Here is .pdf file: http://www.theatlantabeat.com/documents/2003_Atlanta_Beat_Roster.pdf http://www.theatlantabeat.com/349063.html
Lets see, Grouped by position (No other order intended) *1 – Briana Scurry Goalkeeper *24 – Melanie Wilson Goalkeeper *15 – Julie Augustyniak Defender *25 – Nancy Augustyniak Defender *6 – Sharolta Nonen Defender 22 – Ifeoma Dieke Defender 29 – Leslie Gaston Defender *4 – Kylie Bivens Mid/Def *16 – Marci Miller Midfielder 2 – Katie Antongiovanni Midfielder *5 – Nikki Serlenga Midfielder *8 – Homare Sawa Midfielder 9 – Conny Pohlers Forward *10 – Charmaine Hooper Forward 11 – Abby Crumpton Forward *12 – Cindy Parlow Forward 13 – Maribel Dominguez Forward *3 – Emily Burt Forward The perplexing part is the number of forwards. The Beat has played a form of 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 most of the time in the past and ALL of the forwards are great contributors, or will be from reported pre-season play. I would have expected the Beat to be heavy in the defender or mid category not the forwards but it looks like I am wrong. Maybe Stone has seen enough from Serlenga and Bivens to go with a 3-4-3 of sorts with them as a sort of dual defensive mid combo to give the needed defensive shape while allowing a more varied attack than we have had in the past. Also he may wnt to give Nonen a bit of speed help for when she goes walkabout on the field. Note: This form of play can, of course, work out of any formation name. The name of a formation is just the starting point and how it plays matters MUCH more than what it is called. I think the talent is there for that to work but it would be risky. However; the time to take risks is early to try to get a jump as most teams play early conservative soccer and try to turn it up later.
So when Callie joins the Beat after she finishes her last semester that means someone else will be waived?? This roster is getting very tight...
I wonder if we'll be platooning forwards. Parlow often doesn't go the whole game, and I hear that Pohlers plays flat out, but tires is less than 90 minutes.
Even with Nat team callups we will have 4 forwards (I do not believe that Mexico will be an issue after the home/home playoff, they are just too weak to win against #4 in Aisa) We will be much thinner at mid and defense, given the numbers that usually play there. But, as I have said before, we do have a VERY versital team, with many forwards able to play mid and some even effective at defense. I wonder what Burt could do in a defensive possition. She is such a disruptive player (Ment in a good way) and so fearless that, if playing defense, the other teams attack would be less than fluid. OF course there is the possibility of more fouls but that is the price paid for heavy aggression.
I am new to Big Soccer, although I have read the boards a few times, this is my first post. I am a big soccer fan, especially a Beat fan and I follow the college and national team game. My Username Beat 101, doesn't mean I claim to be a Beat know it all, but I have seen many games and have many opinions. That being said, I just wanted to introduce myself and give you guys my take on this lineup.
1 – Briana Scurry Goalkeeper *24 – Melanie Wilson Goalkeeper *15 – Julie Augustyniak Defender *25 – Nancy Augustyniak Defender *6 – Sharolta Nonen Defender 22 – Ifeoma Dieke Defender 29 – Leslie Gaston Defender *4 – Kylie Bivens Mid/Def *16 – Marci Miller Midfielder 2 – Katie Antongiovanni Midfielder *5 – Nikki Serlenga Midfielder *8 – Homare Sawa Midfielder 9 – Conny Pohlers Forward *10 – Charmaine Hooper Forward 11 – Abby Crumpton Forward *12 – Cindy Parlow Forward 13 – Maribel Dominguez Forward *3 – Emily Burt Forward I think this will be the back line starting from right to left. Back line - Kylie Bivens, Nancy Augustyniak, Sharolta Nonen, Julie Augustyniak Middle - Marci Miller, Nikki Serlenga, Homare Sawa, Cindy Parlow Front - Hooper, Pohlers Bri in goal of course. Of front will be interesting, because Parlow, while she can play up front, may be of more use as a withdrawn forward or even a roaming central midfielder. She can be a target player, while Pohlers and Hooper can run off of her. The team will have a great amount of depth up front with the ability to change up Burt, Dominguez, Pohlers and Crumpton With the style that Stone likes to play, Bivens will move back to give the team that attacking outside back. We all know she can get up and down the field and can serve a great ball. Something that we really haven't established yet in the past two years. Julie will have a tough time establishing a starting spot this season if Dieke shows as well as she has during preseason. Dieke, from what I hear, is a better athlete, is very skillful and is full of potential. And we all know you can't teach athleticism. Julie has experience working for her, but will have to prove effective in the early going to keep her job. Also, Stone might opt to play Dieke in the defensive midfield and interchange her will Miller. While Miller is probably the better ball winner, Dieke is a threat going forward.
