Ok almost done with the previews here. There will inevitably be some mistakes/ommissions so let me know. Check it out here: http://twurl.nl/cu8q4e
You misspelled "omissions". I noted at some point that Sky Blue had the most players called into the latest WNT camp of any WPS team, and that was without Kai or Rampone. Odds are they're going to do well this year. (Frankly, I never understood why they hired Sawyers in the first place when they had Charlie Naimo in the organization.)
@JeffKassouf Sky Blue FC goalkeeper Jenni Branam out ~2 months with fractured patella, suffered in Monday's scrimmage vs. Arsenal World Class boys.
Karen Bardsley is an excellent goalkeeper. This may not hurt Sky Blue as much as you'd think. (As long as she stays healthy) college: Cal St Fullerton (when current USC coach Ali Khosroshahin was coach; also I think a teammate of Gold Pride's Kandace Wilson) England - should be getting the start for her national team except, for some reason, Hope Powell insists on sticking with Rachel Brown. W-League experience: Ajax America and (I think) one of Charlie Naimo's teams. Backup for Sky Blue last year - she did fine.
I agree. Didn't Branam end up getting the permanent starting gig last season only after Bardsley hurt her back? Granted, iirc, Bardsley hadn't beat Branam out significantly (ie it was 1a & 1b rather than 1 & 2). Don't get me wrong, I'm a Branam fan (despite the fact that she's guaranteed to have at least one significant mental lapse per game) and loved seeing her do well last season -- this injury sucks. But in some ways it makes Miettinen's job easier. And Bardsley did get the start over Brown in the recent WCQs.
Bummer about Branam, but Bardsley did a fine job for them when she played last season. I actually thought she might have won the starting spot, but as I recall, she had some lingering injury issues early in the season. I agree that she should be seeing more time in goal for England--I've seen Rachel Brown give up some howlers. At least Bardsley's getting more starts for them, and not just against the minnows. I think Sky Blue will do just fine with her in goal. But I'm curious to see who they use as their insurance keeper, since they really do need another with Branam out. Is Sophia Perez still working for the club?
At the Meet the Team on Saturday, Gerry the GM said that Jenni's operation went well (doctors- "unremarkable") and recovery is projected at 8-12 weeks. Overheard Anita Asante say she is working out with the team.