyone. This is Brian, and I'm in the fabulous, futuristic headquarters of washingtonpost.com. I'll be answering your questions in comfort.

Boise, Idaho: What is your opinion on Abby Wambach making the USWNT on a regular basis? April seems to call her into camp all the time but doesn't name her to the final roster. Is Abby on the bubble or are we simply not seeing things that Heinrichs is seeing? What areas of Abby's game need to be improved upon so that she is named to the final roster all the time?

Brian Straus: I'm sure Abby would love to know the answers to those questions.

Her fitness and two-way way play have improved dramatically over the past year, which has earned her a spot on April's short list. She also scored 5 times in 7 games for the U.S. last year. However, Cindy Parlow seems to be the incumbent target forward, and April is excited about the under-19 team grads. Abby is def. on the bubble for China, or wherever the WWC is going to be.

Falls Church, Va.: Do you think the Freedom could make more of a profit at a different venue? Do you believe that there could be a better marketing campaign? I love the game of soccer and I want the league to survive, yet I hardly hear about the games.

Brian Straus: There is no other realistic venue right now - you'll have to hope the league survive's long enough for a new stadium to be built in D.C. They do as much marketing as they can with a limited budget. What else do you need to hear other than date and time?

Greenbelt, Md.: What do you think of Gabarra's strategy of putting the world's leading goalscorer in the midfield?

Brian Straus: It may not be ideal, but Gabarra needs to make sure he's got his best 11 on the field. They need an attacking presence in midfield, and Mia may be the answer until Golebiowski settles in or Bai Jie returns.

Boise, Idaho: It's obvious that RFK is too big of a stadium for the Freedom to be playing in outside of doubleheaders. If the Freedom were to look for a smaller home what alternatives are there?

Brian Straus: Hope Phil Anschutz pays for a new stadium.

Section 139: What do you make of the low attendance figures thus far this year? Seven thousand three hundred for the Freedom's home opener is a lot lower a number than it could or should be, especially in a town as passionate about soccer as D.C.

Brian Straus: There's only been one game so far, and the crowd of about 7,500 (don't remember exactly) was consistent with what they drew last year. I'm not sure why more soccer players and fans in D.C. don't come to games.

Fairfax, Va.: Brian, you are the best! How much of an impact will Monica Geraldo's retirement have on the team?

Brian Straus: Thanks! It won't have too much of a long-term impact, but it may give Gabarra a few things to think about over the next couple of months. Gerardo seems to be genuinely excited about her new career.

Philadelphia, Pa.: Brian,

What is it going to take to really get the new soccer stadium going? How much importance do you place on John Hendricks offering to put forth money for it?

Brian Straus: I think the whole baseball thing is going to have to be sorted out before Anschutz, Hendricks, Barra Brava and the SEC can really sit down and hammer something out. I think Hendricks' contribution is going to depend on the health/survival of the WUSA.

Whatever they build, it won't be as cool as the Palestra.

Dupont, D.C.: Hey Brian -- The Freedom get the most fans when they have double headers with DC United. Why don't other cities create the same partnerships to bring in more fans?

Brian Straus: There was a DH in San Jose last weekend, and Boston has done one or two at Gillette, or CMGI, or whatever the new stadium is called. New York is the only other market that has both leagues, and East Rutherford is pretty far from Uniondale. The Power have more pressing problems, anyway.

Washington, D.C.: Monica Gerardo's absence has been mentioned a couple of times, but I think Bai Jie is much more of a loss (no offense to Mo). What do you think? And is there any chance of getting her this year?

Brian Straus: Bai Jie was a projected starter, so her loss certainly is significant. The chance of getting her this year seems to be dwindling, between the war, SARS, the World Cup, and all the bureaucracy (did i spell that right) that seems to be attached.

The Freedom are already looking for a European replacement.

Adelphi, Md.: I know there are plenty of people out there who want to see the WUSA die, but I get the feeling that there are more who don't. Note the new U.S. Soccer Foundation ad boards alongside the Gillette, Mickey D's and Coke ads at WUSA games this season: the USSF is kicking in funds.

And, if I recall correctly, FIFA itself made funds available to guarantee a certain WUSA roster size.

If WUSA folds, is that not an indictment of these governing bodies, more than what is alleged to have happened in the negotiating rooms or within the finance office?

Brian Straus: I'm not sure who wants to see the WUSA die, but if it does I think it'll be a combination of some poor economic decisions at its foundation, poor attendance and TV ratings and a sagging economy thats forcing corporations to think twice about tossing their money at women's pro soccer. I wouldn't blame the USSF or FIFA.

Boise, Idaho: What is your opinion on the way the league has marketed itself to the public? There are some grumblings out there that the league is too youth/family-centric and is not going out of their way to attract the hardcore soccer fans.

