How about a starting point on some opinions for the top ten list so far for 2005 recruiting class. My guess: 1) UCLA 2) USC 3)North Carolina 4) Texas A&M 5) Notre Dame 6)Virginia 7) Santa Clara 8) Nebraska 9) Virginia 10) Nevada and Brigham Young
I would definitely add West Virginia in there. 2 National Team players from the Canadian team, along with another youth team player. If they have half the impact that Diana Matheson had as a freshman at Princeton this year the Mountaineers are in for one heck of a ride. Edit: Just looked over your post again and you have Virginia posted twice so maybe one is supposed to be WV?
i know this is the "top signing classes" thread, but maybe it should be top incoming freshmn classes, which would include ashlyn harris for the heels (didn't play last year because of the u-19 world championships).
Nice thread! As you rank the classes, or mention ones you are impressed with, can you give highlights as to who they signed thus deserving that ranking? Even if you don't know all the kids, just the marquee ones that garner attention. I know of some good classes, but want to see how they stack up with the ones you've listed before I post. Thanks.
Here are mine: 1.) USC - The depth of the class is outstanding. The last minute switch of U-19 player Meagan Holmes from Santa Clara puts this class over the top. Amy Rodriguez might be the best player in the country as well. 2.) UCLA - Kara Lang ... what else needs to be said. Also picked up Kelsey Davis and Christina DiMartino. 3.) Virginia - Nikki Krzysik probably best defender in the 2005 class. Also picked up Jessica Rostedt and Kelly Quinn. 4.) North Carolina - Yael Averbuch is clearly one of the best players in the 05 class. Also picked up Betsy Frederick and Mandy Moraca. 5.) Notre Dame - U-17 NT Brittany Bock leads the class after choosing the Irish over UNC amongst others. Carrie Dew (region IV player who chose ND over Stanford), Rebecca Mendoza (Mexico U-19), and Kerry Ingles are also key pick-ups. Add in Kerri Hanks (who sat out 04 to play in U-19's) and the return of Susan Pinnick from injury, and the Irish will have tremendous depth in 05. 6.) Santa Clara - Hayley Siegel leads the class. 7.) Nebraska - Canadians Aysha Jamani and Selenia Iachellis headline the class. 8.) Texas A&M - Cydne Currie will be a force up front. 9.) Texas - Defender Kasey Moore was a huge get. 10.) Florida - Ameera Abdullah.
I've seen Amanda Cicchini and Deana Everrett play for Canada. Amanda is like a Diana Matheson clone (but with long, curly hair). She may be joining Matheson as a fixture in the Canadian sr. team midfield. Everrett was a new U19'er and only got time as a sub, but from what I saw she has the makings of a future star. I think WVA will be very pleased with their selections.
I agree with tarheelfan! You have to look at the U19's! they should be included because they are incoming freshmen as well. Notre Dame has to be ranked high again in 2005. Bock - u17 USNT (was U16 captain on NT) has to be a top ten recruit in '05. Mendoza - now with the Full Mexican NT! (www.femefut.mx.org) Dew - California kid, very good defender, one of the top CB of 05 class Inglis - very good player, great athlete, She is my suprise of 2005 class b/c she will be an immediate impact for the Irish. I saw her play all summer with Ft Wayne W-League team that defeated Australian Olympic Team. (u19's: Pinnick back from injury. NT pool player Hanks a forward that led the US in 2004 Qualifying for WC with 10 goals. Doesn't Portland get back two or three from u19 WC teams? They have to be in the Top 10. Anyone hear what Penn State got in '05?
Does anyone have a list of the US U19'ers who sat out their freshman year and where they'll be playing this year? Didn't Portland have a couple? Canadian Emily Zurrer (MVP in the 2004 CONCACAF U19 World Championship qualification tournament) red shirted her freshman year at Illinios and should start this fall. She's a defender with the same size, build, hair color and mannerisms as Kara Lang. They both played central defender for Canada's U19 team - announcers got them mixed up quite a bit.
Laura Comeau - GK - Virginia Sheree Gray - F/M - Penn St. Kerri Hanks - F - Notre Dame Ashlyn Harris - GK - North Carolina Stephanie Logterman - M/D - Texas Megan Rapinoe - F - Portland Jen Redmond - M - Virginia
Texas A&M - There are at least two other major talents in the A&M Class besides Cydne Currie. LGR is an exceptional distributor( National team level), NC is faster and stronger than her sister but has not been on the National scene because of injury, EP is the top talent in Oklahoma with National Team experience and MS was one of the only players to consistently shut down Cydne Currie in league play over several years in Dallas.4 of these 5 players have also been together for sometime in Region 3 under Phil Stephenson.
