Just wanted to say attended the game Sunday, Flash totally dominated! Mid-field was very strong, Bock was amazing. Not a weak spot on the team , nice to be able to pull Morgan off the bench for a quick goal. Will be at the game Friday night.
I was impressed as well. Although I was under the impression that Coach Lines might go back to the 3-5-2 formation he used against Atlanta. I was surprised to see him go back to the 4-3-3, but it was effective against SB's outside forwards. Hoping for good weather on Friday night!
I kind of like having 4 on the back line, if there is a weak spot on the team its been right side defender {Kandace Wilson} has been lit up a few times. Ali Riley is one of the fastest attacking defenders I have ever watched play. I have yet to see a player get by her so far this year.
Would someone who has watched the home games please report on how Edwards, Bock, and Seger are balancing their midfield play? I'm assuming that Seger is always going to be the more advanced player w/ Bock & Edwards given the defensive responsibilities. But I'm really interested in how that's actually looked shape-wise and balance wise both in the 4-3-3 and the 3-5-2. I like Bock but I'm very high on Edwards ability to boss a midfield as the holding/dmid and manage possession. I would have her on the WWC roster, but I'm not the coach. Just based on fouls called (and the one tv game I saw), it seems Bock has been given the "be physical" green light. Thank you
FYI, they capped her before she made the move to defense. I don't think they (or anyone else) knew that she'd become a world class defender at that point.
wish i'd seen this. wilson is one of the players i've been touting, and one the uswnt head coach seems to be blind to. maybe pia sees what i'm missing.
Just watch the FSC ATL-WNY game. Wilson was torched by Chalupny. No surprise Wilson did not play the following week against ATL.
Kool - you're right on all accounts. First, Seger has been given the green light to go forward and distribute out of the midfield. She's been very good at playing the ball through to all the forwards and spreading that distribution out. It's causing nightmares for the opposing defenses. Bock and Edwards have primarily hung back. Coach Lines' 4-3-3 works fairly well, but I thought that the 3-5-2 alignment vs. Atlanta was a new twist....something that I liked a lot. Someone else mentioned that Kandace Wilson is having a bit of trouble on the right flank - that's true for a lot of the long ball situations....she's been burnt a lot on a straight dead-run, but does have the ability to close it down fairly quickly by getting back into good position. I personally like the 3-5-2 alignment because it forces a lot of shut-down play in the midfield. I think this actually helps Kandace out - especially if Zerboni is played on the same side with her. You're right about Edwards as a stabilzing force through the midfield - but Seger is really the force there. Then again, getting through both Edwards and Seger will be a challenge for any team - add Bock to the mix and you don't have a lot of chances to move through that midfield easily. I'll be there tonight - anyone else going? Aaron
Oh yea - she's very good.....but I think there are times that she tries to do too much. At the end of the SBFC game, you can tell she was completely gassed. My hope is that she can temper some of the upfield runs to space them out throughout the game. There was a time against SB where she went upfield 3-4 times in a row. Luckily enough, Ali can get back into position if there's a breakdown. I just don't want to see one of her best abilities become a liability for the team further down the road..... Just my $.02.... Aaron
Cant make it to the game tonight, one of my daughters has a game. Ali is in amazing shape, from what I hear she trains harder than just about anyone. I would worry more about all her travel playing for her National team, putting wear and tear on her body.
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...The Flash started very strong; Lines said they 'passed the Breakers out of the park in the first 30 minutes;' I agree - they were playing exactly the same style and pace as they did with all the starters playing ...I saw very few fans leave when it began to rain a short time into the second half. Just a few left during the last 10 minutes of the game. ...Alex Sahlen got a huge cheer from a contingent of her supporters when she came into the game. ...Nikki Washington and Niki Cross were hard for WNY to deal with in the second half. ...Zerboni scored her second goal after moving from the right side to the left side part way into the second half.
Shaky. Brandao is not a player at this level. If she was a musical instrument, she would be a drum. After the first ten minutes Boston ran their attack through the right the entire remainder of the game. Central and right side looked good.
Oh yeah, Engen is the real deal. I agree on Brandao - Wilson seemed to have an off game, but it was hard for me to tell, most of the action she had was on the far side of the field from me.
No, Wilson was on. Boston tried to penetrate her side for the first ten minutes of the match, but no luck. She and Zerboni worked well to thwart those early attacks.
Agreed on Engen. After watching her last year in Chicago she was one of the most consistent players all year. Shame she probably isn't going to Germany (Unless this Mitts injury doesn't get better) but I'm not complaining since the Flash will be able to keep her Good to hear the Wilson and Zerboni played well together.
WNY Flash Highlights and Reaction vs Boston 5/13 - on Womens Soccer United: http://ning.it/jRPYH0 Great goals of Zerboni!!!!