Wow. Looks like we're gonna have a strong forward line. I can't wait to see these gals play this year. The whole league is improved, and the games will all be hard-fought.
wow another forward? Whoa, what are we gonna do? Well....we can do like what Real Madrid does and play four forwards: --------11--------10--------9------------- -------------------8---------------------- ------------------------------------------ --------------7-----------6--------------- ------------------------------------------ -5-----------4-----------3-------------2-- --------------------1---------------------- 1.Scurry 2.Bivens 3.Aug(the one that plays center) 4.Nonen 5.Krzykowski 6.Sawa 7.Serlenga 8.Parlow 9.Dominguez 10.Hooper 11.Pohlers we can rotate the Aug. winger and krzykowski cuz i would like to see them both play. And maybe Stone can even pull off more of a "Real Madrid" by putting the speedy Nonen(like Roberto Carlos) on the wings, getting her into the attack; then Bivens will be in the heart of the defense. I remember something about her joining the attack on the Beat site, so here's her chance!! Also, in this formation, Parlow will play a holding mid/forward role. Hey, now that I think about it, I think this idea would work out perfectly with the people we have!!
This would be a strong lineup. However, if Withers is as good as advertised, I think she will be pushing for a starting spot by the end of the year. In a 4-3-3, all three mids have to be very active defensively to counter any teams that could throw a 3-5-2 at us. This is supposed to be withers specialty. Parlow or Serlenga could be the odd person out in the 4-3-3 formation. The important thing is that the Beat now have great depth. This years team appears to be even better than either of the previous two editions.
I think the key for this season is how well Thomas integrates Pohlers and Maribel into the rotation. I don't think we need a third year of the same ol' Hooper/Parlow combo up front.
I was thinking of having parlow as the withdrawn forward, holding the ball and flicking balls onto the path of the forwards.
If improving the front line is what we needed to do in the offseason I think we did a pretty fine job indeed.
I can't wait to see this team play!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hooper should be happy! I don't think she'll feel like she's "alone" up top anymore! With so many great forwards, Stone could play some for a half then send in fresh legs for the 2nd half. I bet he's looking at not having Hooper and Parlow a lot due to Nat'l team commitments. Those will be the times when Pohlers and Dominguez can really step up. With so many forwards, I wonder where this will leave Burt??
Re: I can't wait to see this team play!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pohlers and Dominguez will have national team stuff too, I'm assuming.