Today, July 30, is Hope Solo's 27th birthday! I know that the age will not affect her in the Olympics. Happy Birthday Hope and good luck in the goal!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
We aren't OLD!!
So I was reading some articles and I came across one that said the average age of the USA WNT players is 25.
First Training Session
The USA WNT had their first training session in Qinhuangdao yesterday. The players will practice again this morining and then get the afternoon off.
Who is going to score?
To some it might seem impossible to score without Abby Wambach but, the USA will definitely be able to score goals. I think that the USA's main target up top will be Natasha Kai. Some people have said that Amy Rodriguez is a better soccer player than Kai, but Tash is the one finishing. I also think they will look to Tarpley, as she is also a good finisher.
I think that the play-makers for the team will be Carli Lloyd and Heather O'Reilly. Carli Lloyd is very good at controlling the middle and sending good through-balls up to the forwards. Heather O'Reilly is also very good at playing balls into the middle to oncoming forwards. I also think Amy Rodriguez will set up a few goals herself. But, hopefully everyone will contribute to the goals.
Amy Rodriguez is new on the team, but she already has 5 goalsMonday, July 28, 2008
How to win without Wambach
Brenda asked some good questions today. What will the USA do without Abby? What formation will they use and what sort of strategies should they look to use? This brings me to the...................
Question of the day: How will the USA win without their top scorer, Abby Wambach?
-My answer is POSSESSION. If anyone watched the World Cup last year the USA relied on sending balls forward to Abby and letting her score. She was their main target and was really their only option in the offense. Pia Sundhage, the new head coach, has brought a new idea to this team, which has allowed many more players the opportunity to score. I think the only way for the USA to score goals with out Abby is to hold the ball and be patient. They have to take their time and wait for the right time to send the ball forward. We know that these forwards can score. Natasha Kai has 11 goals this year and Amy Rodriguez (also known as A-Rod in the soccer world) has 5. They must be patient with the ball and also use their flanks. Heather O'Reilly is very speedy on the right side and Lindsay Tarpley is also very good on the left. She has 10 goals this year. In order for the USA to not only win, but get gold, they need to be patient and wait for their chances.
I also think that they will play a 4-4-2. I'm guessing that the starting line-up for their first game will look like this:
Natasha Kai Amy Rodriguez (forwards)
Lindsay Tarpley Carli Lloyd Shannon Boxx Heather O'Reilly (midfielders)
Lori Chalupny Christie Rampone Kate Markgraf Heather Mitts (defenders)
Hope Solo (goalkeeper)
It will also be interesting to see if Pia will put Heather or Lindsay up top, who both played forward during the World Cup last year. Heather had 2 goals in the 07 World Cup.
It will be hard for the USA to score in the air without Abby, as we know she is a huge target for them on corner kicks and free kicks. They are going to need to be careful when they defend free kicks and make sure to mark up tightly. The scores will definitely not be as high as they have been, but the US will score goals.This is also a chance for some new players to step up and show that they can play without Abby by their side.
I think that the defense will do fine. They are going to have to stay strong and keep the ball when they win it, instead of kicking it up field. All the players are going to need to play to feet unless they are giving a cross. Kate Markgraf and Christie Rampone, the veterans on the team, (christie is also the captain), or going to have to be leaders on the field. They are going to have to play strong and be examples for the younger players.
If any of you guys have ideas of how the USA will play w/out her please tell me!!
Question of the day: How will the USA win without their top scorer, Abby Wambach?
-My answer is POSSESSION. If anyone watched the World Cup last year the USA relied on sending balls forward to Abby and letting her score. She was their main target and was really their only option in the offense. Pia Sundhage, the new head coach, has brought a new idea to this team, which has allowed many more players the opportunity to score. I think the only way for the USA to score goals with out Abby is to hold the ball and be patient. They have to take their time and wait for the right time to send the ball forward. We know that these forwards can score. Natasha Kai has 11 goals this year and Amy Rodriguez (also known as A-Rod in the soccer world) has 5. They must be patient with the ball and also use their flanks. Heather O'Reilly is very speedy on the right side and Lindsay Tarpley is also very good on the left. She has 10 goals this year. In order for the USA to not only win, but get gold, they need to be patient and wait for their chances.
I also think that they will play a 4-4-2. I'm guessing that the starting line-up for their first game will look like this:
Natasha Kai Amy Rodriguez (forwards)
Lindsay Tarpley Carli Lloyd Shannon Boxx Heather O'Reilly (midfielders)
Lori Chalupny Christie Rampone Kate Markgraf Heather Mitts (defenders)
Hope Solo (goalkeeper)
It will also be interesting to see if Pia will put Heather or Lindsay up top, who both played forward during the World Cup last year. Heather had 2 goals in the 07 World Cup.
