Congratulations to the team for the first ever victory... The team won even though players like Solo, McNeil, and Aluko were missing. I think it was Tina E's first ever goal in WPS... I was afraid that Miyama might have gotten hurt...But, she was OK... I think the game was only available for viewing for people in Atlanta and Chicago areas...Comcast Sports South for Atlanta and Comcast Sports Chicago for Chicago... I watched it even though I am on West Coast...Comcast Sports Chicago is one of the regional sports networks that I have access to...Oh, the game wasn't blacked-out...Unlike Cubs and Sox games...
My guess is that Atlanta will have to reconfigure their roster for next year. Remember, they'll only be paying Athletica's players for half a season this year. Even without the expansion draft last year, very few teams kept more than 10 of their players from the previous season. Of course, multi-year contracts play into it a little. Just from what I know with Athletica, a 2nd place team in 2009 that finished strong (except for the bad playoff match). They only retained Solo, Ellertson, Fletcher, Weber, Cross (although she was signed away by Gold Pride and then signed back after being released), Chalupny, Aluko, Walter, and Daniela (never played in 2010). That's 9 out of 22 on a 2nd place team that had the best record in the league over their last 16 games of 2009. Considering Cross really left Athletica and then came back, it was really only 8. One thing I learned after last season is that rosters in this league are not very stable.
Interesting theory. However, your theory is predicated by wishful thinking that ATL have a strategic vision and big-picture thinkers. I, however, look at past performance as a barometer for the future. Their brief history in evaluating talent has been mediocre at best. What kind of clowns would give up the 10th & 12th picks for a back-up GK & the 23rd pick that they used for a D3 player, the one & only franchise to do so to date. Net loss of that lopsided trade: 2 starters for Old Pride. Trading for GKs is risky business. GKs are like FG kickers in pointy-ball. You expect both specialists to be competent most of the time, but 2 poor weekends and they're out of a job. Why? Because they can't play any other position, because they're specialists. You can make a case for proven GKs, but Whitworth is not a proven commodity. Montoya took a page from Billy Beane, who made a killing trading relief pitchers, because he knows he can always make one. Yes, one can make a mistake with evaluating a GK. But ATL cemented their incompetence in this whole trade fiasco by wasting a draft pick for a D3 player no one else was interested in. Ummmm ..... does her name appear on the roster anywhere? Fastforward to today. Impressive fantasy about maintaining the roster for next year is not an adequate explanation for essentially paying CHI to take Whitworth off their hands. Give her away for a 5th-rounder and swallow your pride. But NO! Here's my #1 for next year too, just take her off my hands. They essentially paid CHI to take her off their hands. What kind of clown would do that? The argument that deferring a draft pick straight-up for the following year in the same round is bonkers. Especially since ATL are all but assured of finishing in the bottom 3 this year. If someone offered me $100 free cash today or next year, I'd take it today, while ATL's clowns will defer it for next year.
Will someone who watched the game (either in person or via the comcast telecasts) please give a game report/describe what they saw in the game? Some of us are interested but live in TimeWarner areas. Thanks.
I want to amend this statement by saying that ATL will take the $100 today, give the $100 to me, and make me promise that I will give them $90 next year.
Here is my stream of conscious babbling take on what I saw(be forewarned. Eudora Welty I ain't): I thought Atlanta controlled the pace of the game, especially in the first half. We played well through the midfield (still struggled a bit with Kerr at holding mid, but she has shown improvement). We did suffer with Ocampo as the only forward present at the game. Ocampo has good ideas and feeds the ball in well, but she is slow. Ocampo was paired with Yamaguchi as a strike partner for most of the game. Chalupny played high and centrally for good portions of the game, especially in the second half when Ocampo began to tire. I really enjoyed watching Yamaguchi, Miyama and Chalupny work a very effective passing triangle. Defensively Atlanta was pretty solid. Ellertson is a rock. Nolin played well. Robinson is still a little hesitant to move forward and attack from the back, but had a good game. Now if we could just find someone up front to put the stinkin' ball into the stinkin' net. Chicago struggled defensively in the first half and gave up an insane number of corner kicks. They were much stronger in the second half. Sitch had her hands full with Chalupny. Rapinoe had trouble getting the ball cleanly and the team struggled to generate offense in the absence of Carney and Aslani. Cristiane got no service whatsoever. Nogueira, with the exception of one incredibly powerful shot on goal, might as well have been on the sidelines. The writer of this account makes no claim of being or even attempting to be unbiased, fair-minded or even handed
I did attend the game however the disclaimer is I am a Red Stars Fan! I will say the venue was terrific!! KS and the Beat have something special in that facitllity!! Since this is an Atlanta thread I will leave it to a Beat fan to give a game report. My only observation is: I found it astonishing that CRS gave up at least 10 corners in row that led to the goal.....ugh! Even though my team lost it was a blast! Thanks Atlanta!!
Buffoon, Clown and Idiot here. Sorry, I have not been on in a while...been working hard on the business and on the new signings. Just wanted to check in and comment on your (KS..chachundo) knowledge of which you speak. I can only say to you that a LITTLE knowledge makes one dangerous. I would hope that you might wait to see what happens prior to making concrete statements as to our abilities and our future. I won't go into it here, but would be happy to speak to you anytime about our decisions. You speak to one facet of a mutli-faceted challenge/issue. Either way...you don't have to support the owner, GM or coach...just support the ladies at each and every match. They work hard each and every day to win and to provide our fans with exciting, end-to-end action. So, please continue to come out and cheer the ladies on. See you on Wednesday.
Mr. GM, Writers including me have speculated on your side of the Whitworth trade in large part due to a lack of information (“a LITTLE knowledge”). A little transparency on the teams’ part would help. League wide, even besides salary, we the fans know nothing about any player’s contract- length, option years, if guaranteed, etc. It is sometimes hard just to know who is considered a development player. Stuff that is available in other sports. Help us to be more knowledgably fans. Thanks
I'll take you up on your offer about discussing your player transactions. We can start with: 1. What net benefit did you get from trading the 2010 10th- & 12th-overall picks? 2. Why give up the 2011 1st-round pick in addition to offloading Whitworth? We can start with these. Please check your PM. I will keep our discussion private & confidential, unless you don't want me to.
chachuno, sent you a PM. Happy to speak to you by phone anytime. RUfan, I do believe that we are very transparent. However, you will not see us give every intimate detail or contract terms...that is not possible for any team. Of course, if you have a question, just ask...and I will try to answer as transparently as possible. THanks for your support of the Beat!
Shawn, thank you for taking my call a few days ago and for being gracious about accepting my apology after slamming you on the boards. You showed you were a much bigger man that I am. Thank you for sharing your fascinating insight about the goings-on in your team. I think your fans are as excited as you about now having the right ingredients for making a push for a playoff spot. I wish you and your organization the best.