2014 WNY Flash

Discussion in 'Western New York Flash' started by CoachJon, Apr 7, 2014.

  1. WPS_Movement

    WPS_Movement Member+

    Apr 9, 2008
    It's time for Carli Lloyd to unleash her weapon.
    So far, her season isn't nearly on pace to last year.
    She needs to stop holding it in, and let out the weapon of blast destruction, that she blasts from a mile away.

     
    CoachJon repped this.
  2. BlueCrimson

    BlueCrimson Member+

    North Carolina Courage
    United States
    Nov 21, 2012
    Cincinnati, Ohio
    Club:
    Sydney FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I would like to point out that Lloyd scored her first goal in just her third match. Last season it took her 4 matches to get her first. She's just getting warmed up.

    After the second half collapse, changes are definitely coming. After pondering who should start, this is what I came up with:

    Wys
    Reynolds Taylor Barczuk Edmonds
    Zerboni Wetzel
    Vicky Lloyd Sonia
    Abby

    After Williamson had such a miserable performance, I'm in favor of benching her and putting Barczuk next to Taylor. Wetzel can fill in at DM for Salem, but Zerboni needs to be back there as well. Bench Adriana and move Vicky into her spot. Adriana was a non-factor yesterday, and has been for most of the season.

    Needless to say I'm counting the days until we get Kerr and Williams back.
     
  3. CoachJon

    CoachJon Member+

    Feb 1, 2006
    Rochester, NY
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Lineup: I agree, except I would put Kete on the right and Vicky on the left. Reyonlds-Kete have had good connections in the past.

    Grumpy Part:
    >In other professional leagues, a team might fine a player for what Abby did to Huster. I think Aaran needs to read the riot act to her. I believe the league will give a one game suspension. Striking a player is a red card - one game out.
    >Sonia does not appear to be adapting to the mostly-direct, high-pressure, physical play in this league. [counter example see Burger for Dash]. She seems surprised every time she gets her pocket picked by a defender swooping in from behind. Also I don't think she likes to run; using her as a winger is wrong. I also don't think Abby likes to work with her (sideline and huddle observations).
    >Abby's presence in this lineup / any lineup unbalances a team.
    >I am concerned that the things Abby discusses in huddles is not the same as how Aaran wants the team to play.
    >Carli Lloyd - all I can say positive is that she is a successful opportunist in the attack. The rest of her game does not stack up. sucks.
    >Adriana was a non-factor last year period. She hasn't shown me anything else this year.

    -CJ
     
  4. BlueCrimson

    BlueCrimson Member+

    North Carolina Courage
    United States
    Nov 21, 2012
    Cincinnati, Ohio
    Club:
    Sydney FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I am surprised that Kete hasn't gotten at least one start, or more than a few minutes of playing time. She wasn't even listed as a sub for the Spirit match. It's somewhat telling that when Lines needed an offensive spark against the Spirit, all he had left was a bunch of defensive players. He seems very infatuated with his Spaniards, but would it kill him to give Kete a shot? This girl can ball, but is stuck on the bench or in the stands.

    Maybe she's just not cut out for this level. Sure she had success in WPSL-Elite, but this is a step up.
     
  5. CoachJon

    CoachJon Member+

    Feb 1, 2006
    Rochester, NY
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    --I think all of the following changes have had a negative impact this year:
    • WNY not only lost Franch but they lost Coach Vallow for the season.
    • They don't have Alex Sahlen with the team, either at starting RB or on the bench injured (or healthy for that matter).
    • Both the trainer and team doctor are new this year.
    --I am curious about WNY waiving Kete and Verloo. First why those players? And second is WNY clearing salary cap space for a new player signing?

    --I was crushed by the tie at Seattle. Giving up goals in stoppage time in each half is unforgivable. These things may be harder on fans than players, because the players can go right back to work and try to fix things, a fan can only wait and hope.
     
  6. BlueCrimson

    BlueCrimson Member+

    North Carolina Courage
    United States
    Nov 21, 2012
    Cincinnati, Ohio
    Club:
    Sydney FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'm concerned with how big of a bust this year's draft ended up being. With the great eye for talent Lines has shown in the past, the fact that only one of the 5 has stuck is somewhat baffling.
     
  7. WNYChelseaFan

    WNYChelseaFan Member

    Apr 5, 2014
    NY
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Alex Sahlen was with her U12 and U14 teams in Cortland at State Cup. ie not on the bench
     
  8. CoachJon

    CoachJon Member+

    Feb 1, 2006
    Rochester, NY
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #33 CoachJon, May 31, 2014
    Last edited: May 31, 2014
    Ah, Cortland, not Syracuse. Anyway, my point is that she has not been with the team at all this year, only to watch practice from time to time as far as I know. And she won't be with the team after her baby is born. I think she is part of the soul of the team.
     
