Okay since the first of this thread was lost by the Big Crash... let's pick up with this one. As of 8/1/02: Philadelphia 35 pts with three games left Carolina 33 pts with three games left Washington 32 pts with two games left Atlanta 31 pts with three games left San Jose 28 pts with three games left Philly's shedule: Sat, August 3 San Diego @ Philadelphia Wed, August 7 San Jose @ Philadelphia Sat, August 10 Philadelphia @ Atlanta Carolina's remaining schedule: Sat, August 3 San Jose @ Carolina Wed, August 7 Carolina @ New York Sun, August 11 Carolina @ San Diego Washington's schedule: Sun, August 4 Atlanta @ Washington Sat, August 10 Washinton @ New York Atlanta's schedule: Sun, August 4 Atlanta @ Washington Wed, August 7 San Diego @ Atlanta Sat, August 10 Philadelphia @ Atlanta San Jose's schedule: Sat August 3 San Jose @ Carolina Wed August 7 San Jose @ Philadelphia Sat August 10 San Jose @ Boston How it breaks down: (1) Carolina and Philly are not playing their best. Philly has just lost to NY and SJ. Carolina has lost three in a row. (2) Atlanta and Washington are the hottest teams right now. (3) Fourth place is 4 pts away from 1st... everything is very tight and no one has clinched yet. At this point, we don't even know who will have homefield advantage. (4) Washington has one less game to play than the other teams. (5) All of SJ's remaining games are on the road. (6) Atlanta has the most packed schedule... 5 games in 15 days...yeesh! (7) Philly was missing five starters tonight...injuries are hurting them badly. Any other comments???? I still see Atlanta, Philly, Washington and Carolina in the final four... I just have no idea of the order. It's anyones game!!
Hottest teams in the league right now are the Freedom and Beat. Don't really know the status of Scoobychon (there ya' go LoTheLurker)..but damn did Philly really stink it up tonight. Sure they may have not had their big dawgs in there but whatever happened to their so called depth? If Scoobychon gets her left big toe fixed by next month...good chance she will be called over to play for France in a very important WCQ match.
But one can argue thatCarolina has the easiest Schedule coming up. We've got both Washington and Phily, and a megapissedoff San Diego.
Well.... as of 8/4/02... (1) Philly and Carolina have secured playoff spots. (2) Atlanta and Washington each need a win in their remaining games to make it to the playoffs. (3) I worry about fatigue for both teams while playing in the smoltering DC weather. I'm Especially concerned for the Beat. They have got to be feeling the load of their schedule. They have to be mentally focused today to secure their spot. (4) In my opinion, the Beat have the best bench and depth. I'd be happy with a win or tie today and a win against SD at home on Wednesday. (5) Philly will definitely not bring their best when they play against us on Saturday... so a win there is a high possiblity as well.
i'm pretty sure Pichon will be in France for this match. (i know there was talk about it i'm not sure if she actually is going) and i think Mitts is still on the bench.
Interesting point brought up in the AJC article - It will be interesting to see if Philly will put their regulars on the pitch against Atlanta, if first place is on the line for them - I bet they do! I don't see Coach Kirk pulling a Sawyer move to rest starters and concede first place to Carolina.