STL @ Boston April 11th

I thought Boston looked strong in the last 20 minutes and then all of a sudden, Milbrett scores and it's over. Smith is good and pretty feisty from what I gather. Rodriguez is fast and talented. Our backline will have their hands full. And then there is Kristine Lilly. Also WNT players Hucles and Mitts.

Has anybody heard any reports on Ellertson? I thought she just got subbed out on Saturday, but I've read a couple places that she got dinged up a bit and was supposed to be looked at on Monday. I know she has recurring hamstring problems. Any news? Also, any updates on Cinalli that anybody's read?

The weather Saturday night is supposed to be bad in Boston, high of 47, low of 35, and showers. Too bad the Boston fans won't have the nice weather we had for our opener.

Local connections: Jennifer Nobis from the University of Missouri is on the Boston roster.

Hopefully, we will have some Athletica supporters up there even though most of us won't be able to go. Kia McNeill played her college soccer at Boston College and Nikki Cross is from Pembroke, Massachusetts and attended Connecticut.

 

Why don't you guys add your objective predictions?

Supposedly Boston is supposed to be very fired up after not having the greatest game against FC Gold. A-Rod and Mitts didn't play very well and Kelly Smith was their only bright spot for the most part.

Since this is Boston's first home game and they'll be looking to rebound I see either a 1-1tie or 2-1 BAHHHHHston win although hopefully we can pull it off.

 

I'm holding off on predictions to see if I hear any more information about Athletica's injuries. They really seem to need Ellertson's speed on defense. Boston has a lot of firepower with Smith, Rodriguez, Lilly, Latham, and Hucles and a speedy defender on the flank is a necessity.

I've also got to believe Cinalli would help the Athletica offense. Plus, I think it would be a big help to Hanks if Cinalli is healthy and can play. The two played together for three years at Notre Dame and I've got to believe they will work together well and Hanks will be more comfortable out there with her old teammate. Not to mention, Cinalli is quite talented and a member of US U-23 squad.

 

These first several weeks are shaping up to be about mistakes, and team speed on the counterattack. Of the three games I've watched thus far, quicker teams are really putting pressure on inexperienced/unfamiliar back lines and controlling play early. Slower, power/post players like Latham and Wambach just aren't going to be factors if its a track meet. I imagine that will change when players become more familiar with each other.

I am not looking forward to seeing Boston's speed in transition. At least Lilly should be on the opposite side from Melissa. Hopefully Ellertson is good to go. Her speed more than makes up for only a year or two in and out of defense.

 

Since I have finally made my prediction on the prediction thread, I might as well give my thoughts over here.

I predicted 2-2, although that is probably overly-optimistic if Ellertson and Cinalli don't play.

Incidentally, the people on the Boston thread are making jokes about Solo, which I find laughable.

Our offense against the Breaker defense-As I also stated on the prediction thread, I just rewatched the Boston/Gold Pride match. Boston's defense doesn't appear to be in the same league with Chicago's defense. They are certainly not near as big and physical, meaning that hopefully Chalupny won't spend half the game on the ground. The Breaker defense is experienced. Mitts, Goffi, and LePeilbet have been around forever. I thought in the Gold Pride game that the Goffi/Mitts side of the defense was especially vulnerable. On the other hand, Saint Louis has got to get Daniela more involved and has to get Hanks on the same page with everyone else. I'm hoping Aluko on our right front will slip by their defense at least once in the game. Our corners and free kicks have got to be better than last week. Having Cinalli available would help.

Our defense against the Breaker offense-If Ellertson is out, we're really going to have trouble with their speed and ability up front. Between Smith and Rodriguez, and with Lilly setting them up, our defense is going to have to step up. I can almost predict A-Rod will blow by our defense at least once or twice and maybe this week, she'll figure out that the object isn't to shoot the ball straight at the goalie. The midfield is really going to have to make sure that Boston doesn't get the ball through to their forwards very easily.

We have the edge in goalkeepers, no doubt about that, but if they get too many chances, it will only be a matter of time. Not that Luckenbill is bad.

It's a battle between the youngest team in the league (Saint Louis) and the oldest team in the league (Boston). Saint Louis' average age is just 24 and they have no one over 30. Boston has 5 players that are over 30 (Goffi, Hucles, Lilly, Mitts, and Smith). Too bad we're not playing them in 90 degree weather.

