USA - NGA 25.09.2003 14 PHILADELPHIA Group A Referee ROMANO Florencia (ARG) Assistant Referee 1 LOIS Sabrina (ARG) Assistant Referee 2 CERCATO Alejandra (ARG) Fourth Official DENONCOURT Sonia (CAN) http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/t/ref/187002.html been a ref since Jan 1, 2002... very little INTERNATIONAL experience
It's probably save to assume that's how long she's had her FIFA badge, rather than how long she's been a referee.
true... not many internationals though.. I do wonder what sort matches she refs regularly... USA and Nigeria are big, fast, and athletic... hope she can keep up with the speed of the game, and the possible physical nature... I suspect some wierd looks will go her way...
It sounds like Wagner might get the nod in this one. How will she do with the physical play? It also sounds like Slaton's knee isn't doing that great (based on the soccernet articles). There is lots of talk about the Nigerians bunkering but I really didn't think that was their style.
as I've posted elsewhere Nigeria lost two of their defenders to injury against NK... So, I suspect a couple newer defenders to be in place... Nigeria prefers to attack and play with a lot on intensity... Wagner's possession game should be critical for USA...dominate possession in midfield, should lead to ample chances in the box... I'm really curious to see Wambach's battles throughout the match...and what gets called and what doesn't get called. Millbrett should have a big night.
Does anyone know if the pitch will be in decent shape for this match or will it be the same painted cow pasture we saw in the first match played there? I was worried that the players might "step in something" and slip on that horrible pitch. It is unfortunate that the great players have had to play on such a horrid surface. If the field is not better we need to start the "expendables" so our best do not trip in the ruts.
It did not in the last games. It would be rolling and then hop and jump as soon as it crossed into the area where the human(sort of) cattle milled around (on the sides)or where they held hugging matches (in the center). Try as they want to spin the appearance of the field it is HORRIBLE and the grounds keepers and other field people and match organizers in Philly should be ashamed.
I agree that the field looks awful. I only saw the highlights of the matches played there, but I cringed at the sight of the football lines. I'm hoping that the rain from earlier in the week will have washed out the football lines for tonight's game.
I have a feeling Wagner will get the start in a 4-4-2 tonight. But I thought she didn't really do much to help us maintain possession when she was brought in against the Swedes. To be sure, the US offense had lost most of its shape by that point, and there was only so much she could do. But I definitely didn't think she had the same kind of calming influence that someone like Reyna brings to the men. I thought Millbrett looked out of her league against Sweden, so I'm not expecting a big night from her against the Nigerians. But I suppose it's a different game against a different opponent.
Aly didn't have a particularly great outing vs Sweden but when she came on, the team was in the defensive shell and that isn't her game. As for Millie, I just don't know. She's been in that slump for a long time.
Re: Re: Usa - Nga (r) Some interesting articles about Florencia Romano in Spanish... http://www.soccerage.com/es/13/21237.html http://www.lavoz.com.ar/2002/0709/Especiales/Anguloinvertido/nota183657_1.htm for those that dont read spanish.. run them through a translator like: http://worldlingo.com/products_services/worldlingo_translator.html
Lineup (from fifaworldcup.com): Briana Scurry Kylie Bivens Cate Sobrero Cat Reddick Joy Fawcett Shannon Boxx Julie Foudy Kristine Lilly Aly Wagner Cindy Parlow Mia Hamm
IF that line up is correct hell must be getting REAL cold. Earlier today I posted this in the US National team forum: ------------------Scurry--------------------- Bivens(sp)-----Fawcett------Sobrero------ Pearce (if she can play left) or Reddick -----Foudy---------Boxx----------Lilly--------- ------------------ Parlow---------------------- ------Hamm--------------------Wambach------ We have a situation here where April and I are coming up with virtually the same lineup. Except she is placing Wagner in place of Wambach and I believe she will play the distribution roll that I have Parlow in. I have no problem with that change, I just wanted even more size. I guess they will call it a 4-4-2 but a 4-4-2 with an attacking mid and a 4-3-3 with a withdrawn forward are virtually the same formation and they can play exactly the same. With the highly improbable event of April and I aggreeing the game will probably be 12-0 Nigeria; and the moon is really green cheese.
I guess this ref doesn't want the game to get out of control. She let Nigeria get away with one throw-down of Parlow. When Parlow get's sandwiched 60-seconds later, she points to the PK spot and has scowl on her face... Mia Hamm adds to her career tally, 1-0 USA
You may or may not find this interesting, but roughly two minutes after Mia Hamm convertedher penalty, Nomar Garciaparra hit a three run home run. Then roughly a minute later Mia scored again. Coincidence?
11:00 Nice cross from Bivens and Hamm heads it strong, but right at keeper... 12:00 Goal !!! Mia Hamm from a 35-yard free kick. Mia was looking to cross to Parlow, but found the net instead...
14:00 Mia find the woodwork. Jeez, its the Hamm show... 15:00 Nigeria counterattack ends with a great shot. Nigeria scores on the rebound, but is ruled offsides USA 2 - 0 Nigeria