Our chance to make amends for the opening day loss. Won't be easy. The Breakers are hot. Part of a doubleheader with the SJ Earthquakes v. the NE Revolution playing beforehand. Not on tv. Not sure if there's any way to see this match if you're in SoCal. Hopefully Tsunami will provide us all the pre-game reports as is his custom.
There isn't anything up yet at the WUSA site, but I found the following (and much more) as part of this week's upcoming match info at www.europeanwomenssoccer.com *** Saturday, May 3, 2003 - San Diego Spirit at Boston Breakers - 6:30 p.m. (ET) - No TV; Season Series: Boston leads 1-0-0; All-time History: San Diego leads 4-2-1) The San Diego Spirit moved above the .500 mark for the first time in team history with a 2-1 victory over San Jose on Sunday, April 27. Boston has won two straight matches after downing the Philadelphia Charge 3-1 on Saturday, April 26. The last meeting between these two teams resulted in a 2-1 victory for Boston on April 5, 2003. Forwards Dagny Mellgren and Maren Meinert each tallied a goal in that match to lead Boston to its first victory of the 2003 season. Key Players to Watch: San Diego forward Julie Fleeting (2g, 4 pts., tied for 7th among WUSA scoring leaders) notched the game-tying goal in the Spirit's 2-1 victory over in-state rival San Jose on April 27. The Scottish international has scored a goal in two straight games for the Spirit. Forward Shannon MacMillan (1g, 2a, 4 pts., tied for 7th among WUSA scoring leaders) registered her second assist of the 2003 season on Fleeting's goal versus San Jose. MacMillan has tallied two goals and four assists during her career versus Boston (six matches). Goalkeeper Jaime Pagliarulo (2-1-0, 1.00 GAA) recorded her second consecutive victory with the 2-1 win over San Jose. "Pags" holds a 2-1-1 record with a 2.20 goals against average life-time versus Boston (six matches). Boston's Meinert (4g, 8 pts., tied for 2nd among WUSA scoring leaders) registered two goals in Boston's 3-1 victory over Philadelphia on April 26. In six match versus the Spirit, Meinert has tallied three goals and four assists for 10 points during her WUSA career. Breakers forward Mellgren (2g, 2a, 6 pts., tied for 4th among WUSA scoring leaders) tied a career high in assists with two versus Philadelphia. The Norwegian international recorded a goal earlier this season versus San Diego. Midfielder Devvyn Hawkins (1g, 1a, 3 pts., tied for 14th among WUSA scoring leaders) has notched a goal and an assist in her last two starts. Hawkins registered her first career WUSA goal versus Philadelphia on April 26. Key Matchup: (San Diego defender Joy Fawcett versus Boston forward Maren Meinert) Meinert has had more success than any other Boston player (3 goals, 4 assists, 10 points) versus the Spirit. The German international has already recorded a goal versus San Diego this season. Fawcett missed the first meeting between these two teams due to ankle surgery. The "Inside Scoop": Boston has won the last two meetings with San Diego, including a 2-1 opening day victory. The Spirit has outshot the Breakers 17-13 in seven previous meetings. Boston is riding a 12-game home unbeaten streak (WUSA record - dating back to August 12, 2001). San Diego is over .500 for the first time in team history. This match will be part of a WUSA/MLS doubleheader at Gillette Stadium. They Said it: "They (Boston) are a quality side and look like they have turned the corner. It will be a tough challenge. However, we will have a full and rested lineup." - San Diego Head Coach Omid Namazi on Boston. Referee: Sandra Hunt. Assistant Referees: Claudiu Badea, Sarah Kraus. 4th Official: Bahij A. Salman.