Brian Straus: I don't think there's been any question since day 1 that youth and families were the league's target. Do you remember the Women's World Cup? "Hardcore soccer fans" is not the image that comes to mind. I'm sure the league won't turn them away, though.

Perhaps the WUSA can expand to Boise.

Kensington, Md.: Has the club vs. country debate been raised at all in WUSA? Is there any contention with Freedom officials that Hamm should be playing for Freedom this weekend, not in a friendly? (I think she should be playing club, both to benefit Freedom and to allow national team to try new things.)

And what's the latest you've heard about possible postponement/cancelation/relocation of Women's World Cup?

Thanks.

Brian Straus: Club v. Country came up yesterday when Canada replaced Nigeria in Sat's game. The Atlanta GM was not thrilled about dealing with call-ups to Hooper and Nonen.

For the most part, the clubs are understanding about April's needs. Certainly no one on the Freedom would begrudge Mia the chance to prepare for her last WWC.

FIFA is scheduled to meet May 3 to address the WWC and China. It doesn't look good right now - Australia already has offered to host.

Washington, D.C.: Is there an international player not in the WUSA whom you think should be?

Brian Straus: many think sweden's hanna ljungberg is the best player in the world not in the WUSA. i think san diego tried to get her, but she said no.

Potomac, Md.: What do you think of the team this year?
How have the trades, waives, and retirements helped the freedom this year? Which players would you have kept on the team? Last year, were you happy with the Freedom's performance? If not please explain why.
Thanks!

Brian Straus: wow.

the freedom has not played that well the past two games and is pretty fortunate to be 3-0. that being said, there don't appear to be any real weakness on the team, especially after the midfield gets sorted out.

the only offseason move that surprised me was the departure of erin fahey, but there were reasons for that that went beyond her playing ability.

Roanoke, Va.: Who's your favorite Freedom player to talk to?

Brian Straus: in all honesty, the whole group is usually pretty easy to talk to.

St. Louis, Mo.: Soccer is so popular here among girls through college. Why doesn't this market suppport a women's professsional team?

Brian Straus: Washington is doing a better job than some other cities in the league.

Washington, D.C.: Hi Brian,
With the sometimes unfair decisions letting players into an offside position, do you think it would be wise in the future to add offside detectors, like the machines they use in tennis to tell if a ball is over the line?

Brian Straus: that'd be nice, i get nailed for offside all the time.

i cant imagine how such a machine would work.

Springfield, Va.: The next day after most games when you go to look in the paper to read about the game theres almost nothing on the Freedom games. After the DC United game, which they tied, there was a whole page with full pictures and on the bottom was a little column on the Freedom game which they won. I've been a fan of women's soccer all my life and have been playing for almost 10 years, and when The Washington Post has one column with no pictures on a D.C. area team that is actually doing very well it raises the question -- what do women have to do so that they'll be considered athletes and have the same coverage as mens' games? With players as good as the Freedom have and the fact that they are in first place this season, and went to the WUSA championship game last year it makes you wonder why there's not more coverage of their games.

Brian Straus: Thanks for your interest in the coverage. Of the 3 games so far this year, we've covered two in person and used AP wire for the third (at San Jose). Certainly coverage improved last year when the team started doing well.

United draws very well and is going to get good coverage. If you'd like to see more Freedom coverage, let the sports editors know. They make those decisions.

Washington, D.C.: How long do you see Mia Hamm playing in the WUSA? And has she said that this is her last World Cup?

Brian Straus: This will be Mia's last world cup, although there's a good chance she'll give the olympics a shot next year.

Not sure about her WUSA plans.

Alexandria, Va.: Is there any public information on the number of season ticket holders compared to the attendence at games? I want to support the league and often can't make it to games -- my solution is to buy season tickets and go when I can or donate them/give them away when I can't attend. I'm curious about how the season ticket v. day of game sales are. That may also give some information about marketing (not a lot of day of game sales = people don't know about the games unless they have season tickets).

Brian Straus: I believe the Freedom have about 2,000 season ticket holders, so I guess you can subtract that no. from the total attendance.

Pay Disperity: With her endorsements, Mia Hamm must make many, many times what the other players on the Freedom earn. Any resentment about that among the lowly-paid players?

Brian Straus: Not that I can tell. I think the younger players understand that there wouldn't be a league without her.

Pay cuts: Publicly the league players are putting a brave face on their paycuts, but I wonder what the feeling in the lockerroom is?

Brian Straus: Who knows? I'm not allowed in there.

Boise, Idaho: What do you think of Gabarra's game plan so far with regards to using Mia Hamm on the left flank in the midfield? She doesn't seem to be very effective there.

How realistic is a soccer specific stadium near RFK now that John Hendricks has pledged to help finance it? What kind of time line are we looking at?

