Solving Abby's problem.

noorwell · Aug 13, 2005

6thMan said:

If she is the FACE for American Women's Soccer, it is in trouble. Why do we need a face? Who is the face of American Men's Soccer?
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Freddy Adu is.

Hamm-star · Aug 13, 2005

noorwell said:

Freddy Adu is.
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I would argue that at the moment it is Landon Donavan.

6thMan · Aug 13, 2005

Hamm-star said:

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I would argue that at the moment it is Landon Donavan.
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I would argue that there is no face to the US Men's team either. Fredi and Landon are not a Michael Jordan, Lance Armstrong or a Wayne Gretzsky.

Hamm-star · Aug 14, 2005

6thMan said:

I would argue that there is no face to the US Men's team either. Fredi and Landon are not a Michael Jordan, Lance Armstrong or a Wayne Gretzsky.
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I mentioned Landon Donavan as the most recognizable player for the Men's team. i did not neccessarily mean he was the face, just more well known then Adu.

6thMan · Aug 14, 2005

Hamm-star said:

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I mentioned Landon Donavan as the most recognizable player for the Men's team. i did not neccessarily mean he was the face, just more well known then Adu.
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I agree with you Hamm-star. Back to Abby. Really she is not the one, the chosen one. She is contrived. Mia, she is not.

GLBryan · Aug 14, 2005

6thMan said:

I agree with you Hamm-star. Back to Abby. Really she is not the one, the chosen one. She is contrived. Mia, she is not.
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Chosen maybe but contrived is a bit of an overstatement. Her #'s speak for themself but will agree that she is not the complete player she will hopefully become.

I'll tell you everytime I see Shannon Boxx play, I am more impressed. She's the complete package.

MRAD12 · Aug 14, 2005

GLBryan said:

Chosen maybe but contrived is a bit of an overstatement. Her #'s speak for themself but will agree that she is not the complete player she will hopefully become.

I'll tell you everytime I see Shannon Boxx play, I am more impressed. She's the complete package.[/QUOTE
I agree. To me, Boxx is becoming the face of WNT.
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6thMan · Aug 14, 2005

MRAD12 said:

GLBryan said:

Chosen maybe but contrived is a bit of an overstatement. Her #'s speak for themself but will agree that she is not the complete player she will hopefully become.

I'll tell you everytime I see Shannon Boxx play, I am more impressed. She's the complete package.[/QUOTE
I agree. To me, Boxx is becoming the face of WNT.
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Boxx is more of a Michelle Akers type of player. Solid, strong, consistant and a team player. I think she is a much better choice than Abby.

Abby is a great player but listen to her speak to the press. Contrived is what comes to mind. She wants to be the one. Mia did not want to be the one but was forced into it. Abby will never be that person.
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GLBryan · Aug 14, 2005

6thMan said:

MRAD12 said:

Abby is a great player but listen to her speak to the press. Contrived is what comes to mind. She wants to be the one. Mia did not want to be the one but was forced into it. Abby will never be that person.
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I think Abby is very mindful of "continuing the legacy" and of a greater responsibilty to the game. That may come of as canned or contrived at times. I think she is trying to live up to the example that was set before her.
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6thMan · Aug 15, 2005

GLBryan said:

6thMan said:

I think Abby is very mindful of "continuing the legacy" and of a greater responsibilty to the game. That may come of as canned or contrived at times. I think she is trying to live up to the example that was set before her.
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Excellent points.
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Awe-Inspiring · Sep 6, 2005

6thMan said:

MRAD12 said:

Boxx is more of a Michelle Akers type of player. Solid, strong, consistant and a team player. I think she is a much better choice than Abby.

Abby is a great player but listen to her speak to the press. Contrived is what comes to mind. She wants to be the one. Mia did not want to be the one but was forced into it. Abby will never be that person.
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Nobody forces teams to adjust their defenses like the Wombat. Boxx doesn't do that. She is a good player and deserves to start, but let's not get carried away. Other teams don't quintuple-team Boxx in midfield to avoid having passes go through her - like they used to do to Akers. Boxx is not as intimidating as Akers, not as good a passer, not as good a shooter, not as good a header, not as good at controlling the ball and not as blessed with a game sense.

The Wombat is nearly as intimidating as Akers and probably as good a header. Plus, like Akers, she makes other teams alter their approach.

And, the Wombat consistently comes up with big goals in big situations - the sign of a champion.

As for her dealings with the press, remember she's only 25 and not a natural speaker. She'll improve. Perhaps Hamm was more polished at 25, but I'm not sure. I seem to remember Foudy, Akers and Chastain more often dealing with the media in 1996 (when Hamm was 24) - perhaps a reflection of who was better at dealing with the press then.
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