  9. CoachJon

    CoachJon Member+

    Feb 1, 2006
    Rochester, NY
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Flash vs. Dash.
    Tonight’s program (six page glossy) did not have Verloo listed; she was waived yesterday.

    This year’s schedule magnet came inside the program – at the 4th home game…oh well, I am happy to have it.

    This year’s Team Yearbook was available tonight – free to season ticket holders. It is an 8.5 x 11 semi-glossy format, 60 pages. Each player has two pages. The inside front cover and back cover have replicated messages and autographs from all the players. Our three "amateur players" are also featured on a page - Ally Lee, Jordan Roseboro, and Brianna Smith. This is a very nice book.

    For Rochesterphiles, Nick Tahou’s (home of the garbage plate) now has a fancy, stand-alone concession stand at Sahlen’s Stadium.
    http://rocwiki.org/Nick_Tahou's
     
  10. BlueCrimson

    BlueCrimson Member+

    North Carolina Courage
    United States
    Nov 21, 2012
    Cincinnati, Ohio
    Club:
    Sydney FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Well, it only took 5 games, but we FINALLY shut out Chicago. Now can we carry this momentum into the Seattle match? Please?
     
  11. luvdagame

    luvdagame Member+

    Jul 6, 2000
    isn't she the president of the team?
     
  12. CoachJon

    CoachJon Member+

    Feb 1, 2006
    Rochester, NY
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    She is president of Western New York Flash and she and Aaran started the WNY Flash Academy. But as a player in the locker room and on the pitch, she provided (and I hope will provide) a source of emotional energy to the Flash that you just can't do if you are not actually playing.
     
  13. CoachJon

    CoachJon Member+

    Feb 1, 2006
    Rochester, NY
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Regarding team performance this year. I believe:
    • Aaran is more distracted with the new baby arriving that he would be willing to admit.
    • The baby has taken Alex Sahlen away from the team entirely.
    • Losing Scott Vallow is a pretty big deal. Watching him and Aaran on the bench during games it was all Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Aaran hardly talks to Pedro during the game. Vallow would have helped with the back four.
    • Player assessment and acquisition is off. Wetzel who is a very good player is not being used. Bermudez was a mistake - should have kept Verloo.
    • Abby is not behaving like a Team Captain. - not being with the team while injured is a bad example. Look at what Huffy did last year to get back after being injured early. She stayed with the team and worked.
    • Flash can make the playoffs, still, and if they do, can win the championship.
    • If they don't finish well this year, the real character of the organization will be exposed next year. They played in a league final four years in a row ( 10, 11, 12, and 13), so not making the final game or even the playoffs in 2014 is maybe the law of averages catching up to them. What will happen in 2015 - bounce back or become mired in the middle?
    IMHO.
     
  14. BlueCrimson

    BlueCrimson Member+

    North Carolina Courage
    United States
    Nov 21, 2012
    Cincinnati, Ohio
    Club:
    Sydney FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    My impressions of our players so far:

    Williams- Good pickup- we got very lucky with that dual citizenship loophole. One or two soft goals aside, she's been a good fill-in for AD.

    Wetzel- I'm with CJ- she's a solid player who just isn't getting the time she deserves. Honestly I wouldn't mind seeing her get a start or two soon.

    Kerr- We hit the jackpot when we got Kerr. When she's on her game, she's one of the best players in the league. She's had consistency issues, though, and I never know if Good Kerr or Bad Kerr will show up.

    Allen- Did an admirable job in her first match against the top team in the league. Having seen her play for both the Matildas and the Wanderers, she's a good defender who just needs some time to adjust.

    Salem- She's had some bad matches recently. I know we beat Portland, but she had some bad turnovers late in that match in our half that Portland weren't able to capitalize on, and has been at fault for more that one goal in some of those losses.

    Zerboni- Had a not so good start to the season, but she's picked it up since then. I don't know why she isn't captain this year, but she's still doing her job even without the armband.

    Sonia- She's turned out to be a dud. One great FK goal doesn't erase all the other times she's produced nothing. It's a shame, too, because I was really looking forward to seeing her play, and I've been disappointed.

    Lloyd- Carli is Carli. Gives 100% for 90 minutes, even when the opposition is playing "Hound the Carli" the entire match, and still producing. I wouldn't be surprised to see her step up her production soon.

    Adriana- She has stepped up her game in recent weeks after a lackluster start to the year combined with an injury. She'll need to keep it up to get the starting spot over Spencer.

