So who would you pick as your Player of the Month? (Not an idle question - I'm one of the voters as I'm on the Spirit's media list.) Each team has named their preferred candidate, though picking one of them is not obligatory: Boston - Naeher Chicago - Chalupny FCKC - Barnhart Portland - Vero Seattle - Fletcher Sky Blue - Cutshall Washington - Harris WNY - Zerboni (I don't know why there's no entry for Houston.)
From what I've heard, some teams decide not to put anyone up for consideration. I guess Houston didn't think any of their players were POTM-worthy. Out of those names, I'd pick either Harris or Zerboni, but if we're talking people who weren't put up, my choice is Kerr.
Goebel this month drew PK's in the first 2 games on nice turns in the box, both plays led to game winning goals. She had an assist in the first Sky Blue game, and scored game winner against Boston.
Sky Blue: Katy Freels. -Golazo in losing effort, first Reign game. -Assist on Maia Hayes goal v Chicago that earns tie. -Golazo against Portland to help blow up the Death Star. That goal's only 2 meters high, just like bulls-eyeing swamp rats back home.
I'd go with Zerboni among those listed -- but Freels and Goebel would also be worthy. Freels maybe would be my number one choice because she's the bright star along with Cameron of what on paper is a weak team.
Barny was the one nominated from her team. Don't know if there will be too many write ins for the others
I am quite surprised at the choice of Cutshall for SkyBlue. She had a good month, but was it really better than Freels?
I've been looking through highlight reals to supplement the full games I've watched. Haven't seen them all yet (hopefully today-NWSL geek day for me). In limited games, Carli Lloyd's production is prolly 2nd to none this month.
From what I've seen in person and on "film" Katy Freels is probably just below Kim Little/Vero Boquete quality, with nowhere to go but up, as far as her vision and passing and movement off the ball, she really appears comfortable in a crowd.
I'd put her a close second behind Kerr, to be honest. Kerr was the driving force in the huge win over Portland, and the win over Chicago. When Kerr was good, the Flash got results. When she wasn't, losses usually happened. But as a counterpoint, I have yet to see Kerr completely put the Flash on her back the way Lloyd did against Boston. And WNY will need both of them at that level to topple Seattle tonight.