Nothing that we don't already know, but about sums up the disaster that was the 2002 season. http://cybersoccernews.com/wusa/sandiego/020919spirit.shtml The longer we don't have a coach, the harder it will be to get "2 or 3 outstanding, impact players."
Why can't we pinpoint the problems? The wild thing is that we have a well-rounded team on paper. We have a Shannon MacMillan, a Julie Foudy, a Joy Fawcett, a Rhiannon Tanaka, a Shannon Boxx, and the list goes on...but what exact angle of depth are we lacking? What made Carolina change so drastically? We have the talent...now, what and WHO is it going to take to utilize that talent?
Good thoughtful analysis. Lots of material there for discussion. So where did Mac play the most during the first season? More centrally? She did have a disappointing year in 2002. Particularly after coming into the season after a whiz-bang outing with the Nats.
Wrong. We DO have the talent to compete, we have the talent to be FC champs, the talent just doesnt show up to play 100% every game... Honestly I think the Spirit has the MOST talent actually. I dont think we need lots of new players, we just need to re-dedicate the ones we have, get 2 GOOD foreign players, get rid of Sauer, get a coach that knows what hes doing, and we'll be set!
I totally disagree with you. We have the talent to compete, but not to win. Even our talent isn't put together right. We have two attacking right side strikers in Zhang and Mac. We moved Mac over to the left side for much of 2002 and look what happened. Fleeting was a big help later in the year but even she lacks experience and I remain unconvinced she is someone who can take us to the promised land. She is a plus though. Our midfield is a muddle. Foudy stands out in terms of class but she is not a true playmaker (more of a holding midfielder). We lack that perfect touch out of the midfield to spring our forwards free. It's possible our rookie - I always forget her name - will develop, but it would be a lot to ask. I personally like Boxx at defensive mid a lot but even she was off her 2001 form in 2002. She needs to redevote herself to raise her game back up again. Both Fan and Joy had off years in the back IMHO, particularly Fan, but Joy too, who was exposed way too often. I like Tanaka a lot but she didn't settle in in 02 until late in the year. We lack strength in the back - a true rock through which no one shall pass, especially against some of the other big (and fast!) forwards in the league. Just staying the same won't cut it. Everyone is constantly improving in this (obviously young) league - we need to improve faster. And our goalkeeping last year was a disaster, particularly Pags. Pags had a great 2001 but was amiss in 2002. It is anyone's guess if she can regain her form. Being called into the Nats camp, even if only for a look see, may help. Smolak seems like just another goalkeeper to me. We do not hvae more talent than any other team in the league. That is precisely the type of thinking that got us into trouble in the first place, and how anyone could say that after missing out on the playoffs the first two years in the league is sort of beyond me. Right now we are a puzzle with many missing pieces. We have a LONG way to go before putting it all together.
And the worst part of that is the spaces in the puzzle where we are trying to put those pieces, keeps changing shape...so we don't even know what pieces to look for until we find something more concrete. I agree with Flashman in that we have a long way to go...but I'm willing to be along for the ride. "The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it."
Something that this article didn't mention is the attempts that management made before the season to sign two different international players that might have made a lot of difference. Any one remember Hanna Ljundberg? What might have happened if she had agreed to sign (instead of the team later picking up Zhung)? She is a big, fast, skilled forward who could have played the left side, allowing Mac to continue doing what she had been doing on the right. She was good enough to garner a lot of votes (from the coaches who actually knew what they were doing) for the 2001 FIFA player of the year.
Re: Why can't we pinpoint the problems? they got prinz up front who had a huge impact. she helped fotop up top. they put in unni lehn who didn't have that great of a year imo, but played an impact they got nel fetig and slaton on their backline, which helped them tremendously. thats 4 players that started that they didn't have last year. there might be 1 or 2 more, i'm not that familiar w/ carolina
i don't think it's wise to dwell on what ifs. that doesn't really help since obviously that didn't pan out. right now, there is a problem. mac isn't effective, and i think a large part of that is due to players not getting her the ball in an oppurtunistic manner. you guys were last in goals in the league defense/goalie was a key minus for the spirit. you guys let 42 goals in. only new york had more, and most of the top 6 teams kept it 35 or below. i have faith w/ the possibility that you can turn it around. look at dc and carolina, they finsihed last 2 and made it to the fc. however; you guys not having a coach yet does hurt things. i'd say you are 3 or 4 players away from where you want to be. the draft will give you something good (prolly reddick? or maybe welsh. i don't think you'll go after solo, but pags did have a poor showing). you also will free up 1 foreign spot w/ akide gone...
in MY opinion, we have the most talent...we do have the talent to win. look at the prediction someone did before the 2001 season with the charge, they said they had no talent, and they went to the playoffs...
It takes more than just talent to be successful in pro sports. Often times the most talented athletes are not willing to put out the work necessary to be a winner.
The Spirit haven't had the talent. They play hard, just like any team in the league. But talent, in the end, has won out. I don't think you can look at the team the last two years and say they've dogged it, which is essentially what you're saying.
so they have the talent but they're dogs ('cause they've been dogging it). and you're still a fan of the team? if for no other reason, our foreign contingent is so weak that we clearly don't have the talent of other teams. but i won't try to change your mind.