Thanks for the list. I guess I was also thinking of Angie Woznuk at Portland - but she sat out her sophmore year.
If you add the redshirts from the U-19s then in my mind UVA goes to the top of the class, and they were in the top three in my mind anyway. No other team has the quantity of quality players coming in.
The question of whether to count the U-19 redshirts or not depends upon what question you are trying to answer. Are you trying to determine the collection of first year eligible players that will have the biggest impact or are you are you trying to evaluate how well the coach did in recruiting 2005 grads. All that being said, there is little doubt in my mind, that the USC recruits are going to make the biggest impact of any group for their team. USC was next to last in the PAC-10 last season. Next season they will be a truly competitive team and may challenge for the PAC-10 title. I know that these are all freshman but they will surely improve the fortunes of USC. The big question for USC is, can they continue to recruit at this level in the future? Sophister
I am still curious as to how USC was able to "steal" (just for lack of a better term) Meagan Holmes from joining her two Bethesda Excel teammates at SCU at seemingly the last minute.
I know this is off topic, so I apologize, but will this talent coming at U$C be able to overcome the poor coaching? They have gotten big time girls in the past, to no avail. Is this the "make it or break it class?" I have heard first-hand from several usc players (who started, and were good) that it is not a fun expereince to play for him and most don't like it. So I guess my question is, will we see a difference with this incoming bunch? Silent, you rated Nevada as a top ten class (UNLV or Reno) who is coming in that supports that? I am not familiar with their incoming people, so just curious. THanks!
My list had two misprints. One was placing Virginia twice. so eliminate them from my number nine position. I transposed Brigham Young from a personal list and Nevada was typed on that list. It was an accident, sorry. That leaves me with a top 9. I am listening to others responses before I replace my number 10.
"I know this is off topic, so I apologize, but will this talent coming at U$C be able to overcome the poor coaching? They have gotten big time girls in the past, to no avail. Is this the "make it or break it class?" I have heard first-hand from several usc players (who started, and were good) that it is not a fun expereince to play for him and most don't like it. So I guess my question is, will we see a difference with this incoming bunch?" gee what a surprise....the old "I talked with my sources line..." that's a funny line because I have heard first hand from several players who enjoyed their time at USC and appreciate going to a great university. I always enjoy someone who likes to bash but never name their "sources." If you don't like Coach Millinder or USC, that's fine. But the topic is talking about classes and not your petty complaints. Obviously, these kids want to play for the coach and get a quality degree or else they would go to another school. if you want to write a negative post, make your own thread instead of trying to rake others through the mud just because your "friends and sources" didn't get enough playing time.
I admitted and apologized for being off-topic, I didn't write a post with my opinion or "gut feelings," but one based on hearing first-hand from players, I didn't personally attack Millender, I merely asked the question if this highly-rated class would turn the corner for him. I don't know him, don't care if he is a good guy or not. I merely stated what facts I know, and asked a question. I have no axe to grind. USC can win it all for all i care. I asked a question! Geez!
Surely there are more opinions than this on the top 10 classes, what ever the parameters you choose for making your choices.
Well said. I think Trojan Spirit may want to relax, or else take off the maroon colored glasses. upprv didn't mention that they didn't enjoy the college, or were unhappy with the degree. He merely stated that some players he knows that started for USC didn't like playing for the coach. Until their record changes, I think that is a point that may carry some validity. AND, that doesn't mean he won't have a great year this year, or become a "players coach". In fact, many great coaches are not "players coaches" or well-liked by their players. I think the main question is if the coach will be able to make the changes that are obviously necessary to make this great incoming class gel. Sorry for being slightly off topic.
I'll take this opportunity to gripe about the fact that Texas has not bothered to release the names of their recruits yet. They aren't the only school that still hasn't said anything, although most have by now. If I hadn't been able to get a list of names from Soccer Buzz etc., I would be pretty peeved by now. Why on Earth can't schools release the list of names on time? A one-page PR doesn't sound all that difficult to me. A&M manages to mention all the recruits, with photos and commentary by the coaches, on Day 1. Arghhhh.
The list on Soccer Buzz was put up when there were only verbal commitments. I don't know if it is the case for Texas but there are schools that still waiting for players to sign national letters of intent. Generally, schools want to wait until all of their recruits are signed. USC put out two press releases with the second one after Meagan Holmes signed. Sophister
