That is not the point. An offensive player whose shot is deflected into the goal off the goal-keeper or a defender receives credit for the goal, provided the momentum of the shot carried the ball into the goal, regardless of whether the shot was initially going wide, as long as the momentum of the shot is what carries the ball into the goal. That was not an own goal.
On behalf (hopefully) of all of us... In the Charge forum, congratulations on your victory. If the schedule form holds true, we've got you twice in our house next year. We've got unfinished business to take care of in 2003 and like the Rock says nowadays - we'll bring the whuppin', you bring the backside Seriously, and again, congrats on making the trophy presentation a Mia-free zone. We're not all with blinders on, sometimes... Paul
Re: Tar Heel of the Week It' s all relative. Two years ago, the N&O gave the Hurricanes the same treatment they gave the Courage this season. (almost none) But their coverage of the Canes THIS year shows that advertisers go with a winner. Hopefully, the Courage will get covered on the front of the sports page in the N&O the day before, the day of, and the day after EVERY game, just like fottball, basketball, and hockey do.
No data, but it's my estimation that about a third of the crowd were neutral fans enjoying the game, a bit less than a third were Washington fans, and a bit more than a third were Carolina fans. There was one section in rhe east stands where a bunch of Blue Lion fans were doing pretty disciplined cheering. When I went to the FanFest, there were definitely more Carolina fans than Washington ones. It's a shorter drive, of course.
Heres some more pics: Burt & Luckenbill http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/u/wire/photos/bldphoto.cgi?AXB104082418 Unni Lehn vs Ann Cook http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/u/wire/photos/bldphoto.cgi?AXB101082417 Slaton and Bai Jie http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/u/wire/photos/bldphoto.cgi?AXB102082417 TR and Bai Jie http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/020825/170/23tug.html More celebration with the Cup http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/020824/170/23tse.html Prinz with her MVP trophy http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/020824/170/23tph.html Luckenbill makes a save http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/020824/170/23tow.html Wilson vs Hamm Part 2 http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/020824/170/23top.html Celebration again http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/020824/170/23tkm.html Jones vs Riise http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/020824/170/23tb1.html
I loved the interview with Birgit after the game. Fotop was making faces to try and make her laugh... she's like, "you play 90 minutes of soccer and then you have to give an interview in English..." After doing a pretty good job but stumbling a bit she just summed it up: "We are glad!"
another article: http://carolinacourage.com/323315.html and this one: http://www.herald-sun.com/sports/18-260583.html
Even tho they have DSA written across...they are still good. Riise Roberts and Overbeck w/ the Cup http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=8000 Lehn http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=8001 Roberts http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=8002 Slaton & Fotop after Fotops goal http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=8003 Riise Fotop Prinz hug http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=8004 Prinz http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=8005 Roberts http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=8006 Roberts http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=8007 Lehn http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=8009 A Slaton tackle http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=8010 Roberts header http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=8011 The TR shield http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=8012 Riise, Roberts, the Cup, Overbeck, Slaton, Marcia http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=8013 Fettig and Burt http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=7997 Riise http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=7996 O'Hanley gives a nice look at Bai Jie http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=7995 OHanley http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=7994 Lucks points 'em out http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=7993 Carla gives a nice smile http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=7992 Final Whistle Celebration http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=7991 Get 'em Danielle!! http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=7990 Slaton http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=7989 Marcia laughs http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=7988 Barnes holds the cup http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=7985 Prinz http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=7984 Fotop stops the ball http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=7983 Barnes, O'Hanley kiss the Cup http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=7982
Heres some more pics... Riise Roberts Burt w/ Cup http://www.internetsoccer.com/images/trophy2.jpg Riise Roberts Overbeck Burt w/ Cup http://www.internetsoccer.com/images/ACF6BDC.jpg Prinz http://www.internetsoccer.com/images/ACF6BE7.jpg Fotop http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=7981 Prinz http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=7980 Prinz celebrates her goal http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=7979 Champions with their trophy http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=7975 Starting Lineup http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=7973 Roberts http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=7972 Access Denied http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=7971 Courage Captains http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=7970 Fotop http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=7967 Prinz celebrates again http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=7966 Prinz http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=7965 Prinz again http://www.digitalsportsarchive.com/product_view_details.asp?ProductID=7964
Sorry to get in on this late but I just got back from Atlanta. One question: what happened to O'Hanley's goal? I saw her shoot and ball go into the net and then everyone trot up field 'cause the ref called something. For the life of me, and actually the Crusaders sitting near by, couldn't see what was called. The linesman's flag was down do no offsides and no foul I saw. But... So, if someone watched it on TV could answer this question, I'd appreciate it.
