Regarding Megan Rapinoe

I agree with Stonehouse in the "Yale Today" topic that when Megan, Stephanie and Sophie get back we are going to be a better offensive team. They should change the entire dynamic of the team with their leadership and superior skiils, and the rest of the team should follow their lead. I expected uneven play at the start of the season, and thought it would give the freshman and other players a great opportunity to get real playing experience that would be important down the road this year as well as in the future. The freshman have definitely impressed. (Of course, I didn't know we would lose Rachel. Huge loss offensively.)

My concern is with Megan's knee. I know she tweaked it in practice last week because I saw it happen myself. This probably explains her not playing last week-end, while she did play increasing minutes the week-end before. I know Garrett Smith said he could have played Megan if we really needed her last week-end. All due respect to Coach Smith, but until we scored with less than ten minutes to play in regulation, I kind of thought we did need her against Yale. You think winning now isn't important? Tell that to the NCAA selection committee at the end of the season. Sure, we can win road playoff games, but wouldn't you rather see them played in front of a packed, madhouse Merlo Field? Think we stand a better chance of winning at home in the playoffs, or on the road? Remember our season-ending loss at UCLA last season? Would we have won at home? Perhaps not. But I sure would have liked our chances better. We need to focus on every game in the regular season, conference and non-conference, elite opponent or cupcake, and try like heck to win Every Single Game.

My concern with Megan is that we may see problems with her knee all season. (I certainly hope that is NOT the case). I am not a pessimistic person; actually quite the opposite. I'm usually accused of being overly optimistic. However, a Rapinoe family member mentioned that everyone keeps trying to slow Megan down. Apparently she gets impatient, (I think I probably would too), goes out and plays the only way Megan knows how to play: that is all knobs to the right.

I sure hope she gets to the point this season where she can again play in games with her patented attacking, take no prisoners, style. More than ever, with Rachel out for the season, we need Megan in the middle of our offense; just as we needed Christine in the middle of our offense when we won national titles in 2002 and 2005. Megan, in my opinion, is that kind of difference maker at the collegiate level.

yeah, we need Megan, but that need should be trumped by what best for her to heal properly. She played less than half a game against Purdue, and apparently, that was too Much. It is the responsibility of the coaches to hold her back if she's not ready. Kids often don't see the long term picture.

What really matters for the program this year is that we be ready for the tournament. The reality is that we will be in the tournament , whether Megan is here during the season or not.

Once the tournament starts, it's a whole new ballgame and that's when we need to be ready.

Beyond that, I don't think it is proper to ask a young player to play hurt. If she's not ready this year, well, fine. She still has another year to achieve her goals, and the goals of the team.

I want the team to do well, but I don't want that to be at the expense of any player's health.

The rest of the team will just have to figure out how to get it done- it's still possible. There is lots of talent on this team.

I tend to ramble, Geezer, and I am sure parts of my posts are at times not clear and/or my intent not entirely understood.

I totally agree with all parts of your post. I would NEVER want an injured player to be asked to play hurt. That would be the opposite of everything I stand for. What I meant is that, based on what I have heard, apparently Megan has been pushing the envelope for some time now. (Well before fall camp ever started). It's human nature to want to get back to business as soon as you are feeling better. I remember countless times I've tried to come back from illness or surgery and ended up back in bed.

I too believe she should stay out until she's really ready. I agree we are very talented and the games that really matter are in the tournament. However, I am simply not convinced that the 2007 Pilots can win the N.C. without Megan unless Michelle Enyeart or another explosive player takes the lead and dominates offensively when it counts.

I hope Megan can return healthy this season. If not, I hope I am proven wrong and we can ring up #3 in December without her.