    Edmonds- Some really good matches- the wins over SkyBlue and Portland were two of her best performances- and some not so good ones. I don't know if she'll remain in the lineup, though, with Allen coming in.

    Taylor- Still our best defender, although like Salem, she had a rough outing in the win over Portland. Many of Portland's opportunities came from Taylor getting beat. But that's one off night in an otherwise good season for Taylor.

    Vicky- Can we keep her forever? If Kerr was our best international pickup in NWSL, Vicky is a close second. Her services on corners and other set pieces has been a big part in our wins, and she excels when we play possession. Unlike her counterpart Sonia, she's adjusting well to the US style of play.

    Spencer- Who was it that said she wouldn't make the squad, hmm? I've been pleasantly surprised with Spencer, considering her disappointing season with the Spirit. She and Kerr work fabulously together, although it could be better having her as the supersub.

    Reynolds- She's cut back on that annoying tendency to get caught upfield on counters that aggravated me last year. With the abundance of outside backs, maybe a permanent switch to CB could help the backline's issues.

    Williamson- Inconsistent performances early, but I've seen her fix that as the season has gone on.

    Wys- Not ready to start professionally. She did the best she could filling in for Williams, but I think we could have won all those matches had Williams been available. Her kicks are insanely strong, though.

    Wambach- Why did she have to get hurt? She was just starting to find her groove at that point. And as much as we can argue that the team may play better without her, we've also had some losses where she was nowhere near the field.

    Barczuk- Played her way out of the lineup in the first loss to Houston, and with all the options on defense, will most likely be riding the bench for the rest of the season.

    Palmer- The forgotten one. Another who was the victim of injury and probably won't see much, if any, playing time for the rest of the year. It's a shame, too, because she had a strong match against Washington and IMO her having to leave the Chicago match was a big reason they were able to win.
     
  15. CoachJon

    CoachJon Member+

    Feb 1, 2006
    Rochester, NY
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    6/29/14 BC- I agree with your assessments, with the following comments/remarks.

    Lloyd- Carli is Carli. Gives 100% for 90 minutes, even when the opposition is playing "Hound the Carli" the entire match, and still producing. I wouldn't be surprised to see her step up her production soon.
    • Then she did not surprise you on Wednesday night :). That game may have been the most complete game I have seen from Carli in a Flash kit or in any kit. She was great. Also I think that she SHOULD be Captain Carli – the role seems to fit both her and the team. She called the team together on the field when Whitehill got hurt (Jazz should pick on players her own size) and clearly directed a strategy discussion at the top of the center circle. She also was THE voice in the huddle just before the 2nd half KO.
    • I will go on. Carli frustrates me with her play frequently, however I have said more than once that her game is better now than ever. And she works on it. Abby, HAO, Christie R. , Beuhler, and others are clearly plateaued or are declining. Carli is getting better.

    Kerr- ………. I never know if Good Kerr or Bad Kerr will show up.

    • I think we are seeing the Good Kerr more and more. The group of LLoyd, Losada, Spencer, Salem, Zerboni, and Kerr seem to work well with each other. I am seeing more flow side to side and back and forth and I like it.
    Allen- Did an admirable job in her first match against the top team in the league. Having seen her play for both the Matildas and the Wanderers, she's a good defender who just needs some time to adjust.
    • I disagree with her performance being admirable against the Reign – see my comments elsewhere. Although I blamed Aaran, not her – as you say – she needs some time to adjust.
    Sonia- She's turned out to be a dud. One great FK goal doesn't erase all the other times she's produced nothing. It's a shame, too, because I was really looking forward to seeing her play, and I've been disappointed.
    • I agree with this, BUT Aaran may have found the role for her. She really did spark the game and contributed significantly against Boston when she came in at the 74th minute. If that works again, then Sonia has found her niche.
    Adriana- She has stepped up her game in recent weeks after a lackluster start to the year combined with an injury. She'll need to keep it up to get the starting spot over Spencer.
    • As of Wednesday night, I think Jazz has the starting spot until Abby comes back. As with Sonia, I thought the 76th minute Adriana for Spencer sub was excellent and worked great.
    Vicky- Can we keep her forever? If Kerr was our best international pickup in NWSL, Vicky is a close second. Her services on corners and other set pieces has been a big part in our wins, and she excels when we play possession. ……….
    • Ditto.
    Spencer- Who was it that said she wouldn't make the squad, hmm? I've been pleasantly surprised with Spencer, considering her disappointing season with the Spirit. She and Kerr work fabulously together, ……….
    • IIRC, it was me. I thought she was a) not going to make the final cut in April, and b) was at risk when Bermudez was signed.
    Addendum: I want to see Wetzel more in games, period and more Palmer. And he must put Wys in goal for some minutes. Lines has proved in the past that he does not play his #2 keeper – so far that has not failed.
     
