Well...what truly sucks is this game is not on TV ANYWHERE. So you'll have to be at Herndon in person or believe what you read from Beat fans (we've got an obvious bias) and articles. From CyberSoccerNews: San Jose Braced for a Grudge Match with Atlanta 'Rays Ready to Prove Their Win Was Legit by Inge Bond Oh here we go again -- The TRUE nature of what happened in that play is something I will hammer into doubters till the day I die. The CheetoRays won that match fair and square. Seitz did not win the game for San Jose despite what some folks think. Oh yeah...my girl Ann Cook better play in this damn match..like the full 90..or I'll be PISSED!
CyberSoccerNews predicts: Beene; Chastain, Lindsey, Bryan, Alagich; French, Tisha, Barr, Sanchez; Pretinha, Katia which is the same as last week, except Lindsey would be in for Cromwell. The CyberRays website has: Beene; Lindsey, Cromwell, Bryan, Alagich; French, Tisha, Barr, Sanchez; Pretinha, Katia which is the same as last week, except Lindsey would be in for Chastain. My guess is that Chastain will not be able to start after playing for the US earlier in the day. It probably won't be as issue for Beene and Bryan, since chances are Bryan won't play too many minutes vs England (she may not even make the roster) and as a keeper Beene should be able to go 180 with no sweat. So, I tend to think the Chastain-less lineup contains the correct starting 11. However, I'm not sure I buy Lindsey as a left back. It would certainly surprise me to see her playing outside. I think it's more likely that we'll see Lindsey and Cromwell in the center with Bryan and Alagich as outside backs, though since neither of the latter two is left-footed, it's hard to say which one will play on which side.
Unless April does with Brandi what she did with Tiff against Canada--say, "we don't need you, would you like to be able to play for your club team instead?" Nah, nevermind. I think Brandi would want to play for the US first and foremost. :| I cringe at the thought of taking Thori out of her right-sided comfort zone. Of the two, I'd rather see Di play left back for the day. Lindsey at left back is a really weird idea, especially if fitness and injury have been what have kept her off the field--why put her at an outside position where she'd be expected to run into the attack more often? I hope she's playing centrally, back in her organizer role where she's so effective.
well if i remember correctly i think Boof played a little of left back in college before i think she "permanently" switched and played centrally. regardless of which position she plays i'm just glad she's back on the field... i've really missed that extra oomph she brings to the games GO BOOF! ETA: ;D doesn't equal
The only time I recall Boof playing outside back was when ND was running a 3-4-3 her freshman year. As I recall, Boof played right, Grubb centrally, and Sobrero on the left, but granted I didn't get to see a lot of games, anbd she certainly could have played left on occasion. Of the three of them, I do remember that Boof was the one who stayed home, however. Sobrero would make runs into the attack, and Grubb would move up for free kicks. Boof always stayed back.
Boof on the flank would be weird...very weird. Let's hope that doesn't happen. Beat, CyberRays on Familiar, Yet Different, Collision Course http://www.theatlantabeat.com/360536.html Pre-game notes from C-Rays site: http://www.sjcyberrays.com/news/gnotes_atl030517.pdf
The final roster for the US-England game is out, and Bryan and Scurry did not make it. Thus, the only players whose availability for the Altanta-SJ game could be reduced by national team call-ups are Beene, Chastain, and Parlow. I expect Beene to play for the Rays whether or not she plays for the US earlier in the day, so it looks like each team will have exactly one key player who might not be able to play as many minutes as usual.
Scurry is in for us. but Serlenga and possibly Marci Miller are out... which gives our defense some headaches.
