Tiffany Roberts is the only Courage player called into the 26 player camp leading up to the USA/Japan game. Additionally, Cat Reddick and Lindsay Tarpley were called in from UNC. Curious that more local college players got called in than players from the defending champion professional women's club team. Curious, indeed. (Yes, I am aware that our two best players are not American, but last time I checked soccer was played with eleven on the field).
Hmm...must be a conspiracy against the Courage. I'm sure Slaton would be there if she were healthy. Not sure why Fotopoulos didn't get an invite--though there is a lot of talent in her position. Who else do you think deserves it?
Only One Courage Player Named to USWNT Roster I'm happy for TR that she made the training roster, but disappointed that no other Courage players were included. The first thing that I noticed when I saw the complete roster was the large number of former & current UNC players and the corresponding lack of Courage players. Who else thinks that Nel Fettig has earned a shot with the National Team? All Nel has done is win on every team she has ever played for.
To be perfectly honest, though. I really don't know who else I would have called in. Three of our best players are foreigners. Slaton is recovering. Fotop. Well Fotop has been given plenty of chances, and I really don't see her having much more of an international career. She is a known quantity. She definitely has the talent, but she's rarely shown the meanness of a Parlow, Prinz, or Wambach that the international level demands. Which works out great for us - especially if she's playing for the Courage all season, instead of missing time for US games. Fetig would be an interesting choice, but I suspect age is against her. If she were already an regular cast member (like T-Rob) then I might see her getting called in. Luckinbill would be the most likely candidate, but it's really hard to look at a lot of goalkeepers. Only one gets to play, and it really takes a few games to get a feel. There's not enough games for Heinrichs to be experimenting at that position. Tim Howard ran out of time in his chance to get to WC2002. I just don't see Lucks getting the call, despite her GKoY award. Most of the rest of the players on the team are very good role players. Which is what you need to win. It just happens that our "stars" are foreigners.
Status of Fotop? I'm concerned about the status of Danielle Fotopoulos and wonder if one of the reasons why she "didn't get an invite" was because she is still recovering from her foot injury? I agree that there is a lot of talent at forward, but if Fotop were 100% healthy she at least deserves some strong consideration for making the training roster.
Nel & "Lucks" I think you are probably right about Fettig, but I still think it is really unfortunate that Nel isn't getting a well deserved chance at making the National Team. I also agree with you that Luckenbill "would be the most likely candidate, " but instead four goalkeepers that finished behind "Lucks" in the voting for WUSA Goalkeeper of the Year have all been named to the training roster. The second best goalkeeper in the WUSA during the 2002, Melissa Moore was also left out as was interestingly enough Hope Solo. Sadly it does look like the window of opportunity for "Lucks" to see any action with the USWNT is probably closed for her after this.