The Wait Is Over

Counting Down The Days

Sunday's bachelorette festivities for Sam and Abby began at Hamburger Mary's for their Sunday drag brunch. The hosts made lots of fun of Sam for her being uptight, while the two Stephs gave Abby some good shtick over her being slightly embarrassed by one of the drag queens coming on to her. Kristie and Megan discussed among themselves the next place to visit and decided the Ameristar Casino sounded good. The group moved on and met Julie there following her brunching with her family. Alyssa and Julie plopped down at a pair of slot machines and collectively won around $150. Yael made a few bucks from her machine while Steph Labbe was winning big at blackjack. Sam and Abby were at a roulette table hoping that they would be lucky with their predicted due date of 4/23. After a few misses, the ball landed on 23, winning the pair $300. Dinner at the Casino was had at the Buffet, where Prime Rib and Shrimp was on the menu. Following dinner, the group checked into their suites at the casino's hotel and continued to fete the two brides.

***

In Philadelphia on Tuesday, head coach Erin Mcleod and general manager Erica Dambach met to begin planning for the upcoming off-season.

Erin: I know that we didn't really perform that well this season, but I hope that you'll give me a chance to work with you to build a roster that can do better in 2023.

Erica: You'll be given the chance to revamp the roster and put your system into play before I make any kind of a decision on your ability to lead the Charge.

Erin: Thanks, Erica. What is the news on Julie possibly not wanting to stay with us next year?

Erica: From what Carli told me near the beginning of the season, her and Zach are on the ropes a bit and she might finally leave him for Christen Press. If that's the case, then she'll probably want to move to the Olympias so they can play together again.

Erin: What could we get from them for her?

Erica: Looking at their roster and their moves from the July international break, there are not that many players that would constitute a good swap. Best one that I think we could nab is Zadorsky. It'd be a straight swap of central defenders and national team captains.

Erin: I like that idea, having Shelina here as our field general. The one possible problem is that I'm not sold on keeping Didi. Britt Eckerstrom is a free agent after her release from Portland and I'd like to bring her in as competition for Haracic.

Erica: Competition is a good thing. Besides, I'm not all that sure that Didi and Shelina are still an item. Just a feeling I got from when we played out in LA earlier this summer.

Erin: Good point. We definitely need to bring in a number 10 in the off-season. I love Tori and she's done a fine job trying to play it, but the reflex thinking you need at that position isn't her strong suit. J-Mac's legs won't allow her to continue to drop back and manage possession if she's also being counted on to work the front line with Cali. Sinclair, she's not.

Erica: Getting 10s in the draft is easy, but getting them up to NWSL speed in time for the season opener is near-impossible. We'll have to either trade for one or try to pilfer a player in the January transfer window.

Erin left Erica's office to begin charting out what kind of players she'd want to get in time for preseason in March, along with developing a strategy for the Legacy on Saturday.

***

Christen and Shelina joined up with Katelyn and Sammy Jo for dinner at their place.

Christen: The platoon seems to be working well. Both of you are on your game at the moment.

Katelyn: Thanks, Chrissy! I know that Jenny isn't naming a starter for Saturday until she sees how Sky Blue chooses to attack and defend us.