Followed @BluesGameday for the MU game. In the span of 8min, Cuellar had four good chances, put three in the net, getting two goals - the first of three called offside. (Jones also causing problems early, then getting one in after Cuellar's brace.) I know it's jut MU, but damn Cuellar....
I misread things; second goal was Cueallar->Farrely->in. Also, the MU Twitter feed doesn't seem to admit to the Jones goal happening... Both feeds mentioning that Henninger doing well.
Good to hear that. She tweeted that she still wasn't feeling 100% - I'm assuming from the ankle surgery - and that she let the girls down a couple of times. But of course it's the whole team's fault when the other team scores, so you know... I'm sure she'll be back in her former fabulous form soon.
Cuellar's got skills. She would have been known a lot more out of college, if she would have played for a better team. The Sooners aren't exactly a women's soccer school. KC is going all the way this year, if they have good coaching. Something tells me they knock off Portland in the playoffs. They do need to add some more defensive depth. Henninger is the shat. If she ever starts in this league, and is healthy, she's a darkhorse pick for keeper of the year. She's ready to break out soon. And Cheney is the key player this year for FCK City. It's like that old Aerosmith song, "Cheney's got a Gun". Cheney's got a Gun, and she needs to use it.
"The Sooners aren't exactly a women's soccer school." Ouch. A bit unfair. With a new coach OU is improving. And Renee only played at OU last year, her Senior year. She transferred after 3 years University of Arizona. She had a great year at OU under new coaches Matt Potter and Kacey Burke and was named the best offensive player in the Big 12. So Renee might have a different opinion about OU as a women's soccer school.
Henderson did not play. She was nursing an injury. Cueller was dangerous the whole time. Nice combination of skill, strength and speed. Mewis out on the left was just very good. Skilled and poised. Jones on right looked good Farrelly looked calm on ball, made some nice plays, seemed to hesitate from some contact but she had just been cleared to play coming off an injury. Scott and Buczowski both played fairly well and will get better as they know each other Robinson go up the flank well from left back Sesselman, Williams and Kelly all did okay on defense Henninger just started practicing and I was a bit surprised she even played that game. If she was anywhere near her normal self, at least one of the goals they gave up would not have happened and maybe both. Overall the team played well, very well considering four starters just showed up and played.
With FCKC's allocated players off on national duty we are getting an idea of how KC is going to use their roster. Here is a link with a game recap of their preseason game against Nebraska. http://www.fckansascity.com/2013/04/07/fc-kansas-city-finishes-exhibition-season-on-high-note/ Kansas City was using a 4-5-1 formation with Renee Cueller up at top. Courtney Jones, Casey Nogueira Loyd, Jen Buczkowski, Sinead Farrelly and Erika Tymrak handling the midfield. Their backline had an intresting mix of players playing outside their normal positions, but this is understandable with so many national players away. Merrit Mattias and Leigh Ann Robinson were out on the wings with with Nia Williams and Katie Kelly handling centerback duties. All the players listed are on the KC roster, but they did use subs to bring in players who are trying out. So this roster may not be completely set by the time the season starts. What is already apparent from reports and recaps that we've been able to find is that KC is playing a high pressure possession style. Cueller has been a revelation in her ability to score and her pace up top. Using 5 midfielders, KC is able to clog the middle up and keep possession and with the high amount of goals scored this preseason, there is reason to believe this KC team will be a high scoring team. Of course with their matches against other college clubs, we really won't know how this will translate when they take on professional club players. Already there are some key players that are looking like standouts for KC. Renee Cueller: Scored 5 goals and 1 assist in their shellacking of Nebraska. Constantly breaking through and torching the backline. Her growth will be important for the future of KC and with the offense moving through the center forward, I can see this position being very important for KC. Casey Nogueira Loyd: Is looking like she will be a big factor. She is in a system geared towards her abilities. A player with great vision and accurate passing. She probably will be vying for a starting spot. Erika Tymrak: Probably one of the more underrated midfielders on the KC roster right now with Loyd, Cheney, Farrelly and of course Mewis. But this small gem was stellar with Florida in her college days and she is showing alot of pace and flash with KC in her preseason matches. She had a goal and an assist in her game with Nebraska. Hard to say if she will be a starter or a sub, but she is openning eyes with her ball movement skills. Courtney Jones: Pretty sure not alot of people had her rated high on their lists as an impact player. But she seems to be able to handle any position thrown her way. She played as a midfielder in the Nebraska game and her physical style does have some uses. She also picked up a goal and an assist. Likely with the 4-5-1 formation she will slot in as a rightback player. Snead Farrelly: Without a doubt will be the starting holding midfielder for KC. The center of the pitch is where Farelly will command and mobalize the offense. Her vision and ball movement skills are going to be key for KC. With the stellar play of Cueller, there will be some intresting debate where Melissa Henderson will slot in. She may from match to match slot in as a forward or a midfielder. She came as a sub in the Nebraska match as a midfielder where they kept Cueller up top all game long. Henderson picked up an assist on one of Cueller's goals. Henderson can dribble and hold onto the ball and be a very effective playmaker. So I wouldn't be surprised if we see her get moved around alot.
I think they will be more young and fun than good, but do think they will probably have the upset potential for Portland than a highly structure Lines' WNY. So, Cuellar is a lone striker. They will need Casey to get up to speed and produce goals, not just pretty passes and Cheney will need to frame shots consistently vs her exploits on the national team and subpar play for Boston in the WPS. Those goal numbers are against a grade "B" university team, not a pro squad. I don't see her as a 10 goal soccer in the NWSL. And how much strengthen has Henderson lost since she went on her malnutrition diet? I haven't seen Missy. Did they cut her? I have them pegged in @ 2 or 3. Someone goes home crying in the 1st round if they play this team, but I think they will gel late in the season. Look for them to be REAL rocky the 1st 10 games or so.
Is Missy Geha still on KC's roster? Look what current FCKC player Katie Kelly tweeted just a few hours ago. Why would Metro Sports have a KC player on their sports show tonight, that was cut from the team? https://twitter.com/KKelly21/status/322121931224666112 Katie Kelly @KKelly21 5hWatch Missy Geha and I on Metro sports tonight at 6! @kcmetrosports @FCKansasCity #FCKC #kcpride #teammatesforlife Details
