Evidently Joy had ankle surgery today to clean up bone spurs in ankle. I just got the news from Jon Greene. Holly cow, what does that do to tomorrow!
Here's the text from the Spirit press release "Contact: Aaron Heifetz, 619/278-3182 or Jon Greene, 619/278-3186 Spirit Will Be Without Defensive Anchor vs. Boston Breakers Tomorrow at Torero Stadium JOY FAWCETT UNDERGOES ANKLE SURGERY THIS MORNING; DEFENDER WILL MISS OPENER AND IS OUT TWO-TO-FOUR WEEKS SAN DIEGO - San Diego Spirit defender Joy Fawcett underwent successful arthroscopic ankle surgery this morning to remove bone spurs from her right ankle. She is expected to be back in the lineup in two-to-four weeks. Release Summary Ø Fawcett has never missed a Spirit game due to injury. Ø If Fawcett takes the full four weeks to recover, she would miss three to four games. "She just needed a lube and oil change in that ankle," said Spirit athletic trainer Tony Ontiveros. "It started bothering her this week, but we didn't know how much it was hurting until late yesterday. It's better to take care of it sooner than later, especially early in the season. We all know of Joy's amazing healing powers and we expect a speedy recovery." Fawcett, who has played 211 times and in five world championships for the U.S. Women's National Team, has never missed a Spirit game due to injury, but did miss most of the 2001 WUSA season after recovering from the birth of her third daughter. "Anytime you lose one of the best the defenders in the world, it's going to be tough on the team," said Spirit head coach Omid Namazi. "No one person can replace her so everyone on the team needs to step up their games. It's a big challenge, but one the players will respond to." If Fawcett takes the full four weeks to recover, she would miss three to four games. "It's not a big thing, just something I have to take care of," said Fawcett. "It hurts to miss the first game, but I have tremendous confidence in my teammates. They have trained hard and are ready to compete. The San Diego fans are the best in the country and I can't wait to get back and play for them."
What a major,major bummer!!! The one person that the team could least afford to lose, especially when she will also be gone for national team duty...
And so it begins. Is this some joke? I can't believe it. We better score at least 4 tomorrow or we're in trouble. o yea. Get well Joy!!
Who plays in the center? Maybe Daniela, but there is no one with experience there. I've always felt Foudy would be a great "libero" with a big, fast marking back in front of her (Pickup?). That would require them to play a 4-4-2 and its too late to change systems now. Conners could slide into the left back slot, pushing Pickup or Krzykowski in the middle. Ronnie Fair? I don't think so. We'll see tomorrow.
The only good thing about this is that the team only has 3 games to play in those 4 weeks. I wonder what the coach had planned to do for those games when Joy was away for NWT duty? This is where Winzen would have been an option... And I notice that there was no mention of which 'reserve' player was going to be called up while Joy was designated as injured...
What a nightmare. Condolences. If the Breakers defense is as porous as it was last year, this could be one high scoring match tomorrow.
I don't think Zhang has joined the team yet (visa problems) so with Joy out, all the reserve and developmental players should be suited up tomorrow. If this were an away game, only the reserve players would be going. Time to learn to how to pronounce Alfiler.
Taking a contrarian view, SD would have defensive problems all season long even if Fawcett were 100%. Much like last season. She's a decent defender, but not worth the hype. The silver lining in all this is that it provides a challenge for the unheralded defenders, & it will test Namazi's tactical brilliance. Time for the rest of the defense to dig deep and find out if they're up to the task. The solution: I see Foudy making a permanent move to the defense.
Dude that sucks. Poor Joy. But I guess better she take care of it now for the sake of both the Spirit and the NT. Get well soon Joy.
This doesnt look to great, but as Cachundo said, I wouldnt be surprised to see some of the midfield trying out the defense. I think out of all of them Foudy could play center. I hope it all works out!
According to Mark Zeigler's article in this morning's paper, coach Namazi is going to 4 backs and 1 forward. Also mentioned is that Zhang has finally made it to town... http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/uniontrib/sat/sports/news_1s5spirit.html