Enough about San Jose! Bring in the spiritless and bring on the "dishing..." Game Preview from WUSA.com Saturday, May 3, 2003 - San Diego Spirit at Atlanta Beat - 7:00 p.m. (ET) - Cox 4 (San Diego); Comcast Sports Southeast (Atlanta - tape-delay at 10:00 p.m. ET); (Season Series: First Meeting) (All-time Series History: Atlanta leads 3-2-1)) Atlanta had its four-game regular season unbeaten streak snapped with a 1-0 loss to San Jose on May 3. The loss marked the first versus the CyberRays at home for the Beat. San Diego extended its unbeaten streak to three games with a 1-1 tie versus Boston on May 3. Forward Julie Fleeting registered the equalizer in the 62nd minute to bring the score level at 1-1. The last meeting between these two teams resulted in 1-0 victory at Herndon Stadium for the Spirit on August 7, 2002. Julie Foudy notched her fifth goal of the season in that match to snap San Diego's three-game losing skid. Key Players to Watch: San Diego's Fleeting (3g, 6 pts., tied for 5th among WUSA scoring leaders) is riding a three-game goal-scoring streak. The Scottish international has tallied one goal in two meetings all-time versus Atlanta. Forward Shannon MacMillan (1g, 2a, 4 pts., tied for 12th among WUSA scoring leaders) is the only player on San Diego with multiple assists on the season. During her WUSA career, MacMillan has scored three goals and two assists for eight points versus the Beat (six matches). San Diego midfielder Foudy (1a, 1pt.) registered one of her five career WUSA goals versus Atlanta. The U.S. national team captain has recorded a goal and an assist in six matches against the Beat. Atlanta's Maribel Dominguez (5g, 2a, 12 pts., 1st among WUSA scoring leaders) was held scoreless for the first time in her WUSA career on May 3. The WUSA Player of the Month for April has been responsible for 42 percent of the Beat's total offense in 2003. Midfielder Homare Sawa (2g, 1a, 5 pts., tied for 9th among WUSA scoring leaders)has had more success versus the Spirit than any other Atlanta player. The Japanese international has registered three goals and two assists in six matches versus San Diego all-time. Goalkeeper Briana Scurry (2-1-1, 0.50 GAA) lost her first match of the 2003 season on May 3. Scurry holds a 2-1-1 record with a 0.71 goals against average all-time versus San Diego. Key Matchup: (San Diego forward Julie Fleeting versus Atlanta defender Sharolta Nonen) Fleeting has registered a goal in three straight games, leading San Diego to its best start in team history. Nonen anchors the league's leading defense which has allowed 0.50 goals per game. Fleeting has notched one goal in two matches versus Atlanta and will be looking to add to that total this weekend. The "Inside Scoop": The series history between these two teams is tied in Atlanta (1-1-1). San Diego won its only appearance at Herndon Stadium 1-0 on August 7, 2002. Prior to the Beat's 1-0 loss to San Jose on May 3, the last time Atlanta was shut out at home was versus the Spirit on August 7, 2002. The Spirit is riding a three-game regular season unbeaten streak on the road, dating back to August 7, 2002. They Said it: "Atlanta is going to be hungry after losing to San Jose. I know they are going to come out hard, especially at home. We just have to absorb their pressure and try to dictate the pace that we want to play. They are a very talented team with a lot of speed and it will be a very tough game on the road. But we are starting to come together as a team, getting much better in our possession, and hopefully that will get even better next week." - San Diego Spirit Head Coach Omid Namazi on Atlanta. Referee: Rachel Woo. Assistant Referees: Brenda Wright, Patrick Baker. 4th Official: Corey E. Rockwell.
Okay! I'm getting neck cramps looking back so I say let's look forward!! I can't wait to see Lisa back in Atlanta, but that won't change my yelling for the Beat to kick some ass! I'll hope Lisa has a good game, but that the Beat has an excellent game! The Beat need this one to get things flowing back in a positive way. I look for them to come out very determined and will pretty much be overwhelming to SD. The Beat need to possess better than they did last weekend and really jack up the speed. If they stay focused and get their shots on frame...we'll put this one in the "W" column. I'm not going to give a prediction. I'm just saying we'll win. I hope Rachel WooHoo! is on her game and calls a fair match. Another bad outing for officials might end with an old fashioned lynching!! ::sends up a prayer:: Please God, let Kylie be ready to play...Please, Please, Please! I'll be good...for at least a week or so ........um, Amen.
I hope Kylie is ready to go too. She always plays well against the Spirit. And this will be her first time to play against her former team mate at Santa Clara, Aly Wagner.
