ive been to blackbaud in the winter for USWNT friendlies (right DCU? ) its not that bad at all...sounds like they may get some PT since its only a friendly...i wonder if our old pals olsfodditir and karvelsson will be playing for the ice queens?
I assume Margret Olafsdittir still plays for them, she did against England last fall. Karvellson soccer future is unknown to me. I guess we need to wait for the waiver list. I wonder if we;ll have an Iverson/Karvellson retiement announcement or whether they make the coming cuts or get cut??
That would be a dream come true for BOSTON! The Charge cut E.I. even if Boston isn't on the top of the list and NY picks her off waivers then NY can make a trade to Boston.
Charge Goalkeeper Finally Named To USWNT Roster At least Heinrichs has finally named a Charge goalkeeper to one of her training rosters.
Topsy, who is reported to be Iverson's fiance had posted, if Iverson retires, then she is NOT eligible to play for any other team in the WUSA for two years. So there are two choices, either a retirement prior to the waiver draft, or she's listed on the roster and retires afterwards. Given the darwinian nature of wusa policy, who knows exactly what the "real" policy may be. When you go back to how Iverson was acquired by the Charge, some one else failed to appreciate her talent fully. There's probably more unapprecited talent awaiting a keen eye to recognize it.
With all due respect, Erica Iverson is a good defender, but not a great defender. She did very well last year in Philadelphia, but I think it's more of the system than the player. When she was beaten, she had Mitts and Benson on the outsides to recover for her. When she was with NY in 2001 for "Spring Training" she was beaten time and again. I really didn't think she would see the light of day in this league. I think Philly will be just fine with or without her.
With all due respects system is important. And in that system Erica Iverson was a 1st team All-star. I watched her go to war with Birgit Prinz and Abby Wambach and play them evenly. The Charge concept of defense starts in midfield where Monroe or McDowell would hound the other team playmaker, making it as difficult as possible to play forward with purpose. The Charge outside backs have a lot of freedom to get forward and participate offensively, which Benson and Mitts are pretty good at doing. Zhao Lihong is the best winger on the planet, able to play either left and right side adeptly, and can play the entire length of the pitch. Playing wide and getting players forward leave Tietjen and Iverson isolated somewhat, with Lorrie Fairs role at d-mid being to use her mobility to cover gaps when they occurred. The times Charge got into trouble defensively were, generally when Lorrie decides to go forward, with the outside backs also forward and POSSESSION was lost, and a counter into space with just TIETJEN and IVERSON defending. More goals were given up in that fashion than in any other method of attack. The point is Iverson excelled last year. And to deny she excelled is a discredit to her performance. True style of play lends some players more desireable and other player less. And in year 1, NY defensively was far more proficient than year 2, which led to her NY roster possibility null. Systems do enhance ones talent, but adaptive coaches get the most out of their players. And Sundhage is a master at identifying strengths and maxing a players ability. One reason why Boston will be a major player this year.
Methinks the other way around. When Mitts and Benson got beat, there was Iverson to save their derrières. In the first year of the WUSA there were many top flight college players that did not fully understand what it meant to be a professional soccer player. I think that Erica was one of them. Over the winter between the seasons she took her commitment to the game to the next level and it showed in her all-star performance.
Thank you, Dean Conway, for bringing Pia to the Boston area for an advanced coaching clinic back in the mid-90s.
Pia will quickly identify what players strengths are and what there weaknesses are and have the team play to those strengths. She's not fixed to a single model, fitting players to it, but will arrange the pieces to best emphasize the talent. With the Charge she was closer to the players than Krikorian, who distanced himself more than Natale and Sundhage. I'd be curious if she maintains her closeness to players, or distances herself more, being the head coach. I think WUSA play-off race will be like the AFC of the past football season...too close for all but the strongest hearts.
As far as i see it Erica happy retirment and if Pia was so great why did it take two years to get the top job. I am so tired of Mitts not getting any credit.
In some ways, Mitts is being taken for granted a bit, but I think you have to look at the overall talent pool on the team, and the overall team concept. Continually being called into camp means she is being recognized as providing some talent. If you want to start listing value, ir order.. Smith Pichon Benson Tietjen Mitts Tullock Fair Smith and Pichon are clearly a level above everyone else. And the 3 defenders are somewhat interchangeable in value. Benson at left back is a shade more consistent than Mitts, crosses slightly better, and can be slightly more physical in her play. Mitts is a shade lower than Benson. She can do what benson does, but a hair less proficiently. Tietjen as organizer of the defense, needs to be given credit for her overall leadershop role, and she'll be needed theis summer.