The official "April's Choices" Thread

The short list:

GOALKEEPERS (2): Siri Mullinix (Washington Freedom), Briana Scurry (Atlanta Beat);
DEFENDERS (7): Kylie Bivens (Atlanta Beat), Brandi Chastain (San Jose CyberRays), Joy Fawcett (San Diego Spirit), Christie Pearce (New York Power), Cat Reddick (UNC), Danielle Slaton (Carolina Courage), Kate Sobrero (Boston Breakers);
MIDFIELDERS (6): Shannon Boxx (New York Power), Julie Foudy (San Diego Spirit), Angela Hucles (Boston Breakers), Kristine Lilly (Boston Breakers), Tiffany Roberts (Carolina Courage), Aly Wagner (San Diego Spirit);
FORWARDS (5): Mia Hamm (Washington Freedom), Shannon MacMillan (San Diego Spirit), Tiffeny Milbrett (New York Power), Cindy Parlow (Atlanta Beat), Abby Wambach (Washington Freedom).

Notable absences: Heather O'Reilly, Lorrie Fair. Anyone else?

 

Very surprising about Fair but I think it makes sense. There really was no need for both Fair and Roberts and Roberts has shown better recently. Glad to see Boxx in--she must have kicked butt in training camp. I also applaud the decision to take Bivens over Bryan. All in all, this is about as good as could be expected. Can't wait until the tournament.

I do think heinrichs is going to have to givre Boxx some serious playing time in the friendlies just to get her accustomed to the team and playing speed, etc. I'm sure she'll do fine.

Must be devastating for Fair.

mingyung

 

Boxx

Very happy to see Boxx on the roster. Saw her play a few times in NY (and once in DC) this summer and was once again impressed. Plays a very strong and technical Notre Dame style of soccer.

Good for her.

 

Serlenga jettisoned herself a while back although she has since indicated she would like to return to the team. In all likelihood, Heinrichs isn't too keen on calling in someone who had turned down the Nats (however good the reasons were and in this case it was a somewhat marginal case of Serlenga wanting to concentrate on the Beat). A year ago, I would have agreed that Serlenga should get another chance but her form has not been so great lately, making her exclusion from the World Cup team understandable. Kluegel will probably get another look down the road as she has been playing more solidly of late. She is someone who has taken a while to adjust to the WUSA and it has affected her game and confidence. She has a lot of energy but the accuracy of her passing and ability to keep possession have been question marks.

mingyung

 

I thought that Nikki had 'jettisoned' herself. Everything that I've read quoted her as feeling that she didn't think that she could do justice to both the Beat and the NWT.

It appeared to me that Jenna just hadn't improved enough to keep her place in the mix...

 

Justice is served with Boxx being named!

 

Roster

Glad to see Boxx made the roster. She adds a nice option at dmid. Let's hope that means all Roberts' pt is out wide where she can be useful.

The real trick (and test of April's ability to learn from past mistakes) will be who gets actual playing time during the WWC and in what positions. Today, I choose to think positively and hope Abby and Mia start up top together for at least one first round game.

 

Heh. Looks like April made the exact cuts that I recommended in the "August training camp roster" thread. Yikes, does that mean terrible minds think alike? In any case, this is definitely the best XX we could have expected.

As for starting XI:

Mullinix

Sobrero Fawcett Chastain Reddick

Foudy/Boxx

Wagner Lilly

Hamm

Milbrett Wambach

...is my preferred lineup. I confess to being biased on the GK front. Scurry may be better, but Siri inspires more faith IMO. As for DM, Boxx is clearly the superior player but it's difficult to imagine Foudy as a sub (and her leadership abilities are certainly worth something). RB was also a tough call, but my reasoning is that Wagner is so attack-minded to the point where Sobrero would always provide sufficient cover in the back (whereas Pearce would probably leave too many gaps).

And I really do hope that Boxx gets plenty of PT in the upcoming friendlies to prove that she is good enough to start.

 

I look at this roster and can't help but think that April actually made some really good selections. I have no complaints with anyone on here. Would loved to have seen Mitts make it, but I understand why she didn't. Good job April, I'm pleasantly surprised.

 

she's still gimpy

 

Mitts get rip again.At least 3 d on the team she is better then.

 

13 "Founders" - yuck. The fact that there are only 2 keepers is an indication that we carrying too many old players and need extra legs on the field.

O'Reilly isn't back. That's not a surprise.

I'm dubious as to Shannon Mac being ready. If weren't already carrying so many old-timers, I'd be less concerned, but everyone is going to have to play for us to get through.

I'm a bit surprised that Tarpley wasn't a second collegian on this squad. I suspect she may have been bumped by MacMillan. I'm glad Bivens was added. I'm really scared about our backline. Chastain's game went to hell in a handcart this season and watching Fawcett get abused by Hooper on the golden goal last week was hopefully not foreshadowing. Old slow legs in the center. I'm just hoping that the speedy youngsters like Reddick and Bivens draw the outside back assignments - so someone has a chance to cover when Chastain and Fawcett get beat. I love Danielle Slaton, but I haven't seen her pre-operation speed, yet. I'm not sure I would've picked her. Hopefully that explosiveness has shown in camp - it wasn't there with the Courage this summer.

I haven't changed my opinion. We're too old - but we still have a chance to win it all, though I don't have us as the favorites.

 

Bivens is a joke and Slaton i don't even want to talk about.

 

I think this lineup is too small and will get beat to pieces. As I remember, Nigeria is VERY physical and not so small. Quick is fine (although I think Nigeria has speed) but often the "less skilled" defense to speed is to hack/beat them down.

 

I agree with those who are concerned about Heinrich's substitution patterns. I hope she means it when she says this is the deepest squad and consequently uses a number of different players and formations in accordance with opponents. I hope Heinrichs learned from the Olympics where she kept playing the same folks until they dropped. the reality is that these players should be experienced and savvy enough (and have done enough drills and scrimmages) where they can line up in multiple ways.

For instance, I see no reason why Chastain AND Fawcett have to be on the field together at all times (even if they work well together)--injecting Sobrero and/or Pearce and/or Reddick into the center would give us some younger legs to help when we encounter long-ball teams like Norway. We have enough depth on the back line to alternate through the tournament.

In general, I'd like to see Heinrichs mix it up tactically (as Arena did for the men's World Cup) but I fear tactics have never been her strong suit.

mingyung

 

I'm going to dismiss your posts until you can come up with a cogent argument other than "Mitts rocks!" The above is just an obvious attempt to tear down other outside backs.

Now if you has said "Sobrero is a joke" I might be listening. Bivens had a great year. Sobs, who was awesome in 2002 has really seen a drop in form this year. I'll definitely agree that Slaton isn't at full speed yet, but then Mitts is also still not 100% from her own leg problem.

Mitts, barring any further physical problems, should be in the mix for Athens next year.

 

I rather see Slaton at home watching it on T.V

 

so there isn't a rule that you have to carry 3 keepers??

elaine

 

So will an alternates list be named or can Heinrichs just choose whomever she wants to?

 

Never has been for the women. It was only formalized at the last men's WC. The fact is, you generally only use the 3rd keeper if you first have a keeper injured, then you get another one red carded. At that point, I would think we'd be in enough trouble even with a 3rd keeper on the roster. Given the age of this squad, I'd rather have young field player legs out there to take some minutes. It's a gamble, but a relatively safe one.

 

I haven't seen one, but we can assume the only alternates are the players in the last camp. Once the tournament starts, there are no substitutions.

I think with the exception of YOMITTS, nobody wants to see any of our players go down with injury before then.