Brian Straus: Like I said, Jim's trying to get his best 11 on the field. She's played all right so far. It may be a short-term solution.

I think we'll have to wait to see if the Puerto Rico Expos are coming to town before we know more about a stadium.

Washington, D.C.: Who's the Freedom player most deserving of a national team call-up who hasn't been already?

Brian Straus: Jen Grubb.

Arlington, Va.: Hi Brian, I really enjoy reading your articles on the Freedom. Now that Mia Hamm has fully recovered from her knee injury, do you think we can expect a superstar performance from her this season?

Brian Straus: Well, thank you. I enjoyed reading your question.

Mia's started off well, three goals and three wins in three games. She'll do fine as long as she doesn't overexert herself.

Boise, Idaho: Before the 2003 season began, there were reports that the league was courting a Chinese billionaire by the name of Xu Ming (I think that was his name). Do you know what the status of this situation is now?

Brian Straus: Idaho loves the WUSA!

Haven't heard anything about that in a couple of months. Sorry.

Washington, D.C.: Do you really think Women's soccer can appeal to the more serious men's fan base? The quality of play really is so much worse than the men's professional level. As a former NCAA division I player, I am sure that any Division III men's college team would beat the Washington Freedom -- possibly even a good High School Men's team. It's a good thing for families that have girls that play the game, but I just can't see the league reaching a serious level of interest.

Brian Straus: Good question. I wouldn't say the quality of play is worse (did you see the United-Fire game on Saturday?) but it is different. I've learned a lot about the women's game over the past three years and there a couple of things I've come to enjoy about it. There isn't as much running, the pace is more deliberate, and that allows things like team shape, positioning and tactics to come through a bit more. If you enjoy the mental side of the game and studying the way teams play, women's soccer can be fun to watch.

And a good goal is a good goal.

Greenbelt, Md.: Who do you think's going to win the Founder's Cup this year?

Brian Straus: Atlanta, Philly and the Freedom seem to be the best bets so far.

Washington, D.C.: What cities are in the running for expansion teams? How many are they thinking of adding next year, if any?

Brian Straus: First they have to make sure there is a next year.

Who are the Sports Editors?: And how do we let them know that we want more coverage of the Freedom?

Brian Straus: Emilio Garcia-Ruiz is our sports editor. He knows and likes soccer, which is great. You can write to him at
1150 15th St. NW
Washington DC 20071

Former Men's Player in Washinton, D.C.: Seriously,
Do you think a really good High School Men's team (State Champ level) could beat the Washington Freedom? How about a really good Under-17 men's club team? I want your honest opinion...

Brian Straus: Obviously, speed and size are an issue. What I'd love to see is the Freedom vs. a top boys team in indoor. Then we'd see touch and skill play a bigger role.

Arlington, Va.: I think you may have answered your own question about why the Freedom doesn't draw more fans. They market to families with small children. They don't really market to hardcore soccer fans. I consider myself to be a hardcore soccer fan and I can appreciate women's football better than a lot of my other male friends and soccer fanatics. I had season tickets for the Freedom year one, but have not returned since. Their insistence on turning the game into a sideshow for their circus of shooting souvenirs into the crowd during play, playing loud music during the game, and exhorting the fans to make noise when the play on the field really doesn't call for it all turned me off to the point where I couldn't enjoy the game at all. They ought to let the game stand for itself instead of turning every match into "an event" requiring a circus. I sent the Freedom management a letter spelling out all of my concerns in what I thought was a very even handed and helpful tone, yet I never got so much as a response from them. If they don't care about this fan, why should he care about their team?

Brian Straus: I think every American professional sport is that way now, including MLS. I go to a ton of games at RFK, and it doesn't really bother me. If it's good soccer, I can tune the other stuff out.

Rosslyn, Va.: How is Mia Hamm and how is she juggling team practices with the upcoming Women's World Cup?

Brian Straus: Mia's fine, fit and healthy. It'll be tougher in August.

Washington, D.C.: Brian, is it possible for Far Post to borrow a Freedom player this weekend?

Brian Straus: Maybe Abby and Mia can do triple duty - U.S. women, Freedom, Far Post.

The way I've been shooting lately, Lord knows we could use another finisher.

CCSL ROCKS: Brian:

Do you think dissent and diving are as much of a problem in WUSA as in some of the professional men's leagues?

Thanks, and see you Sunday.

Jesse Rosenthal

Brian Straus: Can you not be a ref for like two seconds?

I haven't heard anyone complain about dissent and diving in the WUSA.

See you.

Chino Hills, Calif.: Comment -- If they think throwing a t-shirt and some music outdoors is bad, they should attend hockey games inside or as you mentioned -- all sports are like that now. Watch a baseball game and listen to the background. Nonstop music. Tune it out and watch the game.

