A quick hats off (or on, in the above pic) to the three players on the Olympic Team who still have college eligibility remaining. It's tough coming into your first world championship at the senior level with all the pressure and expectations of each game, but the USA's New Kids have certainly contributed to the team's success so far. Tobin Heath has come off the bench to add a spark in three of the four games while Amy Rodriguez has earned a starting role and terrorized defenses with her speed, work rate and bulldog strength. Then against Canada in the quarterfinal, Lauren Cheney -- who was added to the team after Abby Wambach's injury -- got her first minutes of the Olympics, coming off the bench at the end of overtime and to do some great work on the defensive end in addition to holding the ball to help salt away the clock, and she even almost scored twice. There is still much work to do at the Olympics, as well as in their young international careers, but bravo for their positive contribution so far.
The whole team has stepped up in Wambach's absence. I love watching Rodriguez play. All she does is play smart and hustle. Can't ask for much more, as that is the key.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the next match!
Rodriguez has earned her place in the starting 11 and has been playing great. Kai has been a bolt of energy and an instant defense-changing menace when she has entered in the 2nd half. I probably don't need to say it, but let's hope that this winning formula stays the same in the next two games...Can we do it? We can do it! Beat Japan!
ReplyDeletei'm hoping to see more minutes allowed these three, and, down the road, look forward to seeing Averbuch, Noguiera, and Klingenburg added to the WNT roster!
ReplyDeleteJudy
CH, NC