9/9 UP vs. Purdue

When I was talking about Michaelson... I think that she wasn't really in top form last year and would sometimes make costly mistakes (the UNC game last year is a good example of that). So I'm wondering if some of that is lingering. But I've also seen her be dominant back at the back (like she was in the game against Oregon State and Jodie Taylor last week). So I don't mean to say that she's not a good player... she is. She's terrific.

If you recall (maybe you didn't know), she had pulled stomach muscles at the beginning of last year and was a bit out of shape as a result.

Not so this year. she's the fittest I've seen her. While she is by no means a speed deamon, she's faster than she has been.


Geez, I sure hope that's not true about Rachel.

Ah yes... Geezer, you're on top of things as usual!

Racheal tore her ACL? During the Purdue game? Was she ever down during the game because of the injury? At what point was she hurt? When she was Yellow carded?...Or did it happen during practice this week?

Oh Man?!!? ...I can imagine that it's a very tough thing for her to deal with...especially because its her Senior year! That's heartbreaking!!

Apparently. the Purdue coach was watching a different game than I saw. Here's what Purdue's CSTV site quoted him as saying:

Purdue scored its goal minutes after defensive back Zarinah Blockton received a red card and was ejected from the game for fighting with Portland's leading scorer Rachael Rapinoe. Blockton was thrown to the ground by Rapinoe and retaliated with a strike to the side of head.

The Boilermakers are expected to play without Blockton for Wednesday's and Friday's home matches against Valparaiso and Morehead State.

"Z was coaxed by their player into making an irrational decision," said head coach Rob Klatte. "But even in that bad situation, we have to back down and keep control."

Apparently, Ms. Blockton didn't slam into Rachel from behind every time she touched the ball. as I'm sure Mr. Klatte coached all week.
What really happened is that Rachel is just good at baiting people into irrational action. And Rachel wasn't slammed from behind twice on that particular play (with no call- the play happened near the 18 yd box and the ref was well beyond midfield, too nackered to follow the action) before she turned around and wrestled back, earning her yellow.

Or maybe Mr. Klatte just lost track of who was baiting whom. For sure, he didn't coach backing down before last week's game.

Well, the next time Ms Brockton comes up swinging, she's out for the season and her control issues will achieve resolution.

I'm not sure why he didn't just say he wanted his players to be more physical than Portland whatever the cost. At least then he wouldn't be hiding behind his players.

Go Pilots!

Phantom,

Rachel was yellow carded when the Purdue Player threw the punch (56:38 according to the box score)

she got taken down on the sideline at 64:38 and didn't return. Somebody said she was all right during the UW game that followed, but that may not be correct.

http://www.portlandpilots.com/sports/wsoccer/release.asp?release_id=4489

There's no mention of an injury to Rachael Rapinoe in the Pilots' latest release. Maybe that was just misinformation? Nasty rumor?

http://www.portlandpilots.com/sports/wsoccer/release.asp?release_id=4490

Well damn. I was hoping no news was good news.

This stinks.

Best of luck to Rachel for a safe surgery and a quick recovery... we will miss her up front.

There is one faint ray of sunshine in this.

Rachel's soccer carreer at UP isn't necessarily over. Since it happened early enough in the season, She can redshirt and play next year. Then the two sisters can finish together.

I would love to see the twins finish together as redshirt seniors. It is very early, of course, but I got the impression from the taller one that they are going to consider that.