Brian Straus: I agree. Music at MCI center is deafening, noise at FedEx is nonstop. It's become our sports culture.

Rivertucky, Calif.: This whole womens soccer v mens soccer discussion is idiotic. Those are two different types of games. It's comparing apples to oranges. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Brian Straus: See my answer from a few minutes ago...

Tallahassee, Fla.: When will Golebioski be ready to start? My interest is in getting the best playmaking midfielder in there and allowing the true forwards to move up top. Is there a timetable for this or is it going to happen slowly?

Brian Straus: I'm going to bug Gabarra about it tomorrow - she may get a shot saturday since Mia is with the nats.

Washington, D.C.: Many of my male soccer playing friends and myself included want to see a mixed friendly between United and Freedom. This is the most interest they've expressed in watching the women play I've seen, though they are supportive of the league on principle. Could it happen or is it too dangerous for the women?

Brian Straus: It's not dangerous. It would just be silly.

New York, N.Y.: It seems to me that one of the real differences of WUSA compared to other pro leagues is the accessibility of the players. I've never seen pro athletes as open to fans, or as low-ego. That's certainly a big part of the "fan experience." Yet that aspect of the league doesn't get covered much. Any ideas about how to get the word out?

Brian Straus: That's a good question. It's tough to write stories about that sort of thing, even though it's a great way for the league to connect with its fans. A lot of Freedom players spend time doing events and working with kids.

Chino Hills, Calif.: What do you think about using the best forward in the world as a flank midfielder?

Why doesn't the Freedom build their team around their best player's strength instead of having her change to a system where she is wasted?

Brian Straus: I've answered this question a couple of times, but like I said, be patient. We're three games into the season.

Reston, Va.: Is there a women's W-League equivalent for indoor soccer? Ever been talk of one or at the preofessional level? What are the cost differences for such a league from an outdoor one? How's the men's one going financially?

Brian Straus: I haven't heard of a women's indoor league. Not sure what the cost differences are, either. I'm generally useless when it comes to indoor. Sorry.

New York, N.Y.: Brian,

It looks like FIFA is going to come to a decision about WWC '03 next Saturday (May 3). What do you think is the likely outcome? I've heard that Austalia and Sweden have offered to host the tournament. Seems like WUSA is really hoping to get a boost from the WWC, but the whole situaltion seems really messy, both politically and logistically. Any ideas which way the wind is blowing?

Brian Straus: FIFA has promised to talk May 3, they haven't promised a decision. It seems Australia is the best bet if they move it.

Arlington, Va.: What does the future of the league look like? Could it fold at the end of the season?

Brian Straus: It's possible.

College Park, Md.: I know that more than one reader will be asking questions regarding the outright hostilities between MLS and the WUSA, or the Women's National Team and the Men's National Team, or Julie Foudy and Alan Rothenberg, or between Sam's Army and the Pig-Tailed Hooligans.

Just how much of the talk about a diminished WUSA is gender politics?

Brian Straus: So far, you're the first!

Guess we'd put the European hooligans to shame with a brawl between Sam's Army and the PTH.

Arlington, Va.: Thankfully the guys who run DC United have not felt the need to create noise and other crap during the actual game play. I know some other MLS cities feel the need, but I think one of the reasons DCU draws as well as they do is that the fans are allowed to focus on the game when it's happening and the souvenir t-shirts and loud music are kept to pregame and halftime.

Brian Straus: Perhaps. I don't allow a t-shirt being tossed into the stands distract me from the game.

Gambrills, Md.: What player in the league gives the Freedom the most trouble? Which team is considered the Freedom's biggest rival?

Brian Straus: I never saw anyone tear up the Freedom like Philly's Kelly Smith did early last year. She tore her ACL but is back this season.

I think Atlanta has become the Freedom's biggest rival. That's just my opinion.

Greenbelt, Md.: How good do you think the Freedom are? Will they make the Founders Cup again?

Brian Straus: The Freedom are good enough to make it back. But injuries, one-game semifinals, etc. make things unpredictable.

Operation Kaos: So, any radio station out there want to give Team Canada a wake-up call on Saturday morning around, oh, say, 4 a.m.?

Brian Straus: Hello? Anyone?

Silver Spring, Md.: Did you see Bend It Like Beckham? What'd ya think and will it do anything for women's soccer?

Brian Straus: I did see it. Not sure if it'll do anything for the sport, but it was an enjoyable couple of hours.

Washington, D.C.: Is there some comment or observation about the team that you'd like to share that we just haven't specifically asked you about yet?

And thanks for all the good reporting -- keep up the good work.

Brian Straus: Think you all have covered anything.

Sincere thanks for everybody's interest today.

See you at RFK.

washingtonpost.com:

That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion.

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