First off welcome Beat 101. Be careful of Dr. Mike...ya' never know with the CDC folks.. ----------- So is it safe to assume that Hooper still counts toward the foreigner cap? I know that in a recent Beat article it mentioned that Hooper was getting her green card but I've also read that she was still counting as a foreigner. Perhaps the green card process was longer than expected. The reason I bring it up is cuz I really thought from reading first hand accounts and articles was that Kobayashi (I still don't know if I am spelling her name right) was going to be named to the roster. She certainly sounds impressive.
I think imho that our first team will look like this: Bri Deike, N. Augustyniak, Nonen, J. Augustyniak Bivens, Serlenga, Sawa Parlow Hooper, Pohlers The four subs are probably going to be: Crumpton for Parlow Dominguez for Pohlers Miller for Bivens and if we are looking for a goal, Burt for Serlenga but if we want to defend the lead take, off Hooper and put in Gaston
As close as the competition is for roster spots, Callie might have a tough time making the roster if she comes in at mid season. National team call ups may help her cause. If the newbies play well, it will be an uphill battle for Callie. Striker seams to be the position where we have the most depth. Crumpton or Burt may be the odd person out if Callie impresses to coaching staff when she returns. It will definitely be interesting to watch. I look forward to April 5th. Welcome Beat101!!!!!!!!!
No, not a season ticket holder as my schedule is very hectic and I like to travel during the summer months. I watch just about all of the games on TV and do go to games when my schedule allows. Good call Poachin on that Burt or Crumpton might be the odd man out if Withers does well when she returns. Although I don't think Bivens will be in the midfield as she's a big key to Stone's system at the back. I think Dieke could replace Julie on the outside or could interchange with Miller in the middle. Heck, Miller might be the odd man out if Dieke and Withers do well. Forward is where we have numbers, but effectiveness will be the key. If Dominguez and Burt don't contribute they could be shopped around.
Once Withers joins the club, I look for someone to get booted completely off and an active member to become a reserve... then Withers will join the active squad. She's a midfielder, right? Stone looks like he has put together a well-rounded group. I look forward to seeing them play. As far as the large # of forwards, I look for Parlow to play as an offensive midfielder. I agree totally with jd6885. I just wonder who will take a seat if Withers is as good as everyone says.
I'm thinking one midfielder for another midfielder. If Antongiovanni doesn't impress and Whithers absolutely dazzles like Dieke did, Anton will be the odd woman out.
Fear> You may remember a few months ago I was telling y'all that the process could take two or three years (unless she gets some form of special intervention). My wife was going through this process before we decided to found the Beat Brigade: Taiwan Chapter. WAR BEAT!!! BTW, can any one tape the game for me or copy them on a VCD or DVD and send them to me here in Taiwan? Thanks.
According to the latest Soccer America Women's Soccer Insider newsletter, Hooper is still awaiting her green card and counts against the foreign cap (or crap as I like to call it). HOWEVER (and it relates to Anne Makinen who is going through the same problems)....one option the league does have is to grant Makinen resident status before she officially gets her green card. Of course this will mean that they have to expedite Hooper's status as well. The newsletter also went on to speculate that if Hooper does become a US resident, then Thomas can go ahead and sign Yayoi Kobayashi.
Well, and I could be wrong, but Pohlers and Maribel are our two discovery players. They didn't have to go through the training camp process. Yayoi was invited into training camp so maybe being invited into training camp they skirt that issue. Uhhh maybe.
yup yup...as ludahai mentioned, it takes awhile for the process to be approved and all that...heck, it took me forever to get my green card renewed over x'mas! lol. ooo...kobayahsi is a great player and i think she would make an excellent 4th foreign player (although, adding another canuck wouldn't be too bad lol...haha). i remember her from the world cup, and she's definitely a crafty little player! (i think it's the same kobayashi...don't recall the first name, but i would guess it's the same player). elaine
Yeah it took me 6 months to finally get my greencard renewed too. But I thought that you automatically become a citizen or at least a permanent resident if you marry and American. Hooper married last year right? So she shouldn't count towards the foreign players limit. I want Kobayashi DANGIT!!
especially now that they have tightened everything up. hooper got married in july, if i remember correctly, as i remember wishing her a wonderful wedding day when i saw her play norway in toronto, and some of team canada players were talking about her wedding that was next week at the time...her husband chuck is an asst. coach for the northwestern program. elaine
Not sure if this has been posted yet, but here is a little story about Dieke. http://www.kickoffnigeria.com/stories/?curl=Dieke_set_to_take_WUSA_by_storm.php