8/4 Atlanta v Washington prematch thread

[flix]

Sunday, August 4, 2002 - Atlanta Beat (9-7-1, 28 pts.) at Washington Freedom (8-5-5, 29 pts.) - 4:00 p.m. (ET) - CSN-DC (Washington); WB36 (Atlanta) (Season Series: Series tied 1-1-0) (All-time Series History: Atlanta leads 4-1-0) Currently holding the final two playoff spots, Atlanta and Washington will head into Sunday's match looking to claim three points and possibly clinch a playoff birth. As of July 29 one point separates these two teams. The Freedom defeated the Beat for the first time in the club's history with a 2-1 victory on July 3. The Freedom enter the week riding the team's longest undefeated streak (6) while Atlanta has won three straight games. If both teams win their matches on Sunday, either club could be looking at clinching a playoff with a win in this match.

Key Players to Watch: The ever-dangerous Charmaine Hooper (9g, 1a, 19 pts. - 11th among WUSA scoring leaders) enters this match looking to add to her six league-leading, game-winning goals. Homare Sawa (5g, 5a, 15 pts. - tied for 13th among WUSA scoring leaders) continues to be an important part of the Atlanta offense. The Japanese international leads the team in shots (38) and shots on goal (24). Goalkeeper Briana Scurry (7-6-1, 1.36 GAA) leads the league in shutouts (6) and is second in catch/punches (77). Washington's Abby Wambach (9g, 5a, 23 pts. - 6th among the WUSA scoring leaders) continues to find the back of the net for the Freedom. Wambach has already set a new team record for points, surpassing Mia Hamm's total of 16 last season. Hamm (4g, 2a, 10 pts.) has helped lead the Freedom to third place in the WUSA standings. Since her return to the lineup (June 12), the Freedom has gone 6-1-2. Goalkeeper Siri Mullinix (5-3-4, 1.12 GAA) continues to shine for the Freedom in net. The Washington 'keeper leads the league in save percentage (83.0 percent) and is second in goals against average (1.12).

Key Matchup: (Atlanta defender Sharolta Nonen versus Washington forward Abby Wambach) - Wambach has made a name for herself during her rookie season as dangerous goal scorer. The Washington forward is the only rookie to rank among the top 10 in scoring in the WUSA. Nonen will use her speed and skill to keep Wambach off the ball. If the Atlanta defender is unable to neutralize Wambach, it could be a long day for goalkeeper Briana Scurry.

The "Inside Scoop": With the playoff race heating up, both teams will be looking to earn three points on Sunday. Depending on the outcome of both team's Wednesday matches, a playoff spot may be on the line in this match. Entering the week, the Freedom is riding a six-game unbeaten streak (longest in team history).

They Said it: "Atlanta is a very physical and hard-working team that is difficult to match up with. We love the challenge they present." - Washington Freedom Head Coach Jim Gabarra on Atlanta.

Referee: Kari Seitz. Referee Assistants: Steve Davidson, John E. Schmitz. 4th Official: Michael Stutt.

[Mike Lane]

Good, accurate article. We need this one. I bet it will be a fun and very brusing game.

[phats_away]

The following is a brief team-by-team injury overview entering Week 17 of the 2002 WUSA Regular Season:

ATLANTA BEAT: PROBABLE - M Liping Wang (R knee contusion); F Sun Wen (left adductor strain); M Kylie Bivens (Plantar fascitis).


WASHINGTON FREEDOM: OUT - M Ann Cook (L knee strain).

[Mr.Soccer]

What an incredible game this is going to be. It is the turning point of the season. This is the type of game you really want to play in. And, I predict, Kylie will be ready to go on Sunday.
Go Beat!

[Mike Lane]

Originally posted by Mr.Soccer
I predict, Kylie will be ready to go on Sunday.
Go Beat!


Oh I hope so!!! We are giong to need all our defensive weapons.

[FanOfFutbol]

As I said in and earlier thread the injury Kylie has is one of the most frustrating a player can have.

One day they can play or practice at full speed for the entire time. Another they have too much pain to even get started. And it can be anywhere in between.

While there are injections that help they can make the injury MUCH worse in the long run.

As much as the Beat need Kylie and as much as she wants to go they need to make sure that she is truly ready.

One of the problems with plantar fascitis is that the foot can feel good through a warm-up period and then suddenly become too painful for even walking shortly thereafter.

Fortunately the WUSA allows a lot of subs and a risk can be taken as far as the game goes but I would hope that it is not the most serious kind of plantar fascitis and Kylie is able to go for this and the rest of the games.

[FearM9]

From CyberSoccerNews:

Can the defenses prevent lots of goals? (http://www.cybersoccernews.com/wusa/atlanta/020802beat.shtml)
Atlanta and Washington are both teams who have hit their stride at the end of the year
by Joseph Wanandi

[LomaB8]

Cool site Fear.
Thanks

[FanOfFutbol]

This game is a VERY important one and the playoff picture could be nearly set after it is over.

Both teams will know the result of San Jose @ Carolina that is played the day before and that game has a huge effect on what this game will actually mean.

Before Saturday:
Carolina has 33 points and three games left.
Washington has 32 points and two games left.
Atlanta has 31 points and three games left.
San Jose has 28 points with three games left.

After this weekend these teams have no more games against each other.
=============
At this point I was going to put a calculation of all the possibilities but it got too complicated.
=============
Both Washington and Atlanta win the tiebreaker against San Jose so to win a playoff position San Jose must finish higher than one or the other. In effect this gives both Atlanta and Washington one extra point against San Jose.

