Game against the Ducks

Garrett has certainly earned our trust. But that doesn't make it any less fun to speculate.

This is just a general comment... I think one of the things that really hurt the Pilots last year when Michelle, Elli, and Keelin left the team was an overall lack of speed. Now that's not to say that we don't have great athletes (we do!), but without Elli and Michelle out there we lost our two players that had game-changing speed.

So putting those players in the right spots where we can take best advantage of their speed makes a lot of sense, since we don't really have any other burners on the team especially now that we lost Megan Rapinoe, who also had good speed.

And the way UP uses it's outside defensive backs and wing players, those are the positions that can really stretch the other teams defense, especially with the overlapping runs coming from the backs.

Good points, Stonehouse. Random poll:

Who will our best set piece kicker be?

Sophie

Kendall

Michelle O or Sophie for free kicks
Jessica for corners
Danielle and Sophie for PKs

Jessica

I agree. Sophie is the best set piece kicker...especially anywhere near the box. She's taken most of them during the Spring games...and always seems to be paired with Michelle E as her navigator/decoy. Looks like Jessica will be the designated corner kicker.

GO PILOTS!!!

Jessica

In the discussion about where Enyeart should play, one thing no one has discussed that I can remember is what would be best for her development as a player. That may have something to do with Garrett's putting her at midfield.

Interesting thought, Geezer. Is Kendall known for her set pieces?

And didn't Michelle E play in midfield for the U20 national team?

While UP plays 4-4-2 it's a version that has one center mid playing deep and in front of the defense; and one playing up behind the 2 strikers; with 2 out wide.

If you want to be picky you could also say it's 4-1-2-1-2.

Add to that their game uses the two outside defenders coming forward to add width and numbers.

And it has sometimes has elements of the 4-3-3 on offense because the far side wide mid often ends up going forward at the far post when the play is developed wide on the opposite side.

It's the fluidity of the 4-4-2 the way UP plays it that I like so much. It's well suited to their passing and possession game.

Harry Redknapp wrote:And didn't Michelle E play in midfield for the U20 national team?

She played midfield out wide in the games I saw her. She's also played that position For UP.

I believe she was playing there when she scored "the Goal" against San Diego. But maybe she was a forward then.

You judge:

harryb wrote:Interesting thought, Geezer. Is Kendall known for her set pieces?

I was wondering if anyone would notice the reference..

Kendall is known as someone who can deliver a ball off a set play. I'm not saying she'll be the person, but I'm not discounting the possibility, either.
he fact is, we are trying to judge next year's team on this Spring's performances, and we know that doesn't always work out.

Every year, two or three freshmen work themselves into key positions on the team. I'm just saying - why not Kendall? There's a video of her scoring off a free kick here:
http://videos.oregonlive.com/oregonlive/2008/11/lincoln_beats_tualatin_40_for.html
Looks like a pretty nice top shelf job to me...

We get a piece with Coach Scifo to boot.


Why not Cloee, for that matter, or one of the other incoming players. (Cloee has the distinction of scoring off a long throw-in during World Cup play. If she can do that, she can do anything....)

The formation of the U20 team was a 4-3-3 but with the 3 mids in a V formation, the 2 front mid players positioned in tight. No outside mids. This is why Elli was originally moved to the back because her range allowed her to move the ball quickly forward. Michelle E. played in the front 3 that was always rotating 2 players from the center position to the left outside position. Nicki Washington played the right outside position but she didn't rotate to center. The outside forward players had to drop way back sometimes behind the mid line so I think this allowed them some rest at the center position. Michelle, Sidney, and Alex were all dangerous so no matter which 2 were playing in the front with Nicki there was potential for scoring. It's an interesting formation played that way. It resembles a 4-5-1 sometimes when the outside players are ranging back. It allowed them to really control the midfield but still be dangerous up front.

Purplegeezer wrote:

harryb wrote:Interesting thought, Geezer. Is Kendall known for her set pieces?

I was wondering if anyone would notice the reference..

Kendall is known as someone who can deliver a ball off a set play. I'm not saying she'll be the person, but I'm not discounting the possibility, either.
he fact is, we are trying to judge next year's team on this Spring's performances, and we know that doesn't always work out.

Every year, two or three freshmen work themselves into key positions on the team. I'm just saying - why not Kendall? There's a video of her scoring off a free kick here:
http://videos.oregonlive.com/oregonlive/2008/11/lincoln_beats_tualatin_40_for.html
Looks like a pretty nice top shelf job to me...

We get a piece with Coach Scifo to boot.


Why not Cloee, for that matter, or one of the other incoming players. (Cloee has the distinction of scoring off a long throw-in during World Cup play. If she can do that, she can do anything....)

I was just reading through the posts and as soon as someone mentioned Kendall I remember that video being posted up here last fall. It's definitely nice having more than one expert at set pieces, it lends to deception and can throw a GK for fits (especially if one player is more skilled at one foot or whatever.) Haha having a freshman take set pieces is probably unlikely, but I'm sure it's something we will see in the years down the road...

This weekend may be a chance to see some of the new Freshman play. FC Portland U18 team including Johnson, Brooke, and Priest play in the Oregon State Cup Semi-final at noon Sunday at Tualitin Hills Rec Center fields.

harryb wrote:
Interesting thought, Geezer. Is Kendall known for her set pieces?

Yes. I also remember her perfect upper-corner game-winner free kick in the 2007 semifinal against Lake Oswego. As she got set to kick, a Lincoln kid near me said, "They're about to get Kendalled."

What will make things even more interesting is with Kendall being a lefty if I remember correctly, you can add to the deception.

Surprised no mentions of Elli yet... she can definitely crack it.

I'm sure Sophie will take most of them, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Elli lined up with Sophie to take kicks and for her to have at a few.