:: pulls out voodoo doll of Foudy and puts tape around it's mouth ....runs out of tape....gets more tape to accomplish such a large job (hehehehe) :: ::finds voodoo doll of MacMillan...binds it's legs together with string (so she can't kick, you dirty minded people!!) :: ::finds doll of Lisa Krzykowski:: :: puts it up on a pedestal::
You forgot about Wagner. I suggest taping over her eyes. Therefore we would have the speak no evil, see no evil, kick no evil Spiritless. For Voodoo Foudy, I recommend the use of staples. Everyone get ready to make the Spirit feal unwelcome Saturday night. My chant for the game will be (sing to the tune of RULE BRITIANIA) Rule Atlanta!!! Rule Atlanta Beat!!!! Julie Foudy is a whinin' cheat!!!!
:: grabs voodoo doll of Wagner and puts tape across her eyes and spends her around and around to throw off her equilibrium:: Hey PG...you should go put this chant in my "Bow at the feet of the BEAT" thread in the rivalry forum! It would be perfect! Make sure you come say hello to all of us in section 116! Flix, me, toatlanta and Swance all sit there...as does Mike Lane. Kicks2515 is usually running around there as well. phats and AB1 usually come by there too! WAR BEAT!! Let's put a big "W" up this weekend and get back on track!!!!!
From Saturday's AJC: Beat forward still adjusting to U.S. power game By WENDY PARKER Beat players get competitive drive from their moms By MICHELLE HISKEY
The Beat were once again betrayed by there finishing. They had strong buildup on a number of occasions but just couldn't bury the ball in the net. This is the most talented Beat team ever but they definitely have this as an achilles heel thus far. I can't think of anyone who played poorly. Marigol and Crumpton once again provided the spark. It was nice to see the applause for Lisa K. during the pregame warmup. Also here are some special acknowledgements.... The Hustle Award - Dominguez for going all out, all game The Steel Jaw Award - to Nancy A. for walking off the crunching collision with Bri The "You Look Good in Yellow" Award - to Julie Foudy for her heartwarming acceptance of her much deserved yellow card. (side note: she would look even better in red!!!) The Don't Miss Your Plane Award - to Shannon Mac for being her usual dangerous pain-in-the-butt self. The 3rd Best Rookie Award - to Ally Wagner....sorry but you don't hold a candle to Abby and Marigol. Good game for the Beat. They just need to finish their chances.
One of the most disappointing games that I have ever seen. A 1-1 result that the Beat really should have lost 4-2 or worse. Scurry was a little off but had a good game coming up HUGE a few times. The backs seem totally out of it. They missed tackles and their passing resembled a bunch of 12 year olds just learning the game, although they did give the ball back to the other team further up field than a group of 12 year olds would. But the VAST majority of passes, if you can call them that, out of the back resulted in SD having possession. Fortunately SD was equally inept in exploiting the poor passing from the back. Most of the passes that got to the mids were then given away by the mids with poor passes or even poorer choices. But again SD would often give it back just as easily so there was no harm except for a broken attack and time allowed for SD to get their defense together. In the attacking third you are supposed to take chances and a huge number of turnovers is expected and acceptable as long as quality chances are being created and that was happening just not often enough due to the ball being lost so often earlier. BTW: the so called near goal in the first few minutes that the announcers kept harping on was offside. It was called that way and SD restarted with an indirect kick but the announcing team was to busy spewing inane nonsense to notice what was actually happening. Sawa seemed OK but was often surprised by others not making runs or failing to return a decent pass as she tried a give and go. I believe that Stone needs to spend a good deal less time screaming on the sidelines and more time actually watching the game and seeing what is going wrong and even making plans for the next week’s practice. A coach’s job is to coach not to play the game for the players. Stone seems to have gotten away from this and it is costing the Beat.
I will prefence this post with I haven't seen the tape yet, so these are my observations as they occurred real time with real nerves and emotion. FEAST OR FAMINE...thats the Atlanta Beat offense right now. Thank goodness SD was as efficient. They are creating the chances, but finishing is the problem. I've also noticed more long ball passes the past 2 games and less short rhythm passes that were so effective the first 3. I disagree with FOF - the defense is playing well, (better with Bivens in there), my only concern is the number of corners we seem to be giving up this year. Sharolta and Nancy made some great recoveries. Also, nice to see Julie come in and make some nice runs up the side and a great tackle or two. A couple of mis-comms with Scurry, one resulting in a twin knockout. The midfield played better this week than last. Sawa was less than (her usual) brillant (self), but Parlow had a good game - took some hits as well. I was bummed to see Serlenga come out, but then again Crumpton got some play time, which is always a good thing. The possession game goes thru these guys, so they need to wratch it up another notch. No gripes about the officiating this week - both teams had their chances to put this one away, so a draw maybe the fairest result, (as if "fair" counts for anything). SJ is coming back into town so I would prefer a FEAST next Saturday - maybe I should fast until then.
I just watched the tape and it's obvious that the lack of finishing hurt us this game. There were several chances that should have ended up in the back of the net that didn't. I must agree that the defense wasn't great. They had several mistakes that could have easily cost a goal, but luckily they were able to recover and SD was suffering from the same lack of finishing that the Beat was. It just seemed like there was some major miscommunication in the back line last night. As for Sawa, she dropped back and played Nikki's role after Crumpton came in. I think that explains why she was quiet this game. Coach Stone says during an interview that Nikki pulled her groin and that's why she was subbed out. Parlow impressed me this game. She was working hard for almost the entire 90, even coming back to help out on D. And I still don't see how Maribel slid that ball through for the goal...talk about threading a needle!
