according to weather bug Saturday Partly cloudy then becoming mostly clear. Lows in the upper 50s. Highs in the upper 70s.
From the injury report: (http://www.wusa.com/press_room/356810.html) ATLANTA BEAT: PROBABLE - F Conny Pohlers (L knee contusion); D Ifeoma Dieke (R hamstring strain); M/D Kylie Bivens (L ankle sprain); D Sharolta Nonen (R calf contusion).
Yeah Nonen got creamed toward the end of the Washington game, but I didn't realize the Kylie was hurt. We need both of them.
I don't know bout the rest of you folks but I've only seen one Cyberrays game so far this season..the Washington game several weekends ago. The second half really stuck out for me...the Cyberrays dominated possession and had a helluva lot of corners but were not able to show anything for it. Pretinha had a good match. That will be one key in this match..neutralize her. In the Freedom game it seemed like Pretinha had one too many touches on the ball. It also looks like that Sissi is not the Sissi of old. In fact maybe Sissi is getting old. So far Clemens hasn't really done anything for them. One thing I read about in the San Diego game was that the Cyberrays were getting really physical with their players because they found out that the ref "allowed" them to play that way. Everyone here is well aware that the Beat can definately play that way if need be.
It turns out that Kylie actually sprained her ankle in the first 25 minutes and played the rest of the game on a bad ankle. Ouch! It didn't appear to slow her down. She must be a tough player.
San Jose Not Impressed by Atlanta With a healthier roster, the 'Rays look to unseat the Beat by Inge Bond http://www.cybersoccernews.com/wusa/sanjose/030430sjc-atladv.shtml Sawyers needs to get his head out of the sand - the three teams the Beat have played are either even or above his team in the standings, (two are ahead of the Beat).
Sawyers is either an ass or an idiot. I hope the Beat shove the ball right down his arrogant throat. I'm gonna say 3-0, Beat!
From CyberSoccerNews: Beat Look to Keep Unbeaten Streak Alive The league leading offense is ready to attack San Jose by Dan Tomayko
Take your pick of derogatory names for Sawyers. He truly epitomizes a lot of what is worst in coaching. He yells inappropriate remarks more that Stone ever has (And Ston is NOT exactly a quite coach) and he seems to not care about the situation in the game. I have seen his yelling distract a player on the ball and lead to a turnover or a goal directly. He needs to learn one coaching lesson that all the great coaches learn sometime: No coach ever won a game for the team but many have lost them. I do not see their defense keeping the Beat from attacking at will. Brandi was VERY off her game for the last several games even the NT game, understandably. Without her anchoring the defense effectively Beene will not be able to keep the defense effective virtually alone. The Beat’s high octane offense will score several BUT SJ does counter well. 4(or 5)Beat - 2 SJ. Oh: SJ may score first in ths one, making Scurry mad.
Didn't Sawyer make some off color comments about Mia and her divorce situation to players prior to a game against the Washington Freedom (1st Year of League)? I thought I read that somewhere that Jackie Little stated as such. He is supposed to be a terrible coach to play for. His comments regarding the Beat must be out of frustration with his own team. On a final note. Don't you wonder why all of the teams with the big trades during the off season are near the bottom of the standings!
A 'Rays fan's $0.02 A lot of CyberRays fans would agree with you on that...and not just about what he said about the teams Atlanta has beaten. Awww...Tommy! How sweet! Are you sure you're the same guy who cussed a bunch of us out last year and later said this: Did he really change his tune, or does he simply know there's already enough fuel on that fire? I know I personally am feeling the love all around. Hey, look, Fear's taking the opinon of one San Diego fan as gospel. Gee, didn't Fear used to make fun of Spiritless fans? Now they're his best source of information! He's obviously gone through a transformation, even if Tom Stone hasn't! Seriously, though, the 'Rays have always played physically, and against less-physical teams like Boston or San Diego that's going to show. The Beat have been more physical than the 'Rays in the past, however. I expect both sides to be in full smackdown mode this weekend. The Beat is very clearly the hotter team at this point. The 'Rays are going to have to play at a level we haven't seen from them yet this year to be able to beat Atlanta.
Re: A 'Rays fan's $0.02 I read Stone's comments as dripping in sarcasm. Its pretty obvious these teams don't like each other, and unlike DC, this rivalry is not based on respect. Haven't you heard the Beat now play the "beautiful" game. But don't worry this will be a Southern BEATdown. Starting lineup: Scurry Bivens -- Nancy -- Nonen -- Gaston Miller -- Serlenga Parlow -- Sawa Hooper -- Dominguez I predict a Beat victory 3-0
Re: Re: A 'Rays fan's $0.02 I did, too. You know we CyberRays fans love Tom Stone! =D I'm a big Maribel Dominguez fan, so I'm going to "blame" her for a lot of that. I was thrilled someone (FINALLY) signed her...and I have to said I was dissappointed that it was the Beat. However, despite my anti-Beat attitude I actually found myself cheering for you guys against Washington which has always been my 2nd favorite WUSA team after the CyberRays. Your team is still playing tough, but has definitely added a more finesse element this season which has been much more fun for me to watch. LeKeysia Beene's been looking like she's back to her 2001 form. I'm not going to argue that your offense isn't clicking a lot better than ours is at this point, and you may very well win this one, but I think the margin will be a goal or less. Of course, a lot of that for us will depend on who actually is ready to play today--if we lose another starting defender Been is going to have more than her fair share of work cut out for her. Maribel will find holes in the D all day, and Parlow and Hooper will make holes (by running us over if necessary )
You are correct. That was one of his "motivating tools". In other news...Kylie won't be playing today cuz of a left ankle contusion.
Will someone do a little recap for me on the first half? I don't have CSS and the WUSA PBP is bland. How are we controlling the game so far? How does Dieke look in Bivens's spot?
According to Match Tracker, it seems that the Rays are getting quite a few shots. Where are we breaking down. Are we missing the attacking Bivens with our offense. What is Parlow doing? Charmaine seems ineffective? Help why are we losing this match?
I've been disappointed with Hooper so far in the season. Her touch is a bit off. Maybe she needs to ride the pine and let Pohlers/Crumpton/Burt play.
I just spoke with melbrown who was waiting with goofy for phats. Some initial thoughts on the game... * The ref blew the game. She thinks Seitz may have called a Beat throw-in but a Cyberrays player grabbed the ball and threw it in and it eventually led to Brandi's goal. Tommy was livid! * Dieke sucked. * Parlow had to help on defense cuz of Dieke. Uhhhh I can't remember anything else. I may have forgotten some stuff. They are heading back to her place to watch the match and then they are gonna go out and party!