U.S. Roster By Position for Four Nation Tournament: GOALKEEPERS (2): LaKeysia Beene (San Jose CyberRays), Briana Scurry (Atlanta Beat) DEFENDERS (6): Jenny Benson (Philadelphia Charge), Thori Bryan (CyberRays), Brandi Chastain (CyberRays), Joy Fawcett (San Diego Spirit), Christie Pearce (New York Power), Kate Sobrero (Boston Breakers) MIDFIELDERS (6): Lorrie Fair (Charge), Devvyn Hawkins (Santa Clara Univ.), Angela Hucles (Breakers), Jena Kluegel (Breakers), Tiffany Roberts (Carolina Courage), Aly Wagner (Santa Clara Univ.) FORWARDS (6): Shannon MacMillan (Spirit), Tiffeny Milbrett (Power), Heather O'Reilly (PDA Torpedoes), Cindy Parlow (Beat), Lindsay Tarpley (Univ. of North Carolina), Abby Wambach (Washington Freedom)
Jenny going to China I am glad to see that Jenny Benson made the roster! And I hope she gets some quality minutes as well...I would like April Heinrichs to have some confidence in her..I am still not pleased. Heather is not on the roster...I wish I could see these camp that the players work so hard at so I could see what April is seeing...I dunno I still believe she has her "favorites" Cya Charlene
As has been stated before by Ape- or something to the extent of....that Benny needed more intl experience, then there is no better tourny (minus Algarve) for Benny to get that intl experience. China-Norway-Germany......hmmmm... shades of brilliance by them. Experience-absolutely. CONGRATS to Benny..and to Ape- wise decision May it be a productive trip for all.
Us in Power land would have thought the same thing if Heather Mitts was chosen over Christie Pearce. Mitts over Pearcie give me a break. Pearce, has worked hard to REGAIN her spot on the National Team, a spot she probably wouldn't have lost for not her ACL injury. I'm very, very happy for her.
Mitts and Pearce are far different style defenders. Mitts has the ability to get forward far better than Pearce ever dreamt, while Pearce is a better pure defender. They're apples and oranges. It's all about what style you'd prefer. cafu and Carlos are the model benson and mitts emulate. pearce is jeff agoos.
Don't MINCE words, Adam, what do you really think? Paul (how many goals was he directly/indirectly responsible for in JPN/KOR?)
Pearce is one of the worst defenders in the league. Just like Agoos, little mobility. No vertical game. Technical game is non-existent. She was DiCicco's project, and for that she becomes part of the nats. I'm glad she chose NY than play for PHL. Pearce is a worthless piece of crap. Besides, Jeff Agoos is prettier than Pearce.
USA needs to introduce the young players into the mix. On the offensive side, USA has no problems. I expect an experience keeper to become #1, unless Beene suddenly leap frogs everyone. I'd retool the defense entirely, in fact I'd put Chastain in Fair's role, although it appears Hawkins is being given a chance in China. A backline of Benson Slaton Reddick and Mitts would be my choice. The reliance on old players will kill you. Read the FIFA technical report on the USA performance in 1999. It mirrors everything I've been saying. Those who know soccer know the USA weakness and adding more technical ability into the backline is the solution.
Christie Pearce is a human being and deserves far more respect than that statement which showed no respect what-so-ever. Disagree with who plays her, how she plays, etc, but respect her.
Still waiting better player now Mitts or Pearce? Maybe if you watch Heather game and not how her ponytail looks you wlll she she has a great game.
Congrats to Benny!!! I frequently disagree with Heinrich's choices, and I must concede the fact that my team loyalty to the Charge clouds my judgement. So, I'm going to take this opportunity to try to step back and try to be more objective. Up to this point, the national team has played with a roster of 18. The make up of the team has been 2 Goalies, 4 Defenders, 6 Mids, and 6 Forwards. Roster size was increased to 20 for the 4 Nations friendly in China - 2 defenders added. I thought I heard one of the announcer mention during the Japan match that this was going to be the roster size for the Cup next September. I guess I'll start my critique with the midfield and goalies, mostly because I think best we have are on the team. The announcer from the Japan match mentioned that he thought the squad would carry three keepers for the WC. I agree that would be the prudent thing to do. Lots of games in a short period of time - you need the depth. Moving on to forwards, I think the team carries too much depth. Depth is good, too much breaks up continuity. The way it is now, the midfield doesn't see forwards in consistant pairing for long enough to develop a rythm. More than 4 is too many. And finally defense. I am happy with recent developments with the defensive line. A step in the right direction, but more are needed. This is an important year for the WNT for two reasons. The obvious being the WWC, but they are also developing for after the cup. When the team travels to China in September, Chastain and Faucett will be both be 34 years old. Not that I have a problem with their age. Central defender is a unique position. Good ones need time to develop. If you were to compile a list of the great central defenders of all time, one thing they have in common is they were in their early thirties when they hit their peak. The point I am trying to make here is that now is the time for the WNT to start developing for the future. One spot on every roster should be reserved for a third central defender. One that will be ready for WWC 2007. Dwight
Enjoyed the post..and agree completely on the need to solidly develop the players.... and if ones are "not working" or clicking, to reinvest or look elsewhere (perhaps a case-in-point of Hawkins...) One tiny detail.. Fawcett and Chastain will be 35 come WWC 2003, as both were born in 1968.. heck, if 4NT were only a few weeks later, Fawcett would be celebrating her 35th b-day in China as Benny would be her 25th
Doris Fitschen retired from the German nation side. So did Stefffi Jones.. and so have many Norwegians... To make room for talented younger players. Players are in their prime from age 25 to 28. After that, there's a slow physical decline. The trick is to get the younger players experience, so when 25 to 28 rolls around, these young players can step in. Slaton nor reddick fit the bill, neither do the old guard. So was there a generation of 25-28 defenders who simply aren't good enough. I believe that's more the truth than anything else. So the question is what to do, keep the old folk, or go really young, give them the experience, and hope their lack of experience doesn't hurt too much. That's what I'd do. The other question is Heinrich's friendship with the older players a detrimental affect to her judgement?? Only she can really answer that question. In the 4 nations, let's hope Hawkins really plays well, because getting a better d-mid in there is a start.