blogspot predictions for Saturday Washington vs. Philadelphia – Washington’s unquestionably the hottest team in the league right now. Seriously, what other team could afford to sit Mia Hamm for the first 45 minutes? Philadelphia has struggled recently, but many believe that’s because Coach Krikorian has rested some of his key players to help them rest up from nagging injuries. It’s a move that might backfire if Philly struggles out of the gate on Saturday. Washington tied Carolina for total goals scored with 40, so the Charge’s defense will have their work cut out. If it’s a close game, Philly has the edge. If it turns into a shootout, they won’t be able to keep up with the Freedom. I like the team with the hot hand going into the playoffs, so I’ll go with Mia and company. Washington 3 – Philadelphia – 1 Atlanta vs. Carolina – The Beat were on fire down the stretch as well, and soundly defeated Philadelphia this past weekend to secure the 4th and final playoff spot. Tom Stone’s got some great weapons in Charmaine Hooper, Cindy Parlow, and Homare Sawa, but Carolina’s awesome trio of Fotopoulos, Prinz, and Riise is almost unstoppable. This should be a high-scoring affair, with the Courage’s defense giving up a few less chances than Atlanta’s. That’ll be the difference. Carolina 4 – Atlanta – 2 For anyone who wants to read the entire article, which is pretty good, go here:http://my2cents.blogspot.com/2002_08_11_my2cents_archive.html#80193279 It discusses the best 11 in the game, and talks about awards like MVP, ROY and Coach of the year. Sadly, the best 11 required the player to compete in 80% of the matches, so Mia wasn't included. I'd put her in there on merits alone. A goal ever 63 minutes is just plain phenomenal.
From the Washington Times: Hamm Will Come Off the Bench Again By Ken Wright "In women's soccer, there are stars like Julie Foudy, Brandi Chastain, and Tiffeny Milbrett, and then there is Hamm, who has no equal and has been playing like it."
from USA Today by Beau Dure: Time for a few predictions: #3 Washington at #2 Philadelphia, 1:30 p.m. ET: Mia Hamm as a second-half sub? That's been her role since returning from injury, and she's one reason why the Freedom avoided another disappointing year. Other reasons: rookie forward Abby Wambach wasted little time establishing herself as a top scorer, and Siri Mullinix regained the form that made her the goalkeeper for the 2000 Olympic team. If you still don't know the Charge players, introduce yourself. They're missing injured English star Kelly Smith, but Marinette Pichon is the league's second-leading goal scorer (14) and Melissa Moore is the league's leading goalkeeper (1.00 goals-against). Hamm and Wambach will make sure the Freedom gets at least a late goal, but Pichon needs only a couple of chances to lead the Charge into the final. (I know, that's awful, but it's impossible to write about this league without doing the cheap puns.) PHILADELPHIA, 2-1 ---------------------------------- My problems with this prediction: Well, obviously, the score. We'll get to that later. First of all, how many players are on this team? Did I hear three? No. I think the correct number is eleven. Also, the guy who wrote this has obviously never seen C.Moore shut down Pichon, or he'd sing a different tune. I'm looking forward to this match. I know I'm biased toward Washington, but I truly believe they're going to win this one.
Jim's quotes looks like he hopes to bring her in for the second half but if we are in trouble he will make the move before that.
Yes and no "As the road team, the Freedom will be allowed to dress the usual 16 players for the game. However, the full roster will travel and sit on the bench, so Gabarra does not have to choose his 16 until lineups are due." Sounds like a decent compromise to me.
From the league site Showdown in Philly By Dan Lauletta 'The Team Nobody Wants to Play' By Dan Lauletta Who'll Be the Hero By Karyn Lush
Charge are in Freedom's way By Dan Lauletta Oopsie, I see Kevin has already posted this article. Sorry! I'm gonna leave it up just cuz I'm too lazy to take it down.
WUSA playoffs begin Saturday with Charge facing the Freedom Philadelphia hosts Washington in evenly-matched encounter by Brian J. Hegarty
Thanks to Adam Z. for posting this in the Charge forum From Soccer America: Momentum and Mia make Freedom the team to beat By Scott French, Senior Editor
Soccer America prediction: Philadelphia 1 Washington 2 I think that's the second Washington win prediction I've seen. I don't give my credence to predictions, but they do make me feel a little better.
Fear's bigsoccer prediction league is almost unanimous in predicting a Freedom win, which actually makes me more nervous than anything.
Scary aren't they? Predictions are sneaky creatures, because taken on face value, and given unbiased, they're typically accurate. If said team plays the way they should, then they win, but so many variables are thrown into that. All I hope is that Washington does indeed play how they're capable of playing. If they do, I'm very happy with any winning prediction I see.
Showdown in Philly by Dan Lauletta A New Attitude: With First Playoff Berth, Freedom Exudes Confidence by Brian Straus, Special to The Washington Post
That New Attitude article has one of the best pics I've ever seen. LOL, look at the grin on Abby's face. I love it.
weather Weather Forcast for Philly is: 87 F but feeling like 92 F. It will get as hot as 94 F. It is mostly cloudy with 57% humidity (ewww...) The wind is blowing at 5 mph. There is a 30% of rain (isolated T-storms)