Beat away at Boston! pre/during/post thread...discuss! Well we'll be without Bivens **cough-bogus call-cough**...what's everyone's feelings on this match? The Beat are coming off an important win against the fish, but the Breaker's are going to be looking to avenge their whoopin' from our 2nd match! Gotta give the edge to da Beat! They may be lacking a bit recently on offense, but defensively, they are the best team out there. If they stay focused, they are sure to put this one in the "W" column.
NO KYLIE....NO NONEN...NO HOOPER!!!!!!!!!! Geez...our defensive line will look ...um, empty. Nancy and Leslie will really have to step up as will the two that replace Kylie and Sharolta (probably Deike {gulp} and Julie). The Beat will have to step up and prove their depth this game. I see Dominguez and Pohlers starting up top. I wonder if Nikki will be back for this game.
Maybe we'll be able to use Callie this week... but watch him put Callie in for Julie instead of Effy!
Article says Hooper and Nonen are training with the Canucks this week, (therefore not with the Beat). Their friendly with England is on Saturday, so depending on how much playtime they get on Sat. and travel plans, will probably determine whether or not they play on Sun. I would expect Sharolta "Ironwoman" Nonen to still start or at the very least play a half. Hooper on the other hand, (since we are deeper up front), her time may be limited. Again, it really depends on how Even Pellerud uses them on Saturday. I think Callie is itching to get into a game - if Nikki can't go then Callie could get her first start. Otherwise Sawa slides back to Nikki's spot and Crumpton and Parlow play on the top of the midfield square. That is just my strategy - and I know NOTHING.
Does anyone know if Julie has done something to piss the coach off. She has been solid in every game she's played this year but keeps finding herself on the bench. Her and Gaston bring different strengths the the team but after watching them thus far, I don't think that one is obviously better than the other. Maybe Coach Stone still thinks of Julie as a bench player and always will. Oh well. I think that Boston is going to be very fired up this game to avenge week 2. The Beat's defense makes sure that we are in every game but, as noted by others, we don't have our usual defense. This being the case, Coach might go will two d-mids if Nikki still can't play. Miller and Withers would most likely dominate in the air. I would try... ........................Bri Effy........Nancy.........Julie.......Leslie .......Callie.......................Marci ............Marigol............Sawa .........Cindy................Connie with Abby as the first offensive sub. This would still be a solid team defensively but would be potentially quick on the counter attack. I predict that the Beat will concentrate on defense first due to there injury/call up/ suspension problems right now. We are still the better team, but the game will be lower scoring. I predict 2-1 Beat.
Beat hope to find offensive spark against Breakers Match marks only the second away game of season by Dan Tomayko for Cyber Soccer News http://www.cybersoccernews.com/wusa/atlanta/030521atl-bosadv.shtml No mention of losing the service of the Canucks, so I am thinking Stone is expecting them to be able to play.
A Break from the Road Boston returns to Nickerson Field for a rematch with Atlanta by Nat Alderman http://www.cybersoccernews.com/wusa/boston/030521bos-atladv.shtml
The Canada England game is on Thursday night so all the Canucks should be back on their WUSA team in time.
EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hey Poachin'........ As far as Julie vs Leslie...my opinion is...Gaston is the better and faster player. Don't get me wrong, I think Julie is a great player and I have no problem with her in the line-up, but I would give the edge to Gaston. Deike is another story. I haven't seen enough out of her to lose Lisa over her. I feel Lisa could have contributed far more to our team, even on the right side. But, I am prejudice when it comes to Lisa. Can you imagine Callie and Marci playing side by side?? That will totally ROCK!!
I agree about the Lisa/Effy situation. With Kylie out, this problem is only made worse. Hopefully Effy will improve. She has alot of physical ability but her skills are rough. As far as Julie/Leslie, our starting back line is awesome no matter who starts as I'm sure you agree.
AJC article Boston vs. Atlanta showdown of leading scorers By WENDY PARKER Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/beat/0503/25beat.html
Here are the starting lineups, according to matchtracker. Atlanta Beat -- Briana Scurry, Ifeoma Dieke, Nancy Augustyniak, Sharolta Nonen, Leslie Gaston, Homare Sawa, Marci Miller, Conny Pohlers, Charmaine Hooper, Cindy Parlow, Maribel Dominguez. Boston Breakers -- Karina LeBlanc, Jena Kluegel, Monica Gonzalez, Kate Sobrero, Heather Aldama, Stephanie Mugneret-Beghe, Angela Hucles, Sarah Popper, Kristine Lilly, Dagny Mellgren, Maren Meinert.
A shot by each team and a foul committed by each team in the first five minutes. I wish this game was televised.
09:34 ATL -10th Minute. Goal Scored by 10-Charmaine Hooper, 2nd of season. Assisted by8-Homare Sawa, 1st of season. In Goal was 23-Karina LeBlanc.