Florida Game

Auto Pilot wrote:
Give me a shutout and few shots on goal and I will show you a keeper that is doing his/her job. I remember a keeper trainer telling me one day that the best save is the shot that never happens.

"The best save is the shot that never happens." What a great quote, Auto. I believe the Pilots have a motto this season that goes, "No Shots, No Goals."

I recall every Pilots team I can remember having the coach saying, "We want shutouts." That was always the goal every game. However, (someone will correct me if I'm wrong), I believe for the first time this year Garrett has raised the stakes for the defense by declaring that we want NO SHOTS.

I have heard other players say that this season, so I bet Coach has incorporated the new motto into his pre-game speech. Smart move, on Garrett's part. Having a "No Shots" philosophy embedded in the team psyche, should help keep the team as a whole sharp and aware at all times of where opposing players are on the field..

In the end this was a comfortable win for the Pilots but it was not so clear cut for a while in the second half.

There's been plenty of discussion on this site about Elli Reed and her best position, comparisons with Stephanie Lopez .. yada yada yada. Garrett resolved the conundrum and rewarded Elli for her consecutive national team of the week recognitions by ... leaving her on the bench!

Kelsey was in goal: and made one game saving stop when it was 1-0 UP in the second half.

Defense was Tsao, Olivier, McCluskie, Sweeney. Tsao had another solid game. Olivier was back in the heart of the defense and surprised me by looking more shaky than in any game than I remember. Her touch was not as reliable: not a bad game but below the standard of earlier performances. McCluskie had a good game. She gives no quarter and seems to be growing with more confidence. Korie N was in tennis shoes. I've seen some folks comments that Megan Sweeney was the pick of the back four. I'm sorry but I did not see it that way. She had some good moments going forward but I thought that she was consistently the most vulnerable. She can get exposed for speed and most of the opposition threats come down that channel on the field. She was unfortunate to get hurt in the second half. Elli R moved back to that position when Megan S went off, having come on to play midfield after about 30 minutes of the first half.

Keelin was back in her spot and had another strong game. Charney bubbled away on the right. Michelle E started at left mid and moved forward in place of Sophie S after about 30 mins. Megan R was on the point. Megan tackles like a maniac, and covers alot of ground. Her shot is back in the groove which is bad news for any GK. The one piece of her game that still is missing is some of her passing: she gives the ball away in relatively unpressured situations. Right now she is playing well: when the passing is there she will be very good. Having said that she laid off a delicate sweet pass to DF for the second goal.

Danielle took her goals with calm almost ruthless efficiency. Sophie played quietly but effectively.

Florida was clearly the best team we've seen since the LA/SC games. Some pace and strength. Gave UP a torrid spell in the middle of the second half when our defense looked very dodgy for a spell.

First goal was a great run across the box by Michelle E and a clinical finish by DF. Second goal was a surge into the box by Megan R and a sweet little pass into DF who again finished cleanly.

I think Elli not starting had more to do with her going off to National Team camp all this week. If Kendra wasn't hurt, I think Michelle would have rested more, too.

They will both have a pretty competitive week. Then they will fly to meet the team late Saturday night (10:00 or 11:00 PM Eastern) for the Sunday Game. I don't know how much they'll get used for that game, as they won't even get a good night's sleep, but intentionally working them hard at the front end would make no sense at all. I'll bet that if he thought he could have, he would have sat them both for the whole game, or give them very limited minutes. I also think it's about time to start giving the players that will be in the tournament more time against quality opponents.

Garrett's always been very conservative about that stuff.

Michelle said in her KPTV interview that they have been preparing for the U20's leaving at playoff time all season. She said last week-end's game, and I'm sure the previous games four games, they have been experimenting with playing different combinations in different places and trying to find the right fit and chemistry. (I'm paraphrasing.)

I don't know if she was just trying to say the right thing or what. But she seemed to imply the Pilots would be just fine without the U-20's, and ready to make a a major run at the Big One.

I do know one thing though: By all accounts Megan is almost back to being Megan, and being more aggressive than ever. She will take over in the playoffs, I am certain, and lead this team with ferocity.

I agree with you Geezer, it would be nice if everyone was battle tested against quality opponents before the playoffs. There is still time though and Garrett has proven over the years to have his teams ready to go when playoff time rolls around. I expect this year to be no exception.