  16. BlueCrimson

    BlueCrimson Member+

    North Carolina Courage
    United States
    Nov 21, 2012
    Cincinnati, Ohio
    Club:
    Sydney FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    While I still think her hat trick match against the Spirit last season was her best match for us, this past match has to be a close second. They did show the Flash huddle on the stream while Whitehill was being attended to, and I just loved seeing Carli do most of the talking. There wasn't the over the top yelling like Abby might have been doing, but she definitely got her points across without all that noise.

    Even when Abby does return, I would like to see Carli remain captain. IMO she has earned it. When we needed someone to step up in that second half, she put the team on her back and came through for us. And I love that #CaptainCarli is now a thing on Twitter :D

    http://www.democratandchronicle.com.../flash-find-a-leader-in-carli-lloyd/11654039/

    I might disagree with Devo at times, but he is spot on here.

    I agree, and I think part of Sam's inconsistent efforts were due to having to re-establish the on-field chemistry she and Carli showed in spades last year. With Carli having to serve her suspension, and both of them being gone for NT duty, they weren't getting much time together. Now that that NT stuff is over until later, they're really starting to click again.
    I kind of hope Abby doesn't take her spot back the second she's cleared to play. This might be a little harsh, but IMO she needs to earn that spot back. Spencer has earned it, and I'd hate to see her effort on the field disregarded so quickly just because Abby is such a big name.
    Aw, I was just busting your chops a bit :D. I'll admit I had some doubts about Spencer due to her piss-poor season with the woeful Spirit, but a change in coaching has done wonders for her game. She has been given a golden opportunity with Abby's injury, and she's delivering solid play. Having two players with speed up top is working very well, since most backlines can't just focus on stopping one, they have to take both into account.
    I really think Palmer is doomed to ride the bench for the rest of the season. The last time she played was the loss to Portland where she spent the first half being torched by McDonald, and deservedly got yanked at halftime for Edmonds. She's another who effectively played her way out of the lineup, and I'd be shocked if she got another start this year.

    We are in complete agreement on Wetzel. She fits the possession style of play that we're seeing more of this season. And as much as I love Salem, I think Courtney would fill the holding spot better than Angela.

    If Lydia hadn't been away with the Matildas last month, I doubt Kels would have seen any time at all. And while her punts are just as strong as AD's were last year, that's the only thing she does better than Lydia IMO. Maybe in the TV match, if we get a good lead against our favorite punching bag SkyBlue, Lines might put her in for some minutes.
     
  17. CoachJon

    CoachJon Member+

    Feb 1, 2006
    Rochester, NY
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Just watching body language on the bench during games, it looks like Wys feels part of the team and has good rapport with the players -- I think keepers can get isolated (and some prefer it). I hope she stays when AD comes back. I think she has something (besides the big boot) that Lydia does not, but Lydia's experience right now overshadows Wys' potential, rightfully so.
     
  18. BlueCrimson

    BlueCrimson Member+

    North Carolina Courage
    United States
    Nov 21, 2012
    Cincinnati, Ohio
    Club:
    Sydney FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Rewatching some of our matches recently, I'll say one part of the play we miss Alex in- crosses from the flanks. I think Reynolds is a great defender, but her crossing has been so terrible lately. I can't remember the last time she hit a decent cross.
     
  19. hotjam2

    hotjam2 Member+

    Nov 23, 2012
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    poor game last night by the Flash(loosing to the Reign) especially after they got the lead in the 1st half. The fb's were almost non existent! They weren't around on defense, they weren't around on offense. The 3 attacking subs didn't do nothing exceptional(why not go for more defensive subs after the lead?). Lloyd didn't seem like she came to play. The only bright spot was Losada. She dominated the midfield with her sassy passing & dribbling and scored the only goal for the Flash. I'm surprised the sports caster, instead of calling her just 'Vicky', don't give a her a hyped up nickname like 'La Bamba' or Viva Lombada'!
     
  20. CoachJon

    CoachJon Member+

    Feb 1, 2006
    Rochester, NY
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Teigen Allen was on Soccer is A Kick in the Grass radio program last night 7/14/14. WYSL 1040 AM 92.1 FM. Twenty years old, already has 34 caps with Australia senior WNT.

