NJ's Allie Long is week one's PotW. Kinda surprised that, for once, they picked someone who didn't score OR assist OR play in goal. Made it hard for me to think of what to put on the Wiki article. ^.^'' I like.
I think some of the voting press actively pushed for her to get it and she certainly had a very strong game. I hope that they do look more at unsung heroes. It's very hard in soccer because games are usually decided by a goal and it's hard not to notice what an impact a goal scorer has on a game, or a goalkeeper if they post a shutout and make some tough saves.
I agree that in most cases player of the week is not the person who scored, assisted or made tough saves and I understand what some of the bloggers are getting at but in this case I think they missed it. From watching the game live if you were going to pick a player who really did the little things I will say it was Casey Nogueira. But she still wasn't the POTW for me. In my opinion, it was A-rod. Her introduction in the match completed change every thing for Philly and turned that game around.
I like how they picked someone who went out there and did work the whole time they were on the field. *cough* Sky Blue's own Allie Long! Congrats! *cough* Hopefully they keep it up! I think here in the States we get too caught up on the numbers and goal totals and overlook the player who set up and operated the plays. Yeah Amy came in and got the goal (it was a straight goal nothing spectacular), Lianne Sanderson had a good match. I think this season will be more about the playmakers and background people who help run plays. Especially once all the big names are playing in the WWC. I'd also like to see some defenders get some shine. I have a strong feeling that we will see some talents that we have overlooked.
ATL's Alli Lipsher is week two's PotW ^.^ I remember seeing a poll on FB for PotW earlier this week. I feel very validated right now, as I voted for Lipsher even though she wasn't winning the poll at that point.
Can't say she didn't play a great game, but I think Chalupny should've gotten it; never slowed down even when ATL was behind in the first half, and her goal changed the tempo of the game.... I'm with you this week Mookie, mreh.
I could see if she got a shut out, but she go scored on twice. And as Miss Solo and her mouth pointed out the second time it was because of an error made on her part. Little Lori Chalupny just can't catch a break. Ali Riley also played her butt off, she was the only one Chalupny couldn't sake last weekend.
Riley's crossing was horrendous. Absolutely agree with Chalupny deserving it though. How on Earth is a keeper who gives up a pair of goals more deserving?
Her main position is defender she doesn't have to have lovely crosses. You have to admit though she stopped Chalupny. It was so bad they switched sides. Then we know what happened after that. I agree though still trying to figure out the Lispher pick. I just think they're trying to piss off Hope as much as possible. Like look we dont' need you we have a new keeper we're going to force our PR and announcers to make into a star.
Nope. It is not about pissing off Hope. Its about this new approach these bloggers came up with to pick some one who really didn't "fill up" the stat sheet but did the little things. They said as much on twitter at the beginning of the season. According to them, last year it was all about who scored the game winning goal or had multiple assists or made the game winning save. So this year they have decided to go with the less obvious choice. And as I said before, while I appreciate what they are trying to do, sometimes times that is not the case. In this case, anyone who saw that game on sunday will tell you it was Chalupny who kept Atlanta in that game. If casual viewers of the game could clearly see how both coaches changed their game plan mid game because of one, that player must be doing some thing right. As for Lipsher, I'm not even sure if she had any difficult saves. If they wanted to give it to a keeper, atleast Harris made a save that was sure to give Atlanta the win. Also, does any know if the POTW will only come from the game that is televise?
To be fair, Lipsher did make a couple of outstanding saves. But I agree, POTW in mind was Chalupny, and I'm not sure it's really much of a debate in my mind. Just a shame I don't have a vote despite having media credentials. Gio from Equalizer picked Sinclair (!) and Loyden (!!!) in a tie I guess. So, yeah there were some weird picks amongst the blog/media sphere this week.
I was joking about the Hope thing. It's fine with me if journalists want to pick unsung heroes to highlight. Some of my favorites are unsung heroes. Lori didn't just do the big stuff she did the little things too, heck had she not done those the Beat wouldn't have had a chance. I agree. I was not that impressed with Lispher's saves. Most of them she just utilized her height. I didn't get the air of athleticisim. That's why I didn't see why some players, ok ONE player was griping about the Save of the Match as well. Harris to me made the save of the match. Luckily somewhere along the line the play was called offsides, but Harris was doggin it out to make sure that ball did not get in the next. And in those back to back stops she made she could have easily screwed up. Back to Lipsher: I'll try to have an ear out next match and will definately keep my eyes open when she's matched up against an offensive minded team. She might have potential but I'm not ready to say she's the best keeper in the WPS. Also the Beat v. SBFC match was not televised and she got POTW, so I think not all of them will be picked from televised matches.
She's only been a defender since her junior year at Stanford. She should have figured out how to cross when she was an offensive player And you cannot stop Lori Chalupny. You can only hope to contain her. Or punch her in the head so hard that she'll never play again. Oh. wait. That was her teammate and not a defender. sigh. I really <3 Lori Chalupny. I miss her midfield play for the USWNT. I've missed it for years. And I'm not bitter At.All.
!!! X-D !!! Oh geez, this post just made my day. But you must spread some reputation around before giving it to kool-aide again..... yadda yadda.... =-/
Whoops - we completely forgot to discuss Christine Sinclair's win last week. Whoops. Anyway, this week I'm betting it's Marta again. It's hard to argue with two assists and a goal. Though Morgan came close with one of each. (I didn't see the game so I'm just going on stats here - feel free to throttle me) X-D
I activate my thread necromancy powers to ask: WTH happened to PotM June? I mean, I know I miss stuff on occasion, but I searched the WPS site earlier today and didn't search hard enough, I guess?
Everyone was so busy with the WWC they plum forgot about it! Seriously, the soccer journalists who vote on it are rather preoccupied at the moment. Maybe they'll catch up later. Or maybe they'll combine June and July considering that June had an abbreviated schedule.
Yikes... While I can actually see this happening, that would mean that, for a season that *officially* went from April to August, there would only be three PotM awards? Yeesh.... I mean, if they had at least said beforehand about not having a PotM for June at the end of the month, or not for the month by itself... ...okay, I guess. But right now it seriously does look like they completely forgot about it, which I don't think really is excusable, no matter if the WWC group stage was still going on. I mean, couldn't they at least half-a$$ it, create a shortlist just by taking three minutes to look at boxscores, then put it to a vote?
Vero won the league leading 3rd POTW in only nine games http://www.womensprosoccer.com/Home/philadelphia/news/general/110804-vero-pow.aspx Now back to the regularly scheduled magicJack discussions
Don't like it really. How often do you have a hat trick, much less one by a rookie? Whatever. Not surprised.