http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/5091509.htm A line speculates about Anne Makinen in the back as a defender, so Krikorian throws a curve. Assuming Makinen is penciled in as a central defender then the draft takes on a new light. Still Orlandos has the reputation. But the proof will be on the pitch. It's NOT all about reputation, but performance, and we'll know in a couple months. Paul, you have a chicken little mentality. Look at the good. My faith is more in Krikorian, when it comes to talent evaluation than myself, and all the other posters.
The defender pool looks like Mitts, Tietjen, Benson, Kraus, plus Makinen? Alfiler looks like she's on the outside looking in. Who knows? Mak might see action as an emergency defender, much like Tullock was last season.
The Charge site has a story on McVeigh... http://www.philadelphiacharge.com/press_room/338401.html Again the mentioning of being a central defender. So Krikorian saw her play twice. Again it's the skill which matters most, Charge defenders need the ability to have good distirbution, and it would appear McVeigh has talent there. If the other team can't get possession, that's the best way to defend. So Makinen, Kraus and McVeigh essentially replace Iverson and Hall.
wow thats really weird that Mak would be put at D considering her poor defensive skills are one of the biggest reasons she was traded. http://www.washingtonfreedom.com/fan_zone/336494.html
Perhaps Krikorian is a better coach than Gabarra?? The key about the Charge defenders is ball skills, ability to distribute and not be turnover machines in the back. Time will tell. My initial observation was Makinen would be more of a target style player used to hold the ball in the offensive end, for runners like Scasna, Pichon and Arrington. We shall see,
I agree, she will be a target player or a holding mid to give tullock time further up or a night off. She is also useful up front when the rooster comes crowing for pichon. as a defender, errr yes kirk is a better coach than gabby but i dunno, mak has alot of defensive flaws for me to move her to defender without alot of convincing reps in practice first.
I only mentioned the defensive possibility because Krikorian mentioned it. I was more thinking of her physical presence being able to hold possession. Also, don't forget Kelly Smith will be seeing the ball in midfield a lot of the time, so it's NOT like we would expect makinen to be seeing major minutes. Right now, a midfield of Tullock Fair Monroe and Smith would be my guess, assuming Zhao is gone. Scasna and Pichon are the forwards. Backline is Mitts Benson Tietjen and and international. Arrington comes off the bench for offense. And I'd see Misaki also doing that. McVeigh I'd view as Tullocks back-up. And as Cachundo has mentioned Solo is Jorge Campos in dusguise.