Anybody care to talk about this one? Has Philly really sunk so far? Who thought the day would come so soon when their defense would be handed 4 goals and still lose (go Krista!)? Are they missing Sundhage? Iverson? They're not nearly as likely to get 4 against us, so their D needs to come through in this one. How will DC respond to their off-week? Hopefully they're not feeling too fat and happy after their good start (results-wise at least)
I was at the Charge-Power game last weekend. They are complaining quite a bit about Mak over on the Charge boards and were not at all impressed with her play. There's a pretty good chance that Kelly Smith won't play because of a knee injury whose extent is not known. Obviously Melissa Moore's confidence is shaken, and the goalkeeping situation in general is in flux (and the Penn women's head coach is the Charge's goalkeeping coach, man does that split my allegiances). If we attack, we will win this game easily.
We OUGHT to win this game easily. With Pichon not available and Kelly Smith hurting, Philly is going to be hard put to have much of an attack. And if the Power can score 5 goals on them, we should be able to score 10 (well, perhaps I exaggerate). If the Freedom play the way they did against the Beat, it should be no contest. If it's more like New York or the second half of the San Jose game, it could go either way.
Arrington's speed is going to cause problems for a defense not known for blazing speed to begin with....
True, that could be a problem. Arrington toasted both Carrie and Jen on one play in the pre-season scrimmage. Erin Regan had to make a superb save to prevent the score.
i am psyched to see carrie (solid defensive skills) v. deliah (liquid speed)-- should be interesting...
If Jimbo was watching from the stands on Saturday, he probably came away with a few good ideas of how to win against PHL. In two words - Makinen. McVeigh.
So send Mia, Jacqui, Wambach, et. al at McVeigh? ----- Pre-game articles from CyberSoccerNews: Freedom Recharged to Meet Philly Washington healthy and prepared for match with Charge by Craig Stouffer Philadelphia to take on high-flying Freedom The Charge take a trip down I-95 by Brian J. Hegarty
That's the idea. And unfortunately, Mak is a revolving door. Hey . . . um . . . how about re-doing that trade ?
*in mocking voice* Too bad Pichon will not get the chance to school Mia. You know, I would have loved to see that oh so acomplished French iternational super star teach Mia a thing or two. *sheds fake tear*
Question: Now that Jac and Kelly G. are both healthy who plays? I think this is how they'll start Sat. ------Siri------ Sky--Jen--Emmy ----C.Moore---- -----Stoeck----- Kelly G.----Lori L. -----Steffi------ ----Mia--Abby---- With J. Little coming in for one of the outside midfielders. And either she'll stay at mid, or move up top and Mia will drop back. Even though I'ld like to see how it would work if Lindsay Stoecker dropped back to Carrie Moore's posistion, Steffi was the lone center mid, and Jacqui coming in as the third forward up top. I think that'd work well. But then you take away Carrie's man-marking aspect....
I think this is likely, but switch Lori and Kelly. The W.P. article said Kelly G. was left footed which would put her on the left side. You hate to not see Jacqui start, but this is a pretty solid line up. It's great to have depth.
That's the personnel I would expect. Carrie hasn't done much man-marking this year, though this game is probably the best candidate so far.
Golebiowski should start. That was a great goal the other week. Mia should be on the wings though. Don't put her in the middle of midfield.
I'm hoping that at halftime Kelly G. will come in, Jacqui will come out, and Mia will move up top. If he's not going to start Golebiowski, that would make the next most sense.
pre-game analysis Phillie has some big obsticles to overcome if they are to be successful in this matchup. And Washington is holding all the cards. First off Phillie is missing Pichon to National team duty, Kelly smith to a right knee maniscus tear, Fair is questionable with a calf strein, Scasna left foot tendonitis, Tullock probable despite a broken nose. and for the freedom? no injuries to report. Washington: I think washington should play a 3-4-3 exploiting the inexperience of Mcveigh, and presasuring the mid. if we do we will be able to pick up alot of loose balls in the mid, and utilize it for quick counters. If Jim still refuses to put mia up top with Abby, then at the very least he should concider moving her into the attacking midfeild role, so she can be more involved in the offense. G has shown she can play that left flank position that would be left vacant by moving mia. Defense still has to be careful as we still have Airington to worry about. her speed may get phillie some breaks offensively. I would put C. moore on her, but only in Phillies attacking third. use a second defender to move over on the play to support C. Moore. Airington has jets, and we have a slow back line so positioning will be key defensively. Offensively we need to have quality runs at the box. Watch the offsides, and slot our runs. we need to remember to use the width of the feild and not play so direct. I would like to see some overlaping flank runs by the mid. on the quick counter to G or Jones or Little. allow Mia to flow freely from side to side and center. this allows her the ability to test the back line. I would urge abby to run the box. from out wide and center. give phillies back line alot of offense to worry about. I would like to see 3 forwards crashing the box, with mid-feild support. one middie hanging back to support the defense should a quick counter for phillie occure on the backside of a washington attack. quick ball movement, and not as much backward passing will create offensive opertunities. moving the ball quickly from one flank to another to change the point of attack will assist the offense and wreek havoc with the phillie defense. If We play a high energy game with Phillie sporting alot of inexperience on the pitch I think we will be too much for phillie to handle. Would caution however not to take phillie lightly. do not make the mistake of looking beyond them to the next matchup. stay focused and i beleive washington will remain undefeated. take phillie for granted, and Phillie could pull off the surprise. Adendum: No kelly G?...can you say Mistake?...knew ya could. I don't get it!..She would have been the perfect plater to step into Mia's left mid-flank position, allowing Mia to move up top with Abby, or atleast into attacking Mid position. Oh well.... GO FREEDOM!!!