Thoughts... It's obvious that our opener against Boston was not a true showing of our abilities...I think if we move the ball like we did this weekend (and now all the players legs will be completely refreshed - add those patterned runs we saw, the predetermined placement, etc.), we should have a good matchup. One thing that needs to happen more often, is for the backline to switch the ball from side to side...and then have them and the middies hit mac up on the flank...she was wide open with a chance to fully penetrate about a half dozen times or more against SJ and went overlooked. I won't even discuss our first match with Boston, as that wasn't our team (figuratively) as stated above. Not much else to point out...lets just hit the pitch and see what happens..
San Diego Gets Second Shot at Boston - Both Teams Are Confident. http://cybersoccernews.com/wusa/sandiego/030501sds-bosadv.shtml
Hey, isn't anyone else excited about our tie? I know a win would have been nicer - much nicer - but I'm not turning up my nose at a tie--in their ballpark. Considering how well Boston has been playing, this tie looks pretty good.
Yeah, and our win against the C-Rays last week also looks pretty good, considering that they were able to shut out the high scoring Beat. Too bad Mac's shot in the 88th minute hit the cross bar! Has anyone heard why Jenni started instead of Pags?
KK would have had it. I asked that at the post-game press conference. Basically, Namazi felt that Branam had been looking good and deserved a start at some point. He was really interested in utilizing her kicking game. I'd have to say that it worked well. Her punts were landing 15-20 yds. beyond midfield. Even goal kicks and free kicks went past mid. She boomed 'em. She wasn't half-bad in goal, either. (Sorry, my Breaker blue is showing.)
result I'm totally happy about our tie today! Now we're tied for 3rd...isn't that like the highest SD has ever been?! Now all we gotta do is beat Atlanta next week.
Accounts of the game From the Spirit website: http://www.sandiegospirit.com/357889.html From the WUSA site: http://www.wusa.com/press_room/357903.html And the Union-Tribune: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/uniontrib/sun/sports/news_1s4spirit.html
Thanks for the info, knowing that the other team's keeper had a good game (just like Beene did the game before) makes the Spirit's effort look better also! It's difficult not getting to see the games that we can't see out here - it makes me feel that much worse for those (like the C-Ray fans) who do not get any local broadcasts at all. That Match Track feature at the WUSA site doesn't tell you enough, and doesn't tell soon enough what it does tell!
YEA JENNI!!! See I told you guys this would happen! Was this game on tv there? if so any chance I can get a copy? I'll pay for shipping and video, if you want me too.
No games are televised for the Breakers this season, though JC is reportedly trying to complete a deal with Comcast to televise some of the remaining games. It's a shame. The 2 CMGI/Gillette games have been magnificently played by all 3 teams (Boston, Washington, and SD). Both ending in ties 0-0; 1-1. Will next year bring us a 2-2 result?
I usually hate comparisons between the men's and women's game, but I'll take this one. From the Breakers forum:
Great result for the Spirit, especially considering we were down a goal in the 4th minute. It seems like we finally have a competitive team, one capable of challenging for a playoff spot and beyond. Nice to see the team start jelling. Very surprising re the decision on Pags. I guess competition at any position is a good thing though.
I missed this article at CSN, probably because it was originally in the Boston section (obvious from the slant the reporter puts on play ) http://www.cybersoccernews.com/wusa/boston/030504bos-sds.shtml *** A note - it was fortunate for the Spirit that they played away from San Diego, as the rain here undoubtedly would have affected attendance more than it would have any where else.
The Spirit web site has an article entitled "Pair of Julies Lead Spirit Attack" http://sandiegospirit.com/press_room/spotlight_on/357953.html
I don't think you guys realize what a great deal you got when you got Jenni in the second round! I watched her play for four years. She's great! There is not a more aggresive goalie in the women's game. And it's not just aggressiveness for the sake of aggressiveness. She controls her box like no one I've seen. She generally reads and directs the defense well. And you've seen her foot! The only down side to her is that she's so aggressive that she gets hurt a lot, but when she's healthy, she's awesome! I predict she will be your regular starting goalie before the end of the season and an all star in 2-3 years.