WUSA.com pics Hege Riise goal celebration w/ Fotop & Lehn http://www.internetsoccer.com/images/champ3.jpg Lucks focused on saving the ball http://www.internetsoccer.com/images/champ15.jpg Lucks shuts down Bai Jie http://www.internetsoccer.com/images/champ4.jpg Prinz goal celebration with Riise & bench in pic http://www.internetsoccer.com/images/champ5.jpg Venus James vs Mia http://www.internetsoccer.com/images/champ7.jpg Prinz attacked by Moore http://www.internetsoccer.com/images/champ2.jpg Burt, James, Prinz http://www.internetsoccer.com/images/champ6.jpg Riise, Fotop, and Prinz(?) http://www.internetsoccer.com/images/champ1.jpg Celebration w/ Cup http://www.internetsoccer.com/images/champ13.jpg Prinz with trophy, car key, with teammates congratulaing http://www.internetsoccer.com/images/champ11.jpg More Celebration w/ Cup http://www.internetsoccer.com/images/champ9.jpg
Congrats Courage fans. (a little late but i was away) Good game. Good god it was a hot day!! I have a wicked sunburn.
(i'm a little late too, but didn't have access to a computer) Congrats to the Courage. I knew they could do it! Great year and a great job to a great coach and great players. You've made us proud
A begrudging congrats to Carolina on a fine season and final. One horrendous defensive error and an inability to finish our numerous chances down the stretch did us in - but no one will argue Carolina didn't deserve it. Carolina did what no team has done against DC since April, win a game against us in the second half. I was happy with 1-1 at the half for that reason alone. Since Jon mentions us on O Hanley's non-goal, I saw the ref waive it off immediately - he was certain of an infraction even though we couldn't see it from where we were. Saw the flag wasn't up but didn't know what the call was for, I guess a handball explains it. About a dozen Crusaders in 114 were in full voice all match and even earned some praise from the locals for our zeal. Unfortunately, the designated Freedom section in 106 across the field did jack-crap all match - thanks for nothing guys! The Carolina section in 103 or so was much better, except they spoiled an otherwise decent performance by classlessly starting a Carolina chant during the silence for the presentation of our national colors by the Color Guard. What the hell were they thinking? Anyway, beats losing to Atlanta or Philadelphia - that's for sure!
I just wanted to add to the discussion, I've been back for so long, but I've never gotten to post yet...I went to the game, buying tickets way ahead of time, never expecting to see my favorite team beat Mia!! For anyone that went, wasn't the FanFest awesome?! I got tons of pictures and free stuff, even one with Jules, Brandi, Lil, and Tish. Our seats were great, 2nd row...but one the opposite side as the huge group of Courage fans. =( For whoever also though Brooke had score, stupid me was screaming my head off, then wondering why no one else was celebrating, lol, I eventually figured it out. Those last 30 minutes resulted in me having no fingernails left, I was so nervous....and the HIGHLIGHT--finally getting a pic with Carla! I have about 7 autographs, but no pics, I just hope it turned out good. Oh-and she is coming back, but after knee surgery =( I think shes sticking around for the fun of it. One last note, Nel Fettig was to me the MVP, she saved us. Do you think NY is still wondering why they let her go??
I totally agreea about Nel. Letting her go was the "death nel" for Pat Farmer. Will you be able to post any of your pictures? Would love to see them!