I can't hide the fact that I have a soft spot for the Ottawa Fury. It's a first class organization that is going about building a true football club in the right way.
And, a true football club includes a women's side.
The Ottawa Fury women have been one of Canada's most successful clubs over the past few years. Based on recent signings, it appears that they will once again be near the top of the W-League again.
The centre piece to the team is Canadian international Kadeisha Buchanan. Ashley Lawrence is another player that Canadian women's fans will be familiar with. However, the true WoSo fan will recognize a great deal of the names that will be part of the Fury this year.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
Goalkeepers: Jillian McVicker, Maryse Bard-Martel
Defenders: Shelina Zadorsky, Kadeisha Buchanan, Arin GIlliland, Danielle Hubka, Maggie
Malone, Annie Steinlage, Emma Donnelly, Meaghan Ramsden
Midfielders: Lisa-Marie Woods, Teresa Rynier, Lydia Hastings, Laura Stockdale, Cournety Raetzman, Jessie Bujouves, Kayla Adamek, Ronnie Mazzella,
Forwards: Christabel Oduro, Kristy Moore, Ashley Lawrence, Bryanna McCarthy, Lauren Hughes, Arielle Kabangu, Sydney Braun-McLeod
With the FIFA U-20s in the country later this year there is no excuse not to get out and support the Fury, or your local team. Check the USL website for the schedule most relevant to you.
As stated, Ottawa deserves full credit for always supporting the women's side of the game. It's important to remember that the women's program long outdates the men's side.
So, can we expect a move up in level by the Fury in the future? Provided the NWSL survives, would Ottawa not be the perfect location for Canada's first (or Eastern) team?
The folks in Ottawa agree. CSN has reported several times that the Fury was one of the rejected clubs when the league launched last year. Those making the call felt Ottawa wasn't a large enough market.
The CSA isn't completely convinced in the NWSL as its decision to keep its players away at the start of the 2015 season suggests. However, if the league does thrive it's imperative that Canadian teams eventually are included.
No team more deserves that bump up than the Fury. Ottawa fans should continue to get out and show the NWSL was wrong to bypass the Fury.
This post was made during the site's 48-hour blogging marathon. We are attempting to raise funds to keep the site running through to the end of 2015 (and hopefully beyond).
We are 25 percent of the way to our goal of $2,400.
There are four ways to donate.
1) You can send an EMT to CSNDonation@gmail.com
2) You can make a PayPal donation to dgrollins@gmail.com
3) You can make a cash donation to me in person (I will be at BMO Field on Wednesday -- email me for my phone number to arrange a meet up)
4) You can mail me a cheque. Email me at DuaneGRollins@gmail.com for address.
Thanks to all that have contributed so far and thanks to those who are considering a contribution.