I'm a bit shocked to see you say that. I would've thought you'd think Heath is a much more technically skilled player than that...
She is, but she also "can get endline like HAO did," which is what I was responding to. In fact, Heath provides a nice contrast to HAO -- matches up with HAO's endline ability, but is much more versatile and skilled, which makes her a different kind of, and probably significantly better, attacking player. And, apparently, more of what Ellis is looking for. Don't get me wrong about HAO, though, I think she's a great player and I like her as a NT player. But Heath -- and now Dunn, in my opinion -- bring more to the table than HAO.
Sure she can get to the endline. But not like HAO did. That's what I'm saying. That's also what I'm saying. HAO was predictable. You know what she's gonna do (get the ball, run to the endline, and cross it in), but she does it so well, it doesn't matter that you know. Heath is unpredictable. You don't know what she's gonna do.
True that makes sense. I think Vlatko's expectation of wide players is different from Harvey's so Leroux will need to adjust but still could be doable. If Vlatko can get Arod, Leroux, and Groom on the field at the same time while being productive, he should be coach of the year. Time will tell I guess, but this task seems more difficult than last year.
Just for fun...bc predicting a starting line-up in January is dumb. But I am intrigued. Comments....? I like the 1st option because I think this is where our defense is the strongest but the 2nd option probably gets the best players on the field together...though not all in their ideal positions. Barnhart Bowen - Taylor - Brunn - Gibbons Leroux - Scott - Laddish - Ribiero - Groom Arod or Barhart Taylor - Averbuch - Brunn - Bowen Leroux - Scott - Laddish - Groom - Gibbons Arod
FCKC draft pick Stephanie Ribeiro has a torn ACL and is out indefinitely, presumably for the entire #NWSL season— Dan Lauletta (@TheDanLauletta) March 13, 2017 KC's draftees are dropping like flies.
http://equalizersoccer.com/2017/03/20/preseason-roundup-leroux-a-rod-score-on-returns-ohai-krieger/ Goals make us happy so on #InternationalDayOfHappiness here are some goals from our preseason game yesterday ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/v6RZLKl0CF— FC Kansas City (@FCKansasCity) March 20, 2017 Goals
I feel better now about Penn State getting beat 3-0 by the Spirit in preseason. That was a beat down by FC KC on Mizzou, 7-0.
Yes i'm certainly bummed about that. We probably didn't need BOTH Ribiero AND Payne but it sucks not to have either. I hate ACL's, hope she has a speedy recovery!
http://www.thebluetestament.com/2017/3/21/15005446/fc-kansas-city-dominates-in-7-0-preseason-victory Here's a link to another preseason game analysis. I commented on SB nation but wanted to pose some of the same questions to you guys.... First of all, i’m quite annoyed FCKC doesn’t have a preseason game in KC. I always make it to at least one preseason game but it doesn’t look like I will this year because of coaching commitments. So I have a few questions. - I have heard conflicting reports on the formation. The writer made it seem like more of a 4-4-2 but other stuff i’ve read (the above equalizer article) made it seem like they were playing a 4-3-3. I know it typically isn’t a big deal bc they ran a 3-5-2 a lot in preseason last year in preseason and scratched it but i’m just especially interested to see how Vlatko will get Groom, Arod and Leroux on the field. - Let’s go thru who will prob make the squad based on this article : 1. Taylor 2. Brunn 3. Beal (Is a 4th round pick higher on the depth chart than Reed and Arlitt? Who were both returnerns from last year.) 4. Gibbons (Glad to hear she was impressive. So excited to see her play) 5. Barnhart 6. Scott 7. LaBonta (She was an unsung hero last year during the Olympics. Glad she doing well) 8. Newfield (Seemed to fall out of favor by the end of the season last year…what’s changed?) 9. Bowen 10. Groom 11. Leroux 12. Arod 13. Tymrak 14. Laddish (Is she still recovering from offseason surgery? Hope it’s just minor as I see her as a major part of our midfield) 15. Moros 16. Averbuch 17. Back-up Keeper (Parkhill? – I think we need an upgrade here which I will explain below) - This leaves 3 field player positions up for grabs. Based on the above list here are numbers by position: defenders (6ish), Midfielders (7ish), Forwards (3) already. - It will be interesting to see where Vlatko thinks he needs depth. Here is what I think… - Either Reed or Arlitt will be cut which leaves two spots for attacking players. - Of Toohey, Stieever, Hellstrom (Canadian Int and we don’t have an available slot), Shaffer (draft pick) who should make it???? - Random thoughts: Local players Caroline Stanley (GK), and Morgan Marlborough (fwd) are free agents right now. I wonder if we will see them in preseason camp. Stanley especially would be a HUGE upgrade at back-up keeper.
