Solo/Ryan catch-all thread part 1

Re: Solo Benched for Semi-Final Against Brazil...

Must be her shoulder. She's been stretching it at times in-game.

I won't be sleeping well tonight. Hopefully Scurry's in form mentally as well as physically. How does a defense gel with a GK who can be questionable with her feet at times, having been previously used to one who was skillful. Please god, not a " '99 Germany match" fluke (gasp)!

 

Re: Solo Benched for Semi-Final Against Brazil...

Alas, here is a link! http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=466854&cc=5901

 

Re: Solo Benched for Semi-Final Against Brazil...

I thought Scurry should start against Nigeria just in case she was called into action later. US fans need to hope there's no rust.

 

Re: Solo Benched for Semi-Final Against Brazil...

Baffling move. I agree with Foudy and Diccico, wrong move. Why change now?? Baffling.

 

Re: Solo Benched for Semi-Final Against Brazil...

I'm pretty sure this was planned in the event the USA faced Brazil. Bri started against them in June, and she's definitely a better at making quick reaction saves. She can't distribute the ball like Solo and I don't think her overall positioning is as good, but she does bring the amazing saves.

My main concern is rust and the reaction of the rest of the team. Ryan's got balls - people will call for his head if this goes awry.

 

Re: Solo Benched for Semi-Final Against Brazil...

I've liked Scurry better in the leadup to the WWC, but I have trouble understanding why make the move now. I can partially understand the move, but if this was the plan why not use Scurry earlier in the tournament?

 

Re: Solo Benched for Semi-Final Against Brazil...

There is a thread questioning whether the ESPN announcers are on drugs. Perhaps one is needed for Ryan on that topic. The team makes the semifinals with hope that it has developed good chemistry to reach that point. Now he changes keepers? Baffling indeed.

 

Re: Solo Benched for Semi-Final Against Brazil...

Interesting, very interesting. I've been enmeshed in my real life and haven't checked any soccer news for the last several days. I've missed a bunch, it seems. This move is not the first one of the tournament where Ryan has decided (well in advance) to use players that played (w/ success) against a particular opponent. I remember comments that he'd decided on the starting line-up vs Sweden based on the the players (and tactics) that were successful vs Sweden in Algrave.

I'm not "worried" about Scurry. I just hope Ryan realizes that the Brazil we'll see tomorrow is NOT the Brazil we saw a couple of months ago. A) Marta will play B) Brazil won't be wearing nametags and will connect passes & runs w/ each other.

 

Re: Solo Benched for Semi-Final Against Brazil...

Any link to this interview? I'd like to see it. I'm not questioning you, I'd just like to see the interview. He's the coach and it's his call to make but I'd really like to know his reasoning behind it.

 

Re: Solo Benched for Semi-Final Against Brazil...

Here is an AP report ....

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_y...slug=ap-wwcup-us-goalkeeper&prov=ap&type=lgns

Some interesting comments made by Julie Foudy ....

 

Re: Solo Benched for Semi-Final Against Brazil...

This is just bizarre. Solo should be pissed. You don't use a keeper for the opening round, and a quarterfinal, then switch for the semifinal. A lot of success that a goalkeeper has is a due to confidence... this could not be good for Hope's confidence. I know Solo hasn't been perfect during this tournament, but, it is just strange. I noticed in the article that the plan was to have Solo return to start the final (if they make it).
I really don't understand what Coach Ryan is doing. His substitutions have made no sense all tournament, and now this? I think the US needs to bring Tony "the mustache" back.

 

Re: Solo Benched for Semi-Final Against Brazil...

Then Solo should say to Ryan, "You don't want me for the semifinal; then you can do without me for the final, too." I think Solo will quit the NT after this debacle, and then Ryan can use the wrong-side-of-40 Scurry to his heart's content.

 

Re: Solo Benched for Semi-Final Against Brazil...

For really the first time in this tournament, I don't think we will win. I still think we "can" win, just not "will" win.

 

Re: Solo Benched for Semi-Final Against Brazil...

Ah, gotcha! I'm watching the game but I missed the pregame stuff so hopefully I'll see it at halftime. Thanks!

 

Re: Solo Benched for Semi-Final Against Brazil...

Scurry is a tough cookie. Jim Mike must be peeing in his pants right now.

If Ryan had any inkling that he was going to make this move, he should have told Hope, Scurry and the rest of the team before the tournament even started- "Hey, I really like Scurry vs. Brazil, so if we get them, don't be surprised if I go with her." On ESPN, Foudy said the team didn't know until last night, so the decision seems to have caught everyone by surprise.

 

Re: Solo Benched for Semi-Final Against Brazil...

Apparently he talked to Scurry about it before the WC started.

I've supported Ryan so far, but this is unbelievable, and shows a real lack of respect for Solo and the rest of the team. He's comments that Solo's confidence is "not [his] concern" are also really not what I've come to expect from him. I am not impressed.

 

Re: Solo Benched for Semi-Final Against Brazil...

Both of these statements make sense to me. For Ryan to make a move like this and NOT talk to the team well in advance is quite counter productive to team chemistry. Particularly as it sounds like Solo didn't know and is decidedly unhappy--if her unhappiness is this clear to the press/fans it must be even more clear to the team. A divided team and a team not 100% focused on winning the game and not 100% focused on supporting each other will find winning even more difficult.

Reason #73 that Ryan is either a) over his head b) coaching scared or c) a fool. D) all of the above is also likely.

 

Re: Solo Benched for Semi-Final Against Brazil...

If true, that is far worse, since he didn't see fit to talk to the rest of the team (or at least Solo) ahead of time. And, yes, Greg, Solo's confidence is your concern. Unbelievable.

 

Re: Solo Benched for Semi-Final Against Brazil...

I think Hope's professionalism and team spirit will over come any of her hurt feelings. Give the girl some credit.

 

Re: Solo Benched for Semi-Final Against Brazil...

"He has his reasons."

Now THAT's how to throw your manager under the bus.

*wishes I could give BigSoccer rep to Solo for that remark*

 

Re: Solo Benched for Semi-Final Against Brazil...

Just out of curiosity, is this course of action how you would have advised Keller in '02? or Brad during that point when (honeymoon or whatever) that he didn't play in some qualifiers (or was it a smaller tourny?) before that? And how did you feel about Big Bad Brad retiring from int'l play after the '02 cup?

 

Re: Solo Benched for Semi-Final Against Brazil...

Here's a quote I found on Goff's blog for the Washington Post

Some other interesting quotes on the Blog