Let the games resume. At least let us resume playing games that mean something. International friendlies and the All-Star game have kept the players away from the important task of bringing the Founders' Cup to Boston - with the Breakers name on it this time. Boston look to hold onto first place Breakers lead the pack at the season midpoint
WUSA Roster Report WUSA TEAM INJURY REPORTS AS OF 06/20/03 BOSTON BREAKERS: OUT -GK Tracy Ducar (tendonitis in both knees); QUESTIONABLE - M Devvyn Hawkins (L foot stress fracture); PROBABLE - F Ragnhild Gulbrandsen (L foot). CAROLINA COURAGE: OUT - M Hege Riise (R ACL tear); D Danielle Borgman (Shin Splints) PROBABLE - D Danielle Slaton (R knee effusion); D Carla Overbeck (R calf strain); M Unni Lehn (R hamstring strain). Suspension Summary 06/20/03 Player Team Suspension Reason Angela Hucles Boston Breakers 6/21 vs. Carolina Red Card (6/8 at Washington)
Angela was at the game last night, as was her Dad. He is a real Breakers fan coming up to watch the team even though she wasn't playing. After hearing about his travel schedule I'll never complain about the travel to Amherst to watch my kid play at MTOC. The Breakers deserved better from last night's game. Some of the offensive failures came from being too cute - lots of heel flicks and redirection play for the final pass. Some of it came from stellar defending by Carolina and Luckenbill. The 3-5-2 with Rags up top began to click in the second half. The five middies really controlled the play and Mellgren worked well out wide with some good crosses. Very unlucky for Aldama to get injured. It looked as if Boston had Rags ready as a sub, but the referee ignored the signal when the ball went out of play. Baxter got the goal off the ensuing corner kick.
The good news is, the Breakers are still in first at this moment. The bad news is that there are now five teams within one win of first place. Breakers cut off at the pass Breakers stumble, fall
Nat, Odds are travel didn't bother Angela's Dad. When your daughter (or son) needs the support of a parent, you do it. Especially given the erroneous red-card call. I'm sure the Hucles wouldn't have had it any other way. Parents support their children at all times, playing or not playing. And this was a crucial not-playing time. THANK YOU to the Hucles (including younger brother) for supporting their daughter, and showing a fine example of what it means to be parents and a family. .... Note to Mary O'Connell- when are you writing a follow up of this story, http://www.wusa.com/off_the_field/367744.html ? No better Part 2 as last night continued where the original story left off. Would be a nice touch.... emotional level/area that not often most people venture, but a most quality story none-the-less. ....
Aldama's injury was most unfortunate...the Breakers are not the same team with her out, as shown not only last night but the Gillette game. Mellgren's work rate seems to have stepped up since earlier in the season. Klugel continues to frustrate...decisions with the ball poor, more passes to the opponent then to a blue shirt...promising runs that end with her being dispossed long after she could have laid the ball off. Kudos to Sobrero and McCann...very solid game, they were in control of the back more often than not, argressively making plays instead of letting it come to them...and no Alphonse-Gaston routines either. O'Grady added a spark thought she was going to make something happen but left her passing touch at home...lots of balls too long too hard for anyone to get to. To utilize Rags effectively, some tactic adjustments need to be made..she just doesn't have the speed to play Breakers ball as we've come to know it. I was a little disappointed that she wasn't able to use her size more to her advantage, seemed like she was getting muscled off the play those times that was able to get to the ball. LeBlanc continues to impress although I was a little concerned at her lack of effort on Fotop's chip that hit the cross bar....looked like it took her completely by surprise or that she had no idea it was so close. So glad the heavy rain waited til AFTER the final whistle...forgot my poncho baggie this week.
Any updates on Heathers injury? I know that the report is a back contusion, but her injury happened right in front of where i was sitting and i could tell by her face that she was in extreme pain, so it seems more serious than a contusion.