The cynic in me sees the number of available Charge field players at 9??? And getting a few more healthy people up to Oneonta was needed. Paul, we'll need a FULL scouting report from you. On another front, I noticed the Charge are he ONLY WUSA side with NO off season practices.
Well, let's eliminate who's not going to be there Monday; Rakel, Benny, Kelly, Mary-Frances, Stacey; they're all in varying stages of injury (finally found out what Tullock's injury was which KO'd her from the national team camp last month, an MCL, but she'll be fine per Coach K). Healthy scratches (NTD): Lihong, who today had a goal and two assists in a 4-0 wipeout of the South Koreans as women's soccer at the Asian Games in Pusan, Korea concluded this morning. Pichon, of course is busy with some stuff over in England ;-) (BTW: North Korea (4-0-1) won the Asian Games women's football gold; China (3-0-2) the silver and Japan the bronze (3-1-1). The PRK's only blemish on a perfect run was a draw with China, who hurt themselves with a 2-2 tie against Japan which probably would have them sharing the gold with the North Koreans). Definites: Those who showed up at the party last night, plus the 3 who will join them (Spinelli, Toland and Allgyer); with all the injuries, they simply didn't have enough healthy bodies to field an 11-woman team. So that leaves as perhaps en route to NY, but who simply passed on last night's gig - Schillig (I was looking forward to seeing her, too, that was the only downer of an otherwise great time), Hall, Alfiler and Demko. Lineup? Your guess is as good as mine: Moore (1st half)/Zabala (2nd half) Tietjen, Iverson, Fair, Mitts McDowell, Conners, (Alfiler, two of the three newbies??) Koleski, Martin Paul
I believe Karvelsson has progressed to the point where she could play, if she dared so. Hall, Alfiler, I don't believe are any where near Philadelphia. And Demko is MIA... At least the weather won't be like today, so enjoy your trip up there and dress for a NY autumn... I'd believe the North Koreans had a huge HOME field advantage in Pusan, even though it's at the very edge of the peniusula... Early in September the North Koreans and the South Koreans played a match in Seoul, and it was a lovefest with the crowd cheering wildly for UNIFICATION for 90 minutes. So much for North Korea being an empire of evil in the eyes of the South.
We got as chance to talk with the walking wounded and things sounded good. It sounds like Rakel's knee is doing great, but her physical conditioning is still below playing level. Kelly was in very good spirits. She is running again. I don't know when Benny's accident was or any specific details. Scott talked to a player I won't name, who said she was only away for a few days and that she was expected to be in NY on Monday. On the assistant coach issue, Krikorian told the room that they were looking at several candidates. Candidates they have approached, and candidates who have approached the team. It was not a process that was going to be rushed. I think that if the candidate is currently coaching on the college level, the announcement will not be made until after the season is over. Krikorian may have a short list, but I don't think he has made a decision yet. Dwight
I take the Charge's search for an assistant is comparable to what San Diego is doing. I think San Diego is going the college route, and there may be even a verbal agreement already, or at least BS posts have the field narrowed to three. Ever since cachundo posted about Catharina Linder, a player at Hartford, examining the background of Eva Bengsten put her high on my list. Couple years on the Swedish national side, played for Kirk in college, head coach at Kirk's most recent college job. I'd be stunned if Eva and Kirk had NEVER spoken about the position. And the other question would be, will there be a 3rd coach??
Also remember that with Mark gone, Eva has done a great job in maintaining their great record despite Hartford being a relative small school without too many resources.
There is no evidence whatsoever, other than my speculation, Eva Bengsten will be coming to the Charge. Ultimately, she may have other aspirations. But looking for candidates, she fits the profile I would have. I believe the person who'd become the assistant is otherwise occupied at the moment, either with college coaching, or some other place. And I'm sure Krikorian knows her strengths and weaknesses, whereas an OTHER generic college coach from Podunk U in Omaha, would be LESS known to Krikorian.