New Charge website stuff...

let's speculate some more and we get a story on their site...

1st it's draft speculation, and then a story...

then assistant speculation and a story...

what other speculative interests can we find to generate another story??

 

The only people who will affect Krikorians choices in the draft, are his coaches, himself, and posibly a few sources in the college game.

If you listen to the fans, then you become NY for a year.

 

are you implying NY listened to the fans by trading wagner?

i agree you gotta take what is the best and not what is popular...or in another example

Any eagle fan still want to be listened to when they begged reid and co to take ricky williams over donavan mcnabb?

 

What I'm saying is, it's the rare fan who knows as much as the coach or manager, except in some rare cases where a coach or manager is a total idiot.

The expert could miscalculate in a given case, but, on the whole , an expert would make MORE correct judgments than a fan.

NY reference means being in LAST place.

 

good point Z

unless said coach is named jim gabbara, thomas rongen or mike ditka

kirk has always defied the fans, critics, press, and even in the case of pichon, the league...fitting that he coaches in the birthplace of rebellion.

and of course that rebellion brought his team to the top...anyone else wanna see me dig up that old thread where i blasted kirk for smith over sissi...we all know how that turned out in the end

 

Krikorian is generally ahead of the curve in talent evaluation...

He knows the model he wants to build...

I wonder if Fair continues to be a part of that model...

I do think Withers is drafted and Fair become Zhao, assuming the Chinese are gone...

And Zhao is alledged to have informed Krikorian of her availablility already...

 

i think fair is gradually gonna be worked out but in 2003 with alot of questions of availiblity itd be prudent to keep fair in the mix...but probley as a winger like she was in the final 1/3 of the season...im split on if i think zhou will be back or not after reading the article on Ma.

 

With the trade that NY made to get themselves another GK, forget about them trading up to # 7 to get Solo. But does that mean Krikorian will use that pick to take Solo?

 

I agree NY getting Smolak would answer their keeper problem.

I still take Solo, if I was Krikorian...

Withers, Solo, and the best available forward.

The foreign allocations might address the forward matter.

And if Withers is taken by Boston, then I take Orlandos, who addresses the 3rd central defender depth-wise.

In any sport where play-offs exist, the idea is peaking and playing ones best once play-off season rolls around. Staying healthy, NOT wearing out your players, and having sufficient talent to make the play-offs is the key.

And then having very special players in the play-offs, the type player who INFLUENCES the outcome of any game is needed.

In Pichon and Smith, the Charge have those players.

Allen Iverson and McNabb are special too.

No matter your dislike for a certain persons cultural choices, it doesn't change what they contribute when they play.

They win. And winning counts a lot in this culture.

 

with the power however taking smolak, would she stay on the board past 9 and possibly have us pick her up in the 2nd round, is there anyone better than solo at the 7 hole assuming we take a forward 6?

 

why gamble...??

He who hesitates is lost.

I say we need an upgrade at the 2nd keeper, more than anoither field talent, given 4 and 6 are field players.

 

if you really feel that way about a goalie i agree take solo 7th. unless greathouse gets cut then you claim her and gamble.

your right why gamble.

 

Why gamble when you have the opportunity to take the best young GK available in a 4-year horizon.

When you take the time to analyze the generational aspect, there is no other GK better than Solo that's available +/- 2 years from today. That includes last season's draft hopefuls. Solo's been the starting GK her past four years in the WNT youth teams. Solo's either that good, or she's the best of a lousy generation.

Last season, only 3 starting GKs started healthy, ended the season healthy, & didn't have a sub-par season. Having a GK who's healthy and has a good season seems to be in the minority. It's such a specialist position that a good GK will keep you in the game, or win one for you at times. Take a look at the teams who made it to the big dance - did they have a so-so GK?

If for some reason Melissa's a sieve next season, you've got a good insurance policy in Solo. How bad can that be?

 

I fully agree with cachundo about Solo.

Defensively though, the Charge are so good, beginning with Monroe and McDowell in midfield back through the defense.

If Withers is added, then Fair gets moved (positionally, NOT traded) , and the Charge become even more tight.

Ultimately the question is, is Solo or Zabala more preferred.

Solo has talent, and a better upside, while Zabala has more experience.

But we're not asking Solo to step in as #1 keeper. The pressure isn't on her.

I say Moore can play 14 matches and Solo 7, and Moore is the playoff keeper.

Now if in the 7 matches Solo gives up only 2 or 3 goals, then I might change my mind about who's the #1.

And with #7 pick, a forward is drafted, and I believe the foreign allocations will be offensively skilled talents.