7/31 Freedom vs. Courage PREMATCH

[StarCityFan]

I'm leaving town tomorrow (in part to see the game in person), so I want to start the discussion now.

After our last two games with the Charge, I think they have good reason to be a little nervous about the prospect of facing us in the playoffs. However, since the Courage trounced us, 3-1, the last time we faced them, they don't have much reason to be likewise. It would be nice to change that as well as all but clinch a playoff spot with a win.

"White on rice" is going to have her toughest challenge yet if she ends up on Prinz - Katia is actually taller than Prinz, but Prinz is by far the more physical.

Tiffany Roberts' ejection should help us, and if Steffi Jones can have another commanding game in the midfield, we should have a chance.

I'm still frustrated with our attack: against San Diego, we didn't even get the chances, let alone finish them. (C. Moore led the team in shots in the first half with two - not a good sign.) We'd be very lucky to beat the Courage with just one goal.

It's not clear to me why Carolina has faltered in the past couple of games, but it would be great for us if the slump continued - and if it gets extended, we might even get a home playoff game!

[Bombatta2]

Just so there is NO confusion and I don't PANIC, WHEN is the game going to be aired?

It IS going to be aired, but it IS going to be tape-delayed. To when?!?!?

Somebody please state this loud and clear, and definitively, so there is NO confusion.

Thanks!! :)

[StarCityFan]

<FONT SIZE="+7" COLOR="#C81E2D"><B>Comcast SportsNet<br>Mid-Atlantic<br>
Wednesday<br>July 31, 2002<br>
10:30 PM EDT</B></FONT>

- CSN(DC) July 31 schedule (http://midatlantic.comcastsportsnet.com/schedule/tv-listings2.asp?date=&listdate=7/31/2002)

Loud and clear enough for you? ;)

[Mike Lane]

Things are really getting interesting here! Whom do we poor Bet fans root for? You are our major rivals for a final spot, but your beating the Courage would be great for us too.

Why is the game so late?

[DCUPopeAndLillyFan]

For the CSN broadcast, keep in mind that it is preceded by an Orioles game at 7:00, these things can run over 3 1/2 hours sometimes. At least it's in Tampa, so no rain delays should factor in.

[DCUPopeAndLillyFan]

Originally posted by Mike Lane
Things are really getting interesting here! Whom do we poor Bet fans root for? You are our major rivals for a final spot, but your beating the Charge would be great for us too.

Umm, we're playing Carolina...

[Mike Lane]

Yeah I was editing my post just as youwere posting... Still why is the game at 10:30 PM? Or is that another typo (rushes off to check the WUSA site)/

[FanOfFutbol]

Delayed, according to DTV, tape delay is MUCH better than nothing. At least the game is ON. The Atlanta SD game is not going to be shown at all.

The local Atlanta media just does not give a damn about the Beat. Oops, this is NOT the Beat forum. I'll rant later in the correct place.

I just heard a voice: "This is not your room!"

[Kim-GoBeat!]

Originally posted by StarCityFan
.
Tiffany Roberts' ejection should help us, and if Steffi Jones can have another commanding game in the midfield, we should have a chance.



You're welcome! :)

What I know to be a fact is that Prinz is very upset by physical play. The Germans do not play a physical match. If your defenders nudge her, bump her a bit and pretty much stay in her face... she WILL unravel. She loses her cool quite easily and then loses concentration. SO.... apply force and she will break!! :p

[Alana1079]

I think this match is the toughest Washington has left to play. I'm not selling Atlanta short, I'm just stating my opinion. Playing Carolina and Atlanta with three days in between is going to be a chore, but Washington's defense has been stellar lately, so I have full confidence we can win both games...Should we play how we've been playing. (That's excluding the match vs. Boston. Only reason we didn't lose that is because we have Siri "wings on her back" Mullinix in goal.)

I'm looking forward to the match. With TR out it's gonna be interesting. Sucks that it won't be on TV live, but delayed is better than no viewage at all.

[FearM9]

Originally posted by Alana1079
Sucks that it won't be on TV live, but delayed is better than no viewage at all. Do you get Fox Sports South down there in Florida? They will be airing the match live from 7-9pm your time.