It will be hard for the USA to score in the air without Abby, as we know she is a huge target for them on corner kicks and free kicks. They are going to need to be careful when they defend free kicks and make sure to mark up tightly. The scores will definitely not be as high as they have been, but the US will score goals.This is also a chance for some new players to step up and show that they can play without Abby by their side.
I think that the defense will do fine. They are going to have to stay strong and keep the ball when they win it, instead of kicking it up field. All the players are going to need to play to feet unless they are giving a cross. Kate Markgraf and Christie Rampone, the veterans on the team, (christie is also the captain), or going to have to be leaders on the field. They are going to have to play strong and be examples for the younger players.
If any of you guys have ideas of how the USA will play w/out her please tell me!!
How to get to the Olympics.....without paying money
Of course, I really wanted to go to the Olympics this year. But, no surprise, it is EXPENSIVE. And, I have no job.....so I really can't go on my own. Brenda (who is kind of obsessed with the team) and I were talking about ways we could get there without paying for an expensive ticket. Here is the list: "how am I going to get to China?"
-Swim: no way. I can barely swim 400 meters. I would die before I get to China.
-Kayack: Well, this is better then swimming, except..again, my arms would fall off.
-Hijack a boat: hmm...maybe. But, how do I hijack something? I'm not good at that stuff.
-hide in someones suitcase: yes, I could do that. But how is someone that is 5'9 supposed to fit in a suitcase?
-Fundraiser: this might be my best option. any donations? :)
-Ride in a hot air ballon: maybe, but...what if I run out of gas?
-Float: I could actually do that. I mean, it wouldnt be that tiring, and it wouldn't take that much effort!!
Well, if any of you think of anything else, tell me. I'm desperate.
-Swim: no way. I can barely swim 400 meters. I would die before I get to China.
-Kayack: Well, this is better then swimming, except..again, my arms would fall off.
-Hijack a boat: hmm...maybe. But, how do I hijack something? I'm not good at that stuff.
-hide in someones suitcase: yes, I could do that. But how is someone that is 5'9 supposed to fit in a suitcase?
-Fundraiser: this might be my best option. any donations? :)
-Ride in a hot air ballon: maybe, but...what if I run out of gas?
-Float: I could actually do that. I mean, it wouldnt be that tiring, and it wouldn't take that much effort!!
Well, if any of you think of anything else, tell me. I'm desperate.
Kristine Lilly has her baby!
Former USA WNT player Kristine Lilly had her first baby on July 22, which happens to be her birthday! She had a baby girl named Sidney Marie. Kristine has been on the USA team since the very beginning, which was 1987. She has been in 5 World Cups and 3 Olympics. She is also the most capped player, men and women, EVER. She has 340 caps!! Wow! Congrats Kristine!
Olympic Time..
The USA WNT arrived in Beijing, China a few days ago to prepare for their first match against Norway on Aug. 6. They spent about 3 days in Beijing sightseeing and squeezing in some training sessions here and there.
The team after arriving in Beijing
The team left for Qinhuangdao today where their first two matches will be held. The USA is in group G along with Norway, Japan, and New Zealand. They play Norway on August 6, Japan on August 9, and then New Zealand on August 12. The two top teams will go on the the quarterfinals.
Hopefully the US will go all the way and win gold even without their top goalscorer, Abby Wambach. Abby broke her leg about 10 days ago playing against Brazil in their last game before heading to China. If you go to youtube and search "Abby Wambach breaks her leg," you will be able to see the video of her breaking it.
I hope that these games will be on TV here and if they are, I will post up the schedule. GO USA!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
First Post!
Ok..so, this is my first ever post on this blog. Actually, this is my first ever blog. Pretty exciting....I know. Anyways, the reason I created this blog is well..because I am obsessed with the USA Women's National Soccer team. I mean, no one, and I mean NO ONE, is as obsessed as me. My room is covered in pictures, I go to their website every day, and I even save games that I have watched over and over again, just so I can see them play. I know, it's kind of scary. Another reason I created this blog is because no one else shares this same obsession as I do. I have no one to tell my stories or exciting news too. I wanted a place where I could let out all my stories and things I have to say. Now, if you start reading this blog..beware. You might become as obsessed with me. And believe me, there is no cure. So, for those that care to read this, I hope you enjoy it, and enjoy this team, just as much as I do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)