Lindsey's hair is darker than I remember it being back then. Thanks, Fear. Solo doesn't need to be a full-squad starter for a long time. We have other talented goalies and she isn't needed or very wanted. Never been impressed by her and today proved to be no different.
Did anyone see Kelly Lindsey in the US v Scotland? What was up with her hair? It wasn't its usual "boof"-iness. I, obviously, am not part of the "anti-Solo group." There must be an unwritten rule about this. That doesn't mean, however, that I don't mean what I say. The first time I ever saw her name on a national team camp roster, I had never heard of her before. I was annoyed that this little no-namer was challenging a couple of keepers that really liked, and I was as anti-Solo as they come. I believe my exact words were, "Who the heck is this girl, and what kind of a name is that?" When I finally figured out she's a Husky, I knew I had to give her a chance. If she weren't a Husky, unfortunately I can't honestly say I would have given her that chance. And I understand that most people aren't Huskies. Now I've seen Solo make mistakes, and if the WC started tomorrow I wouldn't want her on the roster. But the benefits of her on the Nats in a friendly far outweigh the drawbacks. It's building the future versus...what? A little embarrassment over giving up a couple of goals to the Scots? Besides, as far as those two goals go, even as CyberRays fans and a backline half made up of CyberRays, we ought to be able to acknowledge how awful the defense was in the first half. First, they allowed a Scot to get the ball in the box and take a poorly contested shot. Solo made an impressive diving save, but had no chance to recover before an unmarked Fleeting put away the easy 6-yard rebound. On the second goal, I do believe that Solo committed too early, but again, where was the defense? Literally, where were the defenders? Bryan and Benson were completely out of position. Sobs did all she could, but Brandi had a chance to win the ball before Fleeting got to it (even if it meant giving up a corner), yet failed to do so. And let's not forget how Solo prevented a third goal facing an opponent 1v1 just before the half with all the defenders trailing. When the game ended, I knew the Solo-haters would come out in force to the boards--not because she did all that badly, but because giving up 2 goals to Scotland is atrocious. And I don't mean you guys here in this thread, but if you ever look at some of the other forums, Solo is certainly taking more than her share of the hits.
5 all-star Rays SOUTH ALL-STAR RESERVES GK Briana Scurry Atlanta D Nel Fettig Carolina D Carrie Moore Washington D/M Kylie Bivens Atlanta F Charmaine Hooper Atlanta F Shannon MacMillan San Diego *Will start in place of Carolina's Birgit Prinz* NORTH ALL-STAR RESERVES GK LaKeysia Beene San Jose D Kate Sobrero Boston D Erica Iverson Philadelphia M/F Angela Hucles Boston F/M Maren Meinert Boston I thought Sobrero did not deserve to be named over Lindsey. Hucles is questionable, too. Thoughts?
Moore and Luckenbill have earned a shot at the National Team given their performances this year. I mentioned that they should be thrown into the keeper pool based on that. Since there is the US Cup coming up, that would be a good time to give them a look before WCQs. It's really open with Beene doing all right despite the team not making the playoffs, Mullinix and Scurry back to form, and Luckenbill being a surprise. Out of that group, only Mullinix isn't playing in this game but she got a call back to the NT camp. Out of the 4 playing (Beene, Luckenbill, Moore, and Scurry) Luckenbill and Moore haven't been called to NT camp, but it's going to happen because their performances at the club level cannot be overlooked. Snub #1: Interesting mix: Mitts was named to the WNT roster, yet was left off the All Star Roster--simply overlooked. Footnote on this: Anyone hear Rob Stone's bit on Heather during yesterday's NT game? Snub #2: Fotopolous left off the team as well. Someone give her a chance--she's earned it again. Fair enough... Only Solo is from the college corp. With the NT being weighted towards the WUSA players, it's a tough go for anyone that age, unless they possess very exceptional ability--she and Wagner (until she gets drafted) fit that mold... Note for 2003 ASG: Put the best of the WUSA against the USWNT. Oh, and place it after the WWC. Cheers!