The Red Stars come back home to play WNT Flash in the middle of the day on 4th of July. This time the Flash are bringing Abby Wambach and former Red Star Carli Lloyd. The Red Stars still haven't found anyone that can put the ball in the net consistently. Other then Chalupny, the midfield just can't hold on to the ball and the defense has shown some vulnerability lately after looking strong with Fuss taking over. Boy, IMO would Mewis and Buczkowski look good in a Red Stars uniform right now. And in my humble opinion, a big miss by Chicago on both accounts. May be a long and hot afternoon at Benedictine on the 4th.
1 PM wow. Did not know it was that early, I should be able to make it, hopefully I am not too hung over from the July 3rd Fire game.
I don't disagree, but it's water under the bridge now. Although I think Bywaters will become a very good player, I don't necessarily think that was the right pick for this particular team. But it is, what it is. I'm thinking it will take somewhere between 35 and 39 points to make the playoffs. At 35 points, KC or WNY would have to stumble a bit. The Red Stars would need 23 points in their last 10 games to get there, which equates to a 7 wins, 2 ties, and 1 loss finish. Not likely to happen and a loss to WNY in the next game and I'd say you have the final nail in the coffin. I'd say lets try some of the younger players. Give Leon a chance to get a lot of minutes in. Let's see what she can do with this team.
Right. The CRS chances of making the playoff are slim and slim is getting ready to leave. But it's my question as to where the Red Stars are heading. Their decision making for the future. Speed and aggressiveness and accountability are all good clichés, but you need players that know what to do with the ball, good decision makers, skill with the feet. How does FCKC get all that young talent? They made a point of getting them. Yes, they were lucky to get Cheney (mass skills), but they drafted Melissa Henderson, Courtney Jones, Mewis (sigh), Buczkowski, Tymrak and now they have Teresa Noyola. All ball skilled players. And young. Again, many posters have mentioned how FCKC holds on to the ball better then any team in NWSL This is not by accident. This is the pros. Sure you need speed but you need ball players as well. We need more Chalupny's. I'm tired of watching my team having to advertise other teams stars as promotions. We should be advertising our own stars. - One day when we get them.
Good post. My two cents on KC's ball skills: Courtney Jones is more a power player, obviously decent skills and can cross the ball but the midfield gets the ball to her in good places. The KC midfield does that with Henderson as well; Henderson however is also more of a skill player as you call it. Mewis is a good young player, too, but in some ways fits the mold of the US national team as we know it - primarily noted for superb athleticism and incredible competitiveness. The ones who bring the special possession skills for KC are: Cheney (received by allocation) Desiree Scott (also allocation) Erika Tymrak (college draft) It also helps to have the likes of Buczkowski (free agent) and Farrelly (free agent). But in recent games, the additional piece to the puzzle that has made KC so dangerous coming out of the midfield has been Erika Tymrak who works so well with the others. She's been that last extra creative spark and is proving to be a tremendous draft pick, perhaps the best pick from the last draft. But it all starts with the allocation of Cheney and Scott.
also, andonovski was smart enough not to stick with the one note cuellar, and diversified his play and attack. he still uses speed, but that speed now comes from jones and her ability to outrun and cross effectively. i agree tho, that the engine room of kc is its strength. what the stars need is a healthy boxx in the middle and some more effective attacking up front to play off chalupny.
Very nice 1-0 win for the Redstars. First half was a little shaky and Wambach probably should have scored a couple goals but the Redstars tightened up in the second half and the assist on the goal was a perfect pass.
red stars-wny http://windycitysoccer.net/Home/Entries/2013/7/4_Red_Stars_Shine_over_Flash.html http://windycitysoccer.net/Home/Entries/2013/7/4_Red_Stars_Sidebar__Abbey,_Carli,_and_Lori.html http://chicagolandsoccernews.com/leagues/nwsl2.php?article_id=12489
I really had a good time yesterday at the CRS vs WNY game. To some of you a 2,000 crowd may not be impressive, but somehow Benedictine looked if not sold out, it was packed. What I liked is the souvenir stands were 3 deep with people. Big walk-up crowd. Soccer lovers of the women's game ARE in Chicago. More needs to be done to get the word out going forward and next year. I think Rory Dames had a good game plan. Fuss was on Wambach the whole game like white on rice. I also like the combination of Dominguez, Leon and Fuss up front. I really like Leon who was not afraid to take on defenders. She will be a good addition to the Red Stars.
I think you meant Grings I also liked the three of them up top and Leon made a good first impression.
Made it to Fire & Red Stars game. Forgot sun block, but remembered camera. http://www.pbase.com/donmacgregorphoto/0704chiwny