From the latest CyberRays newsletter: Three CyberRays -- LaKeysia Beene, Thori Bryan and Brandi Chastain --were in U.S. national team camp this week preparing for Saturday's USA-England game in Birmingham, Ala. In addition, Atlanta's Brianna Scurry and Cindy Parlow were also in national team camp. Bryan and Scurry were released from camp today and will join their teams in Atlanta tonight. The other four players will be driven to Atlanta following the national team game and will be available to play in the WUSA game. I agree with DS, Beene will play tonight regardless of what happens this afternoon. 6 defenders are on the roster, so maybe, just maybe, Brandi will only play a half, which would help with tonight. Hopefully they won't be too stiff after the drive.
On the news last night they said the players were taking a limo to the game. At least they'll get some leg room! Someone lock up the mini-bar though!
Good news to hear that both of our players only put in a half, bad to hear that Parlow did the same. She's been helping the Beat a lot defensively lately by dropping back, which in turn has caused her to not be a big offensive threat. She's been doing a ton of running, so I wouldn't be surprised if her role in tonight's game is different than the last 2. Beene should be good to go, and knowing Brandi, she won't lose a step.
well starting line-up looks like this: LaKeysia Beene, Thori Bryan, Dianne Alagich, Brandi Chastain, Amanda Cromwell, Keri Sanchez, Betsy Barr, Michelle French, Tisha Venturini-Hoch, Pretinha, Katia. pretty much the same one as last game...
Chastain started this match and got a yellow in the 35th minute. Bivens committed a foul on Brandi in the 36th, and because it was her second card, is ejected. So far, we only have two shots, one from Brandi and one from Tisha (who is all over Matchtracker). 7 fouls from us, 6 for them. Tish and Kylie both have 3. The Brazilians have been pretty quiet. Katia has committed a foul or 2, and Pretinha was offsides early on. The Beat seem to be dominating this match, so them having to play a man down is a huge, huge, huge help for us. Bivens has been such a key player for them, too.
Just got in...had to hit restart... Boy, that's a busy "Misconduct Summary" list. We can get that goal back.
I didn't see this game, but for some reason I feel certain the loss was all the referee's fault. He obviously made the incorrect call on a throw in at some point, and that undoubtedly led directly to the Atlanta goal. Dirty, stinking, cheating refs!
And, by the way, how far in the dog house must Mandy Clemens be to not get into this game? It's pretty sad when the Rays are playing with an extra player, down a goal, throwing everyone forward, twelve minutes to go, and Sawyers pulls a defender, looks down the bench for someone who can get that game-saving goal, and picks... Ann Cook! Ouch. (I think Ann Cook is a fine, solid, reliable player, but she's hardly the first name I think of when I need a quick goal off the bench.)
As much as I had hoped, pre-season, that Clemens would contribute to the 'new and improved' Rays offense, she never seemed to find her element - she was playing high-school, cute soccer, when everyone else was playing strong. I'd take Barnes over Clemens and maybe push some of the vets forward, at this point. Still not feeling confident in our Brazilians. BondOne
Emily Burt has been dropped down to Atlanta's reserve roster...I would hope the 'Rays would jump at the chance to pick her up when/if she goes on waivers. She's a tough, quick attacker with a nose for the net, and I'll bet she'd like to come back to that Bay Area!
Beat Shut Out 'Rays, 1-0 http://www.wusa.com/press_room/361472.html Some pictures: http://www.sportsline.com/soccer/photos There's 3 listed in there, towards the top. At least Washington and NY lost. We're still tied for 4th with NY, but our goal differential puts us ahead of them. Boston and SD play today. If Boston wins, they will be tied for 1st. If SD wins, they will jump into 3rd, and we'll get knocked down to 5th. So, Go Breakers!
Mostly the same info Atlanta's early goal enough to beat CyberRays http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/5889435.htm Beat 1, CyberRays 0 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2003/05/17/sports2113EDT0616.DTL
Re: Re: 5/17: San Jose @ Atlanta pre/during/post [R] I was thinking the same thing... Wasn't Ian Sawyers the coach at Stanford while EBurt was there? If we don't try to get her off waivers, it won't be because we don't know what she's capable of.