http://www.praguepost.com/P03/2003/Art/0305/sprts1.php good in depth piece on Scasna and her thoughts about the Charge
Good news, fellas. She's single - and looking! Yeah, and I'm sure the Charge wouldn't be upset if she ended up getting a green card. So do your duty, Charge Fan. Date Scasna.
well, g4m....... the only point of concern would be turning pro, having wusa go under, then not being able to get a college scholarship due to turning pro?? if you look at the 3 forwards, Pichon, Arrington, and Scasna, they will be putting a lot of stress of defenses. The opponent always needs to think Kelly Smith first, try to shut down the attack by denying Smith options. And with Hoffmann's acqusition, there's a 2nd play maker option. On paper, this sounds really potent, and given the offense of last year until June, which was on pace for a 50 goal season, 50 would be a worthy goal for these women.
ok, new reality show here... whom will #2fairfan decide upon... in seat #1... a new comer from the great northwest, who can double in a couple positions, Hope Solo... in seat #2... a recent visitor from a place, far, far away, with a czechered past...pavlina scasna.. and in seat #3, the resident hearttrob to thousands in the delaware valley, with a penchant for baseball players...heather mitts... #2fairfan, you may begin your questioning...
You are so right. And if it works out like you describe, statistically no other team has a chance. They've got the offense, they've definitely got a mid. But what about their defense? I wouldnt say with confidence that it is particularly as strong as last year, with the pending EI situation.
The Charge are a very well coordinated team last year defensively, starting with Monroe and McDowell in midfield making it very uncomfortable for other teams to settle into there style of play. And the back 4, were all very well coordinated, with Moore making big saves. I assume Tullock slots into the EI role. While Tullock isn't as tough a physical defender as EI, Tullock offers a little bit better mobility and far superior ball skills. I like Tullock a little bit better too defending the other teams transition and counter games. I still think the Charge, barring injury will be a good defensive side, and have enough talent offensively to be very explosive.
so lets see if this role replacement list is the way im inferring from your posts Z Sascina replaces Clemens (duh) Fair replaces Liu Hoffman replaces Zhou Tullock replaces Iverson Monroe replaces fair in the Dmid Makinen replaces Martin off the bench McVeigh replaces McDowell off the bench Arrington replaces Connors off the bench fair on the wing is better than fair in the Dmid but its still Lorrie Fair, but still better than say Kerry Connors last year. Monroe replacing fair is a move up Makinen is far more firepower off the bench than Martin Arrington as the 12th person well anyone can be less timid than connors was In reality she replaces Enos. Tullock im thinking you were right the first time Adam that her in the CD would be a waste of talent but no worse than fair at right back and moving mitts to CD would be. The wild card here is how good and what kind of player is hoffman, or will we play with only one wing, and a winger named lorrie fair at that.
I think the best midfield would be Smith Hoffmann Tullock and Monroe. Who assumes EI slot might change this though, because Tullock just seems a natural fit. So this puts FAir into midfield. I don't believe Hoffmann nor Scasna are in camp yet. So, the in season version of the Charge is yet to get together. We shall see who plays against Atlanta tomorrow. Karyn Hall is not making the trip due to family obligations. And I wonder if Pichon has left to France to join them in camp for Algarve??
i dunno but the one thing with foreigners is this impacts all teams equally...remember it took pichon a few weeks to get going...and she was in camp for most of it. the problem with the EI thing is that there are very few capible central defenders in what is a very good defense...past the starting 3 you have... Tullock: probs too talented to be wasted in the CD McVeigh: Unproven Fair: A pure right back which would push mitts to center Mitts: Would lose her offensive talents Kraus: Too small to play center Hall: May be lucky to make the team you could go with fair or monroe as a sweeper but that brings out its own problems tullock IS the most logical at this junction but id never count out the creativity of kirk
Pichon has a couple World Cup qualifiers for France last April/early May which kept her very busy. From the scrimmages last year, she fit in right away, as though she'd been playing with every one for years. Moving Tullock deeper, enhances the skill level of the backline. She still will be distributing forward. If the watch the Charge, you see the defenders frequently make many lateral passes, changing the focus off play, and then make a critical pass forward. Tullock can still do this, and has better mobility than Iverson. Last year, defending the counter/transition game was the one area where the Charge needed to improve. And with a more mobile Tullock, and fewer give-ways from defenders leading to this transition, then I believe the defensive question is answered in Tullock. And then as McVeigh gets experience, she can step in. McVeigh and Tullock appear to have similar strengths. I'm more concerned with Scasna and Hoffmann getting their work visas within the next week or so.