I don't have any idea how the crappy weather expected up there will affect the game.

 

Don't you think at least on the local sports we'll be able to see highlights from the game? I assume the local Boston stations will have highlights and our stations will have their feed.

 

This release

http://www.womensprosoccer.com/newsitem_ektid11148.aspx?team=stlouis

indicates that only Cinalli is injured. Presumably, then, Ellertson will be OK for the game.

Has anyone seen a preannounced lineup for either team?

 

I haven't seen a pre-announced lineup, but I think it hurts that Cinalli may not be healthy. It seems like she was a big part of the preseason offense in the scrimmages. And it would have to help if she were paired up with Hanks, since they were teammates for so long.

I was trying to figure out who they might change. They're really short up front without Cinalli. Aluko was one of the most dangerous players last week, so I definitely don't want her to sit. They could try sitting Hanks and then bringing her in late, but then who do they move up front. They need Ellertson's speed and Tancredi's toughness on the backline. Does anybody know if Pistorius is on the active roster or developmental roster?

You're probably not going to change midfield. Woznuk (unless they would move her up front), Chalupny, and Daniela are mainstays. Stoia played pretty well last week (unless they want to get Francielle in there).

I guess they could go this way:

--------------Solo----------------

Ellertson--McNeill--Larsson--Tancredi

Francielle--Stoia--Daniela---Chalupny

-------------Woznuk--------------

--------------Aluko----------------

Then bring Hanks in fresh in the 2nd half.

I'm not sure what is Francielle's natural position at midfield, so the above may not be logical.

 

Solo in the net, Tancredi near the penalty box glaring at anyone who comes close, Chalupny in midfield and everyone else hangs out up front and tries to score a damn goal. 1-1-8

edit: I guess pull Ellertson back to defend after Tancredi gets red carded for dislegging an opposing forward.

 

Like last week we might see A-Rod break in alone on Solo with her speed so that should be interesting since those 2 practiced a lot together with the USWNT so I'm sure they know each other's tendencies.

 

I just reread Tony's story on the game.

http://www.womensprosoccer.com/newsitem_ektid11148.aspx?team=stlouis

Would somebody please tell him that Rachel Buehler does not play for Boston, she plays for FC Gold Pride.

I just checked on the weather for Boston and according to weather.com, the rain should be ending about game time, but it will pretty cold.

So what are our options to track the game? I know Matchtracker. There's Twitter, but I don't think any of the Athletica players twittered last week. Any other options that anyone knows about?

 

I ref'd a couple games today. It is raw out there. Home for a shower to warm up before going to the tailgate about 5 (it starts at 3 ). Game time temps will be about 35 with good chance of the rain continuing.

 

No other options now but supposedly WPS is working on other options to watch online. Even if they had radio that is inadequate since soccer is a visual game that needs to be seen to really know what's going on. But if they had radio it would definitely better than that stupid matchtraker.

 

It's too bad today's game isn't in St. Louis. Perfect soccer weather.

 

Darn, Chicago is already making more mistakes on defense than they did last week. Krzysik and Dalmy both go after the same player leaving somebody wide open to cross to Wambach and she's pretty open, too.

Okay, I have the matchtracker on for Washington and Chicago and it does basically nothing except update stats now and then? That's it or am I missing something?

 

Join the group WPSFansGameDay on Twitter. It's by fans for fans. If you go to the game and can twitter from your mobile phone then you can send the group a direct message about what you are seeing. It's a play by play from the perspective of the fans in the stadium.

 

I'm on that, too. No cell however. Using every source I can. Thanks!

 

Sadly, that's it.

 

Thanks goodness, I only have to follow 5 of our 20 games like this.

Well, it's about match time.

 

Looking at matchtracker, I seriously doubt that alignment is right, although I guess it could be.

Aluko at midfield, Tancredi at midfield, Chalupny on the backline. I guess all possible, but......

 

I don't always trust MatchTracker.... I know it had some things wrong in previous weeks.

LOL @ the first 'event' being Tancredi fouling someone. Go Tank! ^.^

 

Just got a "strong defense by the breakers" on twitter. Does that mean Athletica are pressuring?

God, this is driving me crazy.

Edit: 1 cross, 1 corner

Yes, we are pressuring

 

We seem to be committing quite a lot of fouls, aren't we?

 

well apparently we are beating the heck out of them by the fouls being shown lol