    At 51:00 on the podcast:
    http://e5bfe32a60becf0835d8-980378b0ba9778abd3d8a461a1f5cec5.r41.cf1.rackcdn.com/KG-07-14-14.mp3

    http://www.soccerisakickinthegrass.com

    Flash are busy Wednesday 7/16/14.
    >>>>>> 11:30 am - Open training for season ticket holders - Sahlen's Stadium.
    >>>>>> 1:30 pm - Clinic for youth players in the afternoon - Sahlen's Stadium.
    >>>>>> 4 pm to 6 pm - Meet and greet at the Distillery, again for season ticket holders.

    I hope to go to the open training - if schedule allows.
     
  21. WNYChelseaFan

    WNYChelseaFan Member

    Apr 5, 2014
    NY
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
  22. WNYChelseaFan

    WNYChelseaFan Member

    Apr 5, 2014
    NY
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    I was going to take my daughter to the Distillery since we are season tix holders, but other things have come up.
     
  23. BlueCrimson

    BlueCrimson Member+

    North Carolina Courage
    United States
    Nov 21, 2012
    Cincinnati, Ohio
    Club:
    Sydney FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It really sucks to lose 2 keepers in one year to the same injury. At this point, I'm starting to wonder which one of the soccer gods we pissed off to have this much bad injury luck. But then again, with all the success the Flash have enjoyed, maybe we were due to have a down year.

    As much as it sucked seeing Kels struggle earlier this year while filling in for Lydia during the Asian Cup, those matches were a blessing in disguise. She got some valuable game experience that the team is now going to need, and judging by how well she did against the Spirit, I think she'll do fine.
     
    CoachJon repped this.
  24. CoachJon

    CoachJon Member+

    Feb 1, 2006
    Rochester, NY
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #49 CoachJon, Jul 16, 2014
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2014
    I went to the WNY Flash open practice today 7/16/14 at Sahlen’s Stadium. Very nice day 70 deg and partly sunny. I think there were about 80 spectators there, most of whom were clinic attendees with parent. Team wore white tops with red shorts and sox. Every player was there but Abby ( I see on Twitter Abby did participate in the clinic). Lydia was in her kit, had a full left leg brace on, and was walking around looking in good spirits. Whole team was relaxed and seemed very together. Jordan Roseboro, one of the three Flash amateur players was there, and I did not note either Ally Lee or Brianna Smith, but they may have been there too. A #25 GK was there, but I do not know who that is.

    Except Lydia, no one was bandaged – knee, or thigh – and no obvious ankle bandages.

    They pulled benches out on field, away from the spectators and had an opening conversation. Then stretching, a two-line drill finishing with a one touch back to either Pedro or Aaron, then a pass-and-follow with one touches drill using two adjacent 25yd by 25yd grids. I heard, “Teigen, you don’t know this one?” from one of the players. I could not follow the overall pattern myself – each player ended up at the corner of both grids during the flow.

    Then, on a half field they did a sequence of 6 attacking v 4 defending (the back line) plus keeper, then 6 v 5 (added Angela) +GK then 6 v 6+GK. Pedro rotated in defenders and Aaran rotated in attackers. They used two forwards, Sam & Jazz or Adriana and Sonia, and seemed to be working on finding the gaps for through balls to the forwards. Defense was working on keeping shape and communicating. Then they did 8 v 8 plus keepers, and I had to leave.

    During the 25x25 grid drill, the keepers worked out by themselves – Lydia spent quite a bit of time basketball-dribbling two soccer balls at the same time, one for each hand.
     
  25. CoachJon

    CoachJon Member+

    Feb 1, 2006
    Rochester, NY
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    More notes from after the FCKC game. Didi Haracic chews gum as hard as Kelsey Wys does. Abby was pulled away from the team after the formal post-game talks to sign some original oil paintings that were raffled off for Alzheimer’s. She smiled and shook hands and posed for pictures. This is what Abby does.

    I stuck around to watch players go through the autograph line. Scott Vallow was actually outside the fence and got a kiss from McCall as she passed by. Angela had her head down and walked right down the middle, not interacting with the fans. I wandered to the end of the walkway and found myself eavesdropping. Katherine Reynolds parents were there and got big hugs from Sam and McCall. Mr. Reynolds asked Sam if she was coming back next year. She said she really wanted to come back, but was unsure about what World Cup preparation might do to prevent that. Katherine spent some time talking with Angela, which seemed to cheer her up a little. Amy Barczuk came by and gave everyone a big hello, and then I realized I was eavesdropping, and left.

    I think the Flash left it all the field tonight - they should feel good for the efforts they made and for sticking with ball-on-the-ground soccer ( for the most part).
     

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