i think we need more than anything someone with speed to attack on offense. esepcially if sunwen is gone next year. liping was ineffective (i still say she has a lot of talent but seemed very afraid to pull the trigger all season long). burt is quick, and was a great asset with hooper up top when cp was ineffective. i think if we had someone that speedy along with a little size, we'd be a lot more dangerous up front. something that bout pinchon and prinz are. there were games where sawa and serlenga were our biggest attackers and that shouldn't be happening. i think our defense is fine except for moments where they lack clarity and get beat (nonen). there is also carlessness when clearing the ball. at times it was rushed causing opponets to get scoring oppurtunities (the 8 corners in 3 mins by san jose comes to mind). we don't need goalies. scurry and wilson are outstanding and we will be fine until scurry leaves us. our midfield was outstanding this year with saw and serlenga. i see serlenga not attacking or leading the attack as much as i'd like. she's kept more as more of a defensive midfielder it seems for whatever reason and i'd like to see her control the attack more and venture into the attacking third. she showed what she can do this year (that shot versus philly in the last reg season game was a blast!).
We need someone who can finish their chances. We had so many missed opportunities this season of goals that should have been scored. I still believe that if Stone played Sun more forward instead of a more midfield role, Sun could be that player. If Sun doesn't come back next year, it makes it even more imperative to get a pure goal scorer. I am very disappointed in the way Stone has used Sun these past two seasons and I feel she has not been able to rise to her true brilliance in Atlanta.
I agree Joe, we need a big, fast forward. I think our offense is predictable... we need someone that can mix it up!! Defensively, I think we are fine. I think Nonen is fast enough to shut down any attack... I just think she loses her concentration at times. I definitely believe we have the fastest back line in the league - Nonen, Lisa K, the twins. A solid defender that could be a back up in case of fatigue or injury would be a good idea. I liked Cromwell in that back-up role. Another play maker in the mid would be nice. Bivens, Sawa and Serlenga need to stay there and add another play maker like Wagner and we'd be in mid-field heaven!!
i liked sunwen as a midfielder, i think she played well at it this season (especially after you left and she was more healthy). her playmaking was wonderful and there were a lot of incredible moves/passes she showed that would compliment our forwards with. i don't think she can be a true forward, it's just too phsyical up top and she's a lot more fragile now. the way hooper and cp have gotten repeatedly taken down this year just proves to that. maybe on another team, but in atlanta, i don't think sun wen can be a true forward the way she is
1. NY 2. SD 3. Boston 4. SJ 5. Atlanta Correct? Wagner and Welsh go top two. Goddamn let's not discuss them now. Enough talk in the other forums about that and it's ridiculous to think we have an outside chance of landing either one. Barring trade scenarios...what is Boston and SJ looking for? I wonder when Latham will get picked up. She's a bruiser!!! WAR Big XII on DirecTV!!!
Preseason All-American Seniors The Beat are pretty well balanced at all positions, however could improve in all areas (with the exception of GK), too. Below are the top 5 seniors to watch. It would be a stretch, without a trade up in the draft, that the Beat could get Welsh, Wagner or Latham. Although, come to think of it, NY and SD really have some DEFENSE & GK needs. Still don't think Solo goes before those three. I WOULD LOVE ANOTHER CANUCK ON THE ROSTER - Latham would be my pick, since Sinclair has a few more years at Portland.
Yes, and also NYs second or third round pick (can't remember which one) - traded draft pick in last years draft.
2002 Beat draft picks first round - Anna Kraus (traded to San Diego for second round pick in 2003 draft) second round - traded pick to NY for future draft third round - Nicky Thrasher (Beat reserve forward) fouth round - Kristen DePlatchett (Beat reserve GK) So, I think we will have 4 picks in the first two rounds (5th, 9th, 10th, and 13th - assuming the draft order stays the same from last year). I don't know how deep the talent pool will be for 2003, but it seems we might be able to put together some sort of trade package (pick(s) for player(s), or player and pick(s) for player/top 2 pick. Could be interesting to see what Stone and Rockwell have in mind. Especially since they don't have any venue issues this off-season, they can concentrate on TEAM needs.
We need the best forward we can get in the draft followed by the next best forward we can get. Or if Solo is still available, we can use her as trade bait for a top forward. We need scoring to take the pressure off our defense.
I tend to disagree a bit about the need for a forward but it would be nice to get a top forward but I doubt if one will be available at the time the Beat draft and I doubt that it will solve the scoring problems. Sawa is GREAT bu she needs the help of another speedy, creative passer. The Beat;s attack was VERY predictable and that is what hurt the scoring and the problems began with the lack of creative passes out of the midfield and out of the defense. Everyone knows that I believe that there is a player in the W-League that can solve a lot of the midfield/forward problems and, if the beat can get her, they should look elsewhere for improvement in the draft. While the defense is very good they lack the player that is both strong enough and makes the correct decisions to play a traditional stopper type roll. The current crop of central defenders foul too often too close to the box for the comfort of the team and only the ineptitude of the free kick takers on the other teams and Scurry's great play have kept the free kick goals as low as they have been. A true stopper that does not foul too often would free Nonen and Nancy A. to act as covering defenders more, a roll that they are among the best in the league at although they play that roll VERY different. It also would make Nancy’s ventures forward safer and therefore more productive. I know that the "other" defenders that the Beat have are personal favorites of many but the fact is they could be better and on a pro team fan likes and dislikes should not play much of a roll in the selection of players. I say that the Beat should go after Erin O'Grady VERY strongly and use their draft picks to try to find a true stopper for the defense.
I don't know if I would go anywhere near Susan Bush. The rigors of the league would probably do her in. Her knees are probably very vulnerable now. Damn I remember when she came out of TX everyone and their dog was saying she was going to be the next big thing.