My view...chance, miss, chance, miss, good pass, good pass, give away, throw in, give away, chance, miss, chance, miss, give up a corner, give up another corner, give up 10 corners... A sigh of utter frustration heard from K-GB in 116 row R We looked unfocused and like all concentration had been lost. There was no real "hunger" out there. I have no idea what is going on. I wonder how team chemistry is going behind the scenes. The team we witnessed playing out there the last two games, is not the same team as the first three. Passes are off, runs are late or not made at all, even our throw-ins are going directly to our opponents. They seem to have lost their rhythm. I hope they find it again this week. Also it seemed to me that our players were trying to take the ball up the middle too much and was running into too many white shirts...they weren't utilizing their flanks as well. Kylie wasn't as effective making runs and actually made less (my guess is that the ankle is still bothering her...just my own personal feeling...I have nothing to base it on other than watching her play...she was still defending well, but just didn't contribute as much in the attack.). One thing about our shots...we need to release a touch sooner. When we did have a chance on goal, it seems we took one touch too many and that gave the defense enough time to step up and block the shot. Parlow should have had a goal right after the 2nd half started...I've seen her make those goals many, many times with the nat'l team...we have to finish those. Other than that, her game was flawless! The positive points: (1) Parlow had an excellent game...she showed a lot of hussle out there. (2) Abby was a delight as always! I love watching this girl play! I hope she continues to see time on the field. I expect her to start next week since CP will be with the Nat'l team. (3) Glad to see Nancy has a hard head! Yeesh, that was a hard knock! (4) Scurry made some brilliant saves. (5) Marci totally dominated in the air! It is amazing how effective she is at winning those balls! She's like our own personal air Jordan. (6) Excellent seeing Lisa! It was great spending some time with her. She is sorely missed...as was evident in the crowd. (7) Foudy got a yellow!!!!! (8) Cheers to Mac for being a good sport and checking on Nancy after she finally stood back up. I'm not a Mac fan, but it was a nice gesture. (9) Officiating - not a perfectly called game, but it was fair enough. I have no major problems with it. Woo seemed to be objective and didn't seem to lean towards one team over another (Seitz take notes!!). (10) nice to see Burtie in there, but I think she should have came in earlier. (11) Dominguez is still the offensive leader!!!!!!!!
From CyberSoccerNews: Atlanta, San Diego battle in a ‘Spirited’ 1-1 draw Teams are smothering the Beat attack by Dan Tomayko
I haven't seen a Beat game since the Power opener. I have to watch ESPN2's fishing shows to even get a glimpse of the WUSA scores on Sunday morning since none of the papers we get have the scores in them. And I don't get PAX, nor the ATL sports channel. I'm having serious Beat withdrawls.
Hey K-GB, there is a thread in the MLS forum entitled "Am I wrong for hoping the WUSA will flop" that needs the WAR BEAT treatment. Enjoy!!!!
Whoops. Long time no post in here for me. Nope. Because I'm living with my g-ma since her sister died and she's hurt her back. No DirecTV there. Just VERY basic cable. No PAX, No FX, no WB or UPN. I have ESPN, ESPN2 and Turner Sports South. That's pretty much it. I'll definately have to start getting someone to tape the PAX games for me.
1.) Working at the Valdosta paper. Pretty much doing the same thing as before. 2.) Hmm. I don't know, especially with the WWC rumored to be coming to the U.S. We'll see when the schedule pans out. (And now with Bente back on the Norway National team ... I can see her here. Hopefully.) 3.) Moving back to GA. Actually, I've been there for a month and I'm finally coming back to claim my things. (And god bless my roomie for not throwing my sh!t on the lawn while I was gone) Life's much better, thoug I am sad I'm leaving NC. It was definately a bad time to move up and definately a slew of bad reason for why I moved up. Things will be better once I get my hands on my future camera -- a Nikon F5 that will be on order in about 5 weeks.
ooooh. Cary may be out of the question ... Along with more than 4 or 5 more WUSA games for me this summer. The job I'm currently working at requires me to work Wednesday--Sunday. And while I'm sure I'll be able to take off a Saturday for ATL games, I'm not sure how they'll feel giving me off a whole "non-weekend" for the July 4th thing, since I"ve reverted back to my ways of working most all holidays. So, y'all may want to 'give' my ticket to someone else, because right now it's not looking so good. And plus, I want to see if I can save up the special requests for the Championship WUSA game as well as the possibility of the WWC. Sorry 'bout that.
I hope the move down to Valdosta was not too traumatic... I remember that you were happy to get to the Raleigh/Durham area, and say goodbye to south Georgia. But Valdosta is a nice little town, and its good that you've good a good newspaper job. Let us know if you are coming up for the next Beat home game.