No Longer In FC Kansas City CampD - Rachel LeonardMF - Alexis ShafferMF - Meghan TooheyF - Jenna Hellstrom— Chris Henderson (@chris_awk) March 29, 2017
Anyone know what's going on with FCKC players? From their twitter feed from the preseason game last night, it seems that Beal, Kelly, Flynn, and Ratcliffe (Brittany?) all player but none are rostered.
I'm surprised media is acting so confused. The past several years FCKC keeps a couple roster spots open for draft picks/invitees to compete for. Last year Labonta and Weimer were signed later in the season by earning a contract. So I'd assume Beal, Kelly, Flynn, Ratcliffe, and Steiner (she's a local kid i'm excited about) are all still practicing with KC to earn 1 of the 2 remaining roster spots.
Perhaps they are players they want to keep around as "reserves" to be called up as amateur replacements when the NTers are away?
Super tough break with Arod going down for the season in game one. Her reaction after falling over was heartbreaking, part pain and part pure frustration. This will alter Vlatko's plans for sure. If ACL recoveries go well, and FCKC can get some of their wayward players back from overseas, FCKC will have a very strong squad again in 2018. Lots of veteran leadership but youth sprinkled in too. G: Barnhardt, Parkhill (maybe they can resign Henninger?) D: Sauerbrunn, Averbuch, Taylor, Gibbons, Arlitt, Reed, Moros M: Scott, Bowen, Laddish, Labonta, Newfield, Ribeiro, Ratcliffe, Tymrak, O'Reilly F: Rodriguez, Leroux, Groom, Payne *HAO might push for a move to North Carolina, given her history with the place
Last Courage home game she spent part of the game in the supporters section, even banging on the drum. Then was signing autographs for fans after the game. No obvious contact with the team - she definitely hasn't been at practice. I believe she still lives in Chapel Hill. It's not uncommon to find her doing individual drills on Hooker Field (UNC recreational sports) when I'm on campus at Fetzer (Lacrosse/Soccer) or Carmichael (WBB/VB). She also was at the NASL NCFC US Open Cup a few days before the NWSL game.
According to FourFourTwo, O'Reilly is planning to stay at Arsenal for the next season: "O’Reilly was a popular figure in her opening stint with the club, and she is due back in London in mid-August for preseason ahead of her first full season with the team."
May not be the thread to ask, but since I don't know where else would be better: I know that FCKC had a fairly good academy system, right? What happens to that now?
The youth club was separated from the pro club when the team was sold. It will continue to operate, in fact Vlatko is still one of the directors. I would not be surprised if there was a rebrand though.
Good to know. But yeah, if it's still alive then I think a rebrand is necessary, because I thought I read that the FCKC brand itself was part of the sale from Baer to NWSL.
The logo and marks do belong to the league now, they were licensed to the youth club in a very friendly deal. I'm not sure how that will shake out
Yes I will be interested to see what happens with the academy system as well. This all hurts even more after seeing the latest U-23 roster which included 4 area players. Miramontez, Kizer, Hanson, Roberts. Sigh.