When a lineup of 20 becomes 15

Discussion in 'USA Women: News and Analysis' started by TOTC, Sep 29, 2003.

  1. TOTC

    TOTC Member

    Feb 20, 2001
    Laurel, MD, USA
    I'd hate to think this, but I wonder if we're about to paint ourselves into a box (not Boxx) because of the numerous players who are indeed hurt on our team.

    Chastain (foot), MacMillan (ACL), Mullinix (shoulder), Hucles (shin splints), and Danielle Slaton (knee tendenitis) are at various stages of hurt coming into the quarterfinals.

    You wonder the degree to which these injuries were hidden from the coaching staff of the U.S. team during August training camp.

    Oh, sure, that MacMillan was a known quantity busting her buttocks to get back into the lineup, and Brandi's foot got the better of her after the first half vs. Sweden. But would you have gone into the World Cup with just 75 percent of your lineup totally match-fit?

    Knowing this, of course, the addition of Boxx, Bivens, and The Wombat make perfect sense. But you wonder if, had there been enough time before lineups had to be faxed to Zurich, the addition of a Kluegel or Fair or even a Chalupny would have made a difference.
     
  2. jbs01

    jbs01 Member

    Oct 8, 2002
    carrboro
    "even a Chalupny" ???!!!!???

    Chalupny is playing GREAT. The team would be lucky to have her as playmaker at the front ot the diamond. Wagner, on the other hand, has been mediocre, at best. She's great at snagging a pass with her feet, but her passes have been way off, and she has been turning the ball over as much as she has been connecting.
     
  3. TOTC

    TOTC Member

    Feb 20, 2001
    Laurel, MD, USA
    My point:

    When a roster of 20 becomes 15, your choices are extremely limited as a head coach.

    April's failure to pick 20 totally healthy players (yes, even to boost team harmony by retaining a rehabbing Shannon Mac) limited her options in the Germany match.

    Note: She only made TWO SUBS.

    You wonder what happens if you could bring more attack off the bench.

    At least, more than we got!
     
  4. kool-aide

    kool-aide Member+

    Feb 1, 2002
    a van by the river
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    In all fairness, I don't think folks knew about Hucles' stress fracture until it was too late. As I'm not the team doc, I could be very, very wrong. She played in the UVA scrimage, didn't she (again, memory hazy)

    I think Mac could have played vs Germany given her outing vs NK. I think her not playing was a coach's decision not based on injury. She didn't shy away from the possibility of physical contact and her touch was as good as anyone else's vs NK.

    Siri's shoulder, well, was any other keeper actually going to get on the field?

    Slaton, well, I'd have to agree that maybe she shouldn't have been on the roster but I didn't really like any of the other defensive options.

    Chalupny, she's a bit small but she's fantastic in the middle of the park. I think she is definitely going to be getting lots of pt in the (perhaps not too distant) future.
     
  5. kevbrunton

    kevbrunton New Member

    Feb 27, 2001
    Edwardsburg, MI
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    My biggest complaint is with Parlow. Is it too much to ask to get in good enough shape to go a full 90? My god, you have just played a whole season in a professional league. It's not like you had to try to stay in shape while working somewhere until the NT camp started or something.

    She was by far the most dangerous player in the attack yesterday and we have to pull her at 60 because, like usual, she's gassed.

    Can you imagine the attack if she could have stayed in with Millbrett taking off Bivens rather than Wagner?
     
  6. sokrandlaw5

    sokrandlaw5 New Member

    Jan 16, 2002
    Somewhere near and f
    Your memory is correct. She played two of the three periods against the UVA men. The team was originally treating her for shin splints but finally determined that she had a stress fracture. This was determined after the WWC began.
     
  7. Poachin_Goalz

    Poachin_Goalz Member

    Jun 17, 2002
    Athens, GA.
    She hasn't really been an effective "full 90" player for the Beat this year either. In the past she would usually save her best efforts for the National Team.
     

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