Briana Scurry Sharolta Nonen Homare Sawa Maribel Dominguez For the full Starting rosters: http://www.wusa.com/press_room/366275.html (the homer in me is asking where Bivens and Nancy are... )
If the internationals get much chance to prqctice together, they could win. They really are the stronger side. However at this level it counts to have had a good bit of time playing together- I predict that the US side will win.
All-Star Reserves Named http://wusa.com/press_room/367502.html Hooper takes Sawa's starting spot and Parlow named reserve.
You have every right to ask that question. Just look at the playing time and stats of some of those chosen. In particular: Heather Mitts Danielle Slaton
Re: Re: All-Star Starters include 4 Beatniks It didn't help that Kylie was listed as a midfielder in the voting ballot.
Kylie should have made this team as a defender. She is having a great year, probably even better than the first two where she made the All Star team. Danielle Slaton doesn't even play a full game because of her injuries. And you are right Flix, she was put in with the mid fielders and anyone who follows this game knows she is a defender. In order for her to make this as a defender, she would have had to be written in. Who picked the reserves anyway?
Triditionally the coach of all star team picks the reserves. In this cae it would be the same coach that is leaving Fotop off the roster in favor of lesser producing forwards. Fotop is not my favorite forward by a long shot but her numbers are undeniable by anyone with half a soccer brain: Tied for #1 in points Tied for number 2 in goals Tied for number 1 in assits Number 9 in shots (Says somthing for quality of her shots) Tied for number 5 in shots on goal If this kind of production is ignored then why would anyone expect the more obscure qualities of a defender to be noticed by anyone with the coaching IQ of the average garden slug, like Gabarra. Bivens is a MUCH better defender than: Grubb Mitts Slaton (Since she is unable to play a full game due to injury) and, based on WUSA play, which is the ONLY thing this should be base on, Fotop is a better forward than: Hamm Wambach Milbrett Parlow The selections (popularity contest) of the starters make this a joke and then the coach choices make it worse. I just hope no one gets hurt. (At least Kylie will be safe from injury on the field)
Nicely put. This whole thing is rediculous. Like you, I am not a great Fotop admirer, but shes done her job... and with a weak team.
ATLANTA'S AUGUSTYNIAK AND CAROLINA'S BOYD NAMED AS ALL-STAR REPLACEMENTS - Defenders Danielle Slaton And Dianne Alagich To Miss All-Star Match Due To Injury -
I guess they can't take the entire Atlanta Team. Way to go Nancy. You deserve the call. Kylie still got the shaft because of the format and for them placing her on the voting as a midfielder.
1 Goalkeeper (Scurry) 2 Defenders (Nonen, N. Augustyniak) 2 Midfielders (Sawa, Parlow) 2 Forwards (Dominguez, Hooper) That's pretty good balance.
For those that did not see it in other places Fotop has been added as a "Commissioner’s choice" or some such. I guess the league is trying to keep from looking too stupid in spite of the coach. Bivens does not have numbers to support this kind of selection. Quality defensive or support play just does not produce stats. I wonder just how many phone calls, letters, and emails it took to get this slighting reversed. Story: http://www.wusa.com/allstargame/all_star_update/368089.html
Pretty obvious, since he didn't make a pick for the Internationals as well. But I have to (grudgingly) agree, Fotop has been a consistant scorer in this league.
Kylie normally wouldn't put up the points with goals and assists but she is probably the best attacking defender in the league. (Not just Americans) It is a shame to keep her off of this team.
http://www.herald-sun.com/sports/18-363586.html Dominguez won the "Bend It..." contest while Hooper was paired up with Fleeting to win the corner kick contest.