A win by San Jose Saturday really applies the pressure on Washington to win against Atlanta because of San Jose’s and Atlanta’s extra game.

Looking at the remaining games after Sunday:
Washington plays NY an almost sure win.
Carolina plays San Diego and NY two fairly sure wins.
Atlanta plays San Diego and Philly. The toughest of the schedules and I would think that a win and a tie would be VERY good from these two.

From this and the other possibilities it is clear, well at least not unclear, that the game Sunday gains back any of the imperative it might loose for Atlanta based on the results Saturday.

This means that Sunday's game is as close to a must win for both Washington and Atlanta as they could possibly want. If either team looses they open the door for San Jose and for the winner and loose a large measure of control over their own destiny.

The other thing of interest is that the game is between the, currently, two hottest teams in the league. Both teams have been making a VERY impressive run toward the playoffs and have really impressed with their play.

Washington has beaten Atlanta for the first time and Atlanta has beaten Carolina for the first time during their runs.

Finally I believe the winner of this game wins the tiebreaker between the two and that could be very important also.

A VERY interesting and exciting weekend coming and it would be hard to improve on the suspense. I never thought that last year could be surpassed but it looks like two teams making strong runs down the stretch may have done it.

[Charger22]

Good thoughts FoF.

"With just 7 points separating first and fifth place, Atlanta needs six points in their final three games to clinch a playoff spot. A little good luck is needed for them to clinch a home game in the playoffs as they trail first place Philadelphia by FOUR points and Carolina by TWO."

so this is very possible. If we need 6 points, this game against Washington is VERY important. I like that we have a game in hand on Wash.

"In this year’s series against Washington, Atlanta has split 1-1. In the second of those games, the Beat looked horrible. Their offense was anemic and unable to score a goal... Their defense let in two quick goals in the first half, caused by poor marking in the defensive third."

okay, so maybe it wasn't the best game, but we've improved a lot since then. We've pulled our act together and I think it should be a much better game. It's going to be tough, but we sure do need the points.

[Mike Lane]

LET'S GO BEAT!!!!! I wouldn't miss this one for all the world. I hope the TV gods don't pull a fast one like last Wednesday!

[jd6885]

well this sucks! no foxsports south! I envy you people in Atlanta that gets to watch it on wb36 :(

[FearM9]

Originally posted by jd6885
well this sucks! no foxsports south! I envy you people in Atlanta that gets to watch it on wb36 :( This game will also be carried on CSN...so if you have DirecTV you are in luck.

And I'm SURE the fine folks in the ATL will DO a PBP for this match for the folks across the country that cannot watch this on TV.

I...FearM9...am still unsure about what I will do tomorrow afternoon. Will I watch it or not? We'll see.

[FanOfFutbol]

Originally posted by jd6885
well this sucks! no foxsports south! I envy you people in Atlanta that gets to watch it on wb36 :( It is also on CSN. If you have DirecTV and the sports pak, or live in the "local" Washington area, it will be on DTV ch 629 live at 4:00 PM EST Sunday Aug 4 and repeated at 1:00 AM on the 5th.

It should, also, be available on Dish Network on whatever ch they have CSN.

If you do not have DTV or dish maybe you have a friend that does or you can find a sports bar that is willing to tune it in. (Boy I almost submitted that with the "a" and "r" reversed in bar. That woud be interesting but a bit uncomfortable for someone...)

[FanOfFutbol]

Originally posted by FearM9
...And I'm SURE the fine folks in the ATL will DO a PBP for this match for the folks across the country that cannot watch this on TV.
Fear, you are faster than I.

As far as a PbP I will contribute comments BUT I cannot do one full blown as I really want to watch this game without worrying too much about getting the events into the computer.

I hope you chose to watch because, even if your loyalities are split, the soccer should be first rate and the game fun.

[Mike Lane]

Many of the local folks who post here will be going to J and J's for a viewing party hosted by the Beat... there will probably be players who didn't make the trip there. I don't think there's any way to plug in a lap-top there. I for one don't HAVE a laptop, so I definitely can't help.

[thegoofy1]

Originally posted by Mike Lane
Many of the local folks who post here will be going to J and J's for a viewing party hosted by the Beat... there will probably be players who didn't make the trip there. I don't think there's any way to plug in a lap-top there. I for one don't HAVE a laptop, so I definitely can't help.

Sounds like we'll be stuck following along on the woosa matchtracker thing (except for some stuff from FoF). Have fun at JandJ's you lucky folks!!!

[piper]

Has anyone heard anything about Bivens' foot?

[FanOfFutbol]

Originally posted by thegoofy1
Sounds like we'll be stuck following along on the woosa matchtracker thing (except for some stuff from FoF). Have fun at JandJ's you lucky folks!!! If anyone is interested I have had some sucess in the past with using a Yahoo chatroom with voice enabled. I allows for easy PbP and still has keyboard interactive.

The only requirements seem to be a Yahoo ID and, at least for me, Yahoo instant messenger.

I would create the room and give its name here and although I would create it private anyone could join. I just would not show up in the regular room list preventing the random surfer from interfering with the PbP.

I would like to test it before we need it so, if anyone is interested, you can PM me and we will set a time for testing of the typing and the sound.

It "could" be fun. I think.

[Mike Lane]

Originally posted by piper
Has anyone heard anything about Bivens' foot?

Nothing in the local media. Three games in 10 days will be almost impossible for someone with plantar fasciitis. I hope she'll at least be up for one!