Sad.. Again she misses the WC for injury.. She had improved her game a lot too and really earned her place..
Wow, quite a statement. It didn't look like Sinclair did anything dirty on that play. They were both going for the ball. I think Heather's loss to the team will be able to be absorbed, but what a horrible blow personally. She's always been a hard worker and it's a shame. Her tenacious quality should help her get back for the Olympics next year. I wish her the best.
Agreed. Mitts was showing the grit and tenacity that I had always felt she was lacking. It was always easy to criticize her for being just a (very) pretty face and she was proving her nay-sayers wrong. Tough break.
What terrible timing for Mitts. I wish her a speedy and safe recovery. I think the choices on defense will be contingent on whether Markgraf rounds into form or not. If she does, in a 4-back, I see Rampone on the right, Lopez on the left, and Whitehill and Markgraf in the middle. I've never loved Markgraf as an outside back and Rampone has plenty of experience on the right side (and the left). Other options on the right include Ellertson who has played there before but not often. Chalupny can do either side in a pinch but I think she is much more valuable as a midfielder. LePeilbet and Dalmy (other candidates for slots) seem to be more central types (is that true for Dalmy, I don't know much about her?). With the loss of Mitts, it seems very likely that Whitehill and Rampone play every minute (except the truly junk ones). This will all have to be sorted out in the next few matches. I think Ryan is going to have to give someone who hasn't been getting a lot of minutes more minutes, likely Markgraf and then Dalmy/Ellertson. I think Lopez is a lock at this point.
I don't like Markgraf starting anywhere and barely a sub at this moment. She looked shakey last few times I've seen her. I'd rather have Chalupa in the defense because we have a lot better depth in the midfield. Chalupa can always push forward from defense and backpeddle because she's young and looks like she has the stamina.
I agree, and Lopez' emergence this year is looking really huge now. It's going to be an interesting process. The defense has been so impressive these last 2+ years even with several players missing long stretches with injury and childbirth. I hope they rise to the challenge again in Mitts' absence. I wonder how LePeilbet's rehab is progressing.
i agree that rampone is now shifted to the no.1 spot at the right back position. the real question is who is now going to be the official no.2 player there, and who will be the no.2 left back (assuming chalupny stays in the midfield where she is dynamite). i do not know the answer to those questions. we have depth at center back, but not at right back, and not at left back if you keep chalupny in the midfield.
This sucks. It really sucks for Heather, who has worked her butt off and has improved tremendously and has become a real solid player in the back. That she has to miss another World Cup is really crappy. I feel so bad for her.
Truly a shame for Heather and for the team. Count me among those who were skeptical of her at first, but she developed very nicely as an international player and IMO was the most consistant defender the US has had since 2005, along with Whitehill. The team will miss her tenacity and passing out of the back; I know I'm not the only one who holds their breath when Kate or Ellertpong attempt a risky pass, but Mitts usually puts the ball where it needs to go with good pace. This untimely injury is all the more hard to take as this was probably her best chance at a WWC. She'll be 33 by 2011, and while not out of the picture, her best years may be behind her by then. Hope not. Here's hoping she recovers on schedule and is back in form for the Olympics.
What a shame. IMHO Heather never deserved the kind of criticism that she got on these boards - and I said so often. I wish her a speedy recovery.
I'm biased and still :| at what happened, but should Sinclair be suspended by FIFA for that incident or not?
Wow, your quite classy. If you knew anything at all about Sinclair you'd know she's nothing but classy, and would never play dirty, perhaps you have a few things to learn from her. Moving on to something more worth my time. I wish Mitts a speedy recovery, and feel for her missing another world cup due to injury, she really is a great and tough defender.
Dramatic much, Charge? If you watch the replay, they were clearly both after a 50/50 ball, and Mitts' foot unfortunately got in the way of Sinclair's kick. We're saddened at the loss of Mitts, but suggesting that Sinclair had intent is more than a little ridiculous.
i was at the game, saw the mass-o-lady sinclair run into mitts and i knew she tore her acl as soon as she went down its a shame... shes hott.. but there was a gorgeous hispanic looking chick on the bench who can fill in that spot any one who who it was ?
I think it's a great chance for Greg Ryan to call in a couple of experienced players such as Lorrie Fair, Thori Bryan, or Danielle Slaton (is she even playing anymore??).