I guess my only main concern about this match is how to handle Riise. In the Beat match Riise was moved away from her usual playmaking MF role and Unni Lehn took that spot. IMNSHO this really killed their defense.

Oh yeah and KGB is right...get under Prinz's skin and it's game over for her. :D Is Moore the key here? I don't know. She's awfully small. Perhaps Grubb and Jones on her should do the job.

This match at SAS is approaching a near sellout. This should be awesome in person and look good on TV.

[Alana1079]

Originally posted by FearM9
Do you get Fox Sports South down there in Florida? They will be airing the match live from 7-9pm your time.
Excellent. I do have that station thanks to my lovely DTV provider. So many sports stations, so little time. Thanks for the heads up, Fear. Tis greatly appreciated.

TV Guide needs to be more accurate in their showings of schedule. This match being a prime example, and the NY match vs Washington on the 10th. It's listed as being delayed on CSN, but it's live on MSG. Come on, people, stay on the ball.

[FanOfFutbol]

Originally posted by FearM9
Do you get Fox Sports South down there in Florida? They will be airing the match live from 7-9pm your time.
Fear my DTV schedule shows Brewers @ Braves from 7:00 to 10:00 Wed. on Fox Sports South ch 630. This is also shown on the cable system on the Fox Sports South that Comcast caries. Do you know any different? Or is there another Fox Sports South feed somewhere?

[FearM9]

Oops sorry folks I flubbed up. FoF check channel 633 (I think that's it). That's the one that carries games of various kinds every now and then. It would appear as "RSNa" on your online guide. Channel 633 is not a regular channel like 595 or 231, it only pops up if it is gonna air something.

[StarCityFan]

Originally posted by FearM9

Oh yeah and KGB is right...get under Prinz's skin and it's game over for her. :D Is Moore the key here? I don't know. She's awfully small. Perhaps Grubb and Jones on her should do the job.

I was wondering about the same thing: Carrie's done the job on the small, quick forwards (Millie, Pichon, Mellgren) and even handled the 5'10" Katia okay, but Prinz is a lot more physical. She can probably keep Prinz from getting the ball on anything but corner kicks (the only time Katia got to her) but could probably use help then. Hard to say.

Meanwhile, I worry that Carolina has probably learned their lesson about moving Riise and will put her back where she's most dangerous. I'm hoping that Steffi Jones can have another big game and nullify that advantage, though.

[FanOfFutbol]

Originally posted by FearM9
Oops sorry folks I flubbed up. FoF check channel 633 (I think that's it). That's the one that carries games of various kinds every now and then. It would appear as "RSNa" on your online guide. Channel 633 is not a regular channel like 595 or 231, it only pops up if it is gonna air something. Thanks, I "thought" I added that to the channels I receive so my TiVo would scan it but I guess something kept it from adding correctly.

Edit: I see now. The game is listed as Freedom @ Courage and the letters WUSA do NOT appear anywhere in the listing, like all other games have, so my wish list did not pick it up. Thanks again.

[M9fanatic]

If Riise gets put back into that attacking mid position it will be trouble. Why not stick Moore on her a la TR when she's with the Nats. If you stiffle Riise then Carolina's attack dies, even with Prinze and Fotop in there. I think we have in advantage with Jones. She's familiar with Prinze and can probably shut her down. That leaves Fotop. Grubb has the stuff to stop her.
What we need is some one other than Mia to organize the attack. We simply can't just wait till Mia gets in the game to get it going. Pu and Bai have got to start taking more responsibility on themselves.
Lets hope Slaton's tender knee flares up again.

Go get em ladies!!!!
Go Freedom!!!!

[FearM9]

Oh yeah...

I wonder if Mak is good to go for this match?

[GoDC]

Late night watching the Freedom. Will need to stay off the Net to avoid seeing the result but this sounds good.

[FearM9]

Originally posted by GoDC
Late night watching the Freedom. Will need to stay off the Net to avoid seeing the result but this sounds good. What about going to Summer's to see if they can show it live on DirecTV?