Dan Lauletta's latest article has Falk and Buehler as the mid-season MVPs for the Sol and the FCGP. The Sol have prevailed in 2 close games, and need another win this Sunday to keep their distance from the rest of the pack. The also need to re-find their scoring touch after an abysmal game where the players looked like they were running in sand the last 20 minutes of the game. Will the coach sub more in a home game, and do it early enough that it would make a difference? The Pride will desperately need a win to keep from sinking to the bottom of the pack, and have activated Sissi. Their situation is complicated by the fact that they have a mid-week game at Boston before coming down to the HDC to face the Sol, so they might be dragging after a physical game with the Breakers. For those not going to the 3pm (Pacific) game, it will be the Fox Soccer Channel game of the week.
Looking forward to the wkend Sol vs Pride game, think good matchup between the speed & technical play of sol team vs. the more patient possession game of the Pride. Q - who would you start: Han vs. Bock, Sanchez vs Manya, Wagner vs Larkin?? I would also like to see a few more minutes for the subs like Larkin, Zerbonie, Frisk, etc. who we may need down the stretch drive. As for the Lauletta article.......think the Sol defense should get some publicity for the great job they have done this season and for their contribution to the overall team success. Impressive the number of shut outs/clean sheets for the Sol - leading the league in defensive stats.
Gold Pride fought hard to earn a 1-1 tie with the Breakers. Add the trip back to the Coast and then the trip down south - not a lot of time to rest *and* prepare. But they certainly aren't going to be pushovers for the Sol, and have played LA enough to not need that much preparation. And speaking of preparing, I saw mention in one of the weekly articles on games and rankings that the coach had not played many subs in NJ because of this second stretch of 3 games in 7 days (21st home to GP, 24th away at StL, 27th home to Chi.) So the possible switches that you mention all look good to me
That really doesn't make sense to me. I would think he would have wanted to rest his starters a bit, but hey, let's see what happens. I noticed all four teams that played last night used the maximum number of subs, so I hope to see a little more variety in Sol's game Sunday, which I think benefits the team in the here and later.
I think we all are agreeing that using more subs over the next stretch of 3 games in 7 days will be helpful. Not really Abner's style but think it will be needed and helpful to team over long term. But hey, hard to argue with success and Abner's results to date. I would start Manya for Sanchez in back, ditto with Larkin or Bock for Wagner at MF and toss up who to start at forward (probably Han). Then bring in the bench person early in 2H - at least 2 subs for fresh legs and energy. Really like the way Aya and Marta are playing these days as seem to blend/integrate well with rest of team as both very technical and fit well with team. Plus like the way Boxx and even Lopez are getting up field and attacking. Who would you start??
I would love to seee Sanchez and Duan. Its so exciting seeing Sanchez moving up with Box and pressing on offense. It adds another offensive option. Han is just coming off injury. She should be up for the game. She seems to play well against the Gold Prides defense. It takes the Pride's Defense all they can handle with Marta. I have four extra tickets for the Pride game. If anyone needs them let me now. SolAlive
Gold Rush - Sol, part three * * * * After the Saturday win by DC, they are in 2nd place, trailing the Sol by 9 points, still having a game in hand. StL is another points back, but have 2 games in hand - as do the Breakers, who are 13 points back.
Pre-Game Notes Both backup keepers on the injury report. Temperature should be 70 for the entire game. An oddity - the Sol are the only team with a 'plus' goal differential. How often does that happen in a league? Although the web-cast schedule does not show it, the game notes say that it will be web-cast.
damn comcast...I can't see the game. It keeps saying "One moment please. This channel should be available shortly."
Sol pretty much in control of everything. Barnhard didn`t look good on the clearing in air prior to the first goal. The Sol should spend some training to their crosses. Apart from Sinclair Gold Pride spells zero danger in terms of scoring.
If one of those awards had been dropped while FSC was showing the presentation, I'd still be laughing right now.
Well, well Sol seem to get into their groove. Midfield meshes much better recently with their attack and if they put on some early pressure the LA ladies look impressivly dominant ... keeping the action on the opponent side, creating chances and most importantly scoring (even those ugly goals like the first one). Boxx, Bock and Miyama found some chemistry. Karina strong as always. Gold Pride is stuck in the same place like most other teams. The lack of scoring touch eats their points. Sinclair can`t do it all for them. I liked Formiga though in the first half.
does han duan get some injuries? she doesn't play for 3-4games and just after her first goal....or a substution?