If Sky Blue has the money, and I'm assuming they did since they made the trade, this is an absolute steal. If I was Atlanta, I don't know if I would have traded Heath and Kerr for the number four and eight picks, let alone throw in Aluko. Aluko should be happy, because I believe that she is pretty good friends with Asante. Heath should be happy because she gets to move close to home.
I really like the fact that Asante is back. and although I also like Aluko, I don't know if she's compatible with Tasha (if she stays ofcourse, btw: when will we know that? ) I think both Aluko and Tasha need someone who has a good clear view and gives them balls where they can run into (a wambach-type). Anyway I like the new players for now, hope it matches on the field.
Kerr would be worth one pick or maybe not even worth a top 5 pick given her goal production so far in WPS. Heath is a franchise player. To get her for a #4 pick? Grand theft. Aluko for a #8 pick? Also high way robbery. Heath and Fletcher (if she is played at holding mid) are excellent to good passers.
Tasha can either run onto it, head it, sneak it in(rebound), or create something all she needs is for someone to pass her the damn ball into an open space. From what I've seen in the sparse Beat matches I've watched Aluko's got speed and seems to be nifty, she also had a time getting the ball last season. Distribution is always key but they don't have to be "right on the foot balls" for these ladies to score, they just need someone to pass it to them into open space instead of getting a turnover or passing a terrible ball under pressure. It would also add another dimension if they could get enough chemistry to pass off to eachother when going for the kill. All of this is still up in the air though. Kool your metaphors, lol!
I thought she did pretty well last season. One of the few that tried to make things happen from that end of the field. She also got some clutch goals.
Well, we'll have to disagree on that one, but "clutch goals"??? She only had 3 goals all season, and 2 of them were PKs [(1) pk to win a game, (2) pk in a 4-1 loss, and (3) diving header in a 2-0 win]. I don't think including PKs is a good way to evaluate someone's offensive contribution. Of all the players who took more than 10 shots, she had the lowest percentage "on goal" except Averbuch [who seemed to take hers from very deep all season - what you call "hopeful" shots]. And although there were few goals anywhere on the team, and consequently few assists, Rosanna only had 1 assist all season, despite seeming to play primarily in the hole behind the strikers, or even as a striker, and playing in all 24 games. Heck, Jessica Landstrom had 2 assists in only 382 minutes! 1 non-pk goal and 1 assist all season despite starting 17 games and playing in all 24 doesn't really impress me. Whether she has individual ability or not, I don't think she's a good fit if we want (or need) a midfield that sets up our forwards.
Rosanna is a free agent, so SB has to do nothing to "get rid of her". But why now sign a Brazilian player who most likely will not around much the first half before the WC break and spend travel money for her to come from home or Europe between National duty? Play Kerr and Heath as Mids and move O'Reilly up to forward? when Aluko is away with the English team before the break.
Well, HAO is going to be away w/ the WNT b/f the official two week break so your plan has at least one problem.
This question makes no sense to me. Am I missing something about WWC training camp schedules and then the actual Cup itself that you seem to know?
No; my assumption is that WC players will not completely miss the first half of WPS season (if I am wrong, correct me) and thus either one or the other will be playing (if not even together) on SB at some time before June.
Either way roster depth is going to be a big factor this year. We've struggled with that and it looks like they may be trying to correct that. The ladies are going to have to hit the ground running. I hope they're enjoying their breaks, because they're really going to have to crank it out this year. I spent most of my time last year cursing at the midfield so I hope it will be reconstructed.
One, it's not official official yet, you just never know. Two, I'm trying to keep mum which I think SBFC is doing too as well, because it may hurt season ticket holder purchases. I know how addictive Pineapple Princess Fever is, but please keep in mind they are keeping a pretty stacked team for the fans, so PLEASE continue to support SBFC. I know I will.
Well isn't that just lovely. I like how Sky Blue FC left a cryptic "stay tuned for a big announcement tomorrow!" on twitter but didn't bother to do so on facebook because they knew the facebook status would be hammered with dozens of negative comments about Kai's departure (and rightfully so).
People also have to be rational. They still get to see her play and the new home she will play in is fairly accessible, so one could intend her home games. No need to start a riot.
Well we don't have to discuss "Are Kai and Aluko compatible" anymore. I absolutely don't like the fact that she leaves SBFC, as she is my all time favorite player and I started to support Sky blue because she played there. Anyway I will continue to support SB but I just have to support philly too now. I think and hope she gets a good coach with Riley. If he can make A-rod scoring goals, he will definitely succeed with Tasha.
One more cheesestake joins the party . Anyway, maybe the big news for Sky Blue was the signing of Sjogran?
I like her, and the midfield had a tough time getting the ball to the feet of the strikers last season - I think some of the changes (including this signing) have addressed that problem. BUT ... who is currently on the roster to play up front and put the ball in the net, besides Aluko? I thought I read that Kalmari was signed, but Panico is not under contract (yet)? Not sure and just wondering.
Kalmari is signed - she was tied with Tasha last year as the leading scorer and will not be gone for the WWC. I also think Heather and Tobin can and will score a few goals. And yes - the big news was Sjogran - the mf of the year in Sweden and regarded as one of the best women footballers in the world - so I think that's pretty big. There is still more to come.
I realized that the management at SBFC and Philly are both different and there may be other factors involved that I'm not aware of but the parallels between the signing/loan of Sjogran and Seger can not be ignored. Both are Swedish and were hailed as the best midfielder of the year and now look what happened to Seger. Traded for a second round pick in a draft that many are saying is not even deep. I know I'm still bitter about the trade but maybe GMs should ease up on the language when describing these internationals if a year later they are going to be tossed aside for a second round draft pick.