Predictions
Here are Soccer America Associate Editor Dean Caparaz’s predictions for the May 19-20 games: Carolina 2 Washington 3 San Diego 2 New York 2
Previews
(all times ET) Saturday, May 19 – (noon) – Washington (2-1-1) at Carolina (0-4-0) (TNT). Season series: Washington leads 1-0 (1 match: 2-1, April 28);
All-time regular-season series: Washington leads 1-0 (Freedom leads on aggregate goals, 2-1).
Leading scorers: Washington: F Pretinha (3 g = 6 pts); Carolina: F Danielle Fotopoulos (2 g = 4 pts).
Did you know? U.S. Olympian Marion Jones will take part in pre-game ceremonies at Fetzer Field. The former North Carolina track & field and basketball star will appear at the TNT-televised match to help promote the Goodwill Games, which are also on TNT.
Key players out: Washington: None; Carolina: D Staci Wilson (strained hip flexor), M Nicole Roberts (fractured tibia and fibula in leg-R).
Notes: The return of Washington M Anne Makinen could disrupt whatever chemistry the Freedom has, but once the Finnish playmaker gets into the flow, Washington could become a goalscoring machine. … The Courage is still looking for its first points. In its previous match against Washington, Coach Marcia McDermott’s team played well until a late collapse. Carolina led the Freedom, 1-0, for most of the match, but M Mia Hamm set up a late equalizer and scored the game-winning goal. … Including that game, Carolina has scored first, in the first half, of three straight games before losing each time. … Carolina needs to tighten up in the back, but better finishing from F Danielle Fotopoulos and F Meredith Florance would help mitigate defensive mistakes. … Carolina M Hege Riise needs to touch the ball more than she did in the loss to Washington.
KEY MATCHUP: Washington M Mia Hamm vs. Carolina M Tiffany Roberts: If Hamm plays in central midfield again, she’ll match up with her former U.S. teammate. Roberts shut down Bay Area M Sissi in Carolina’s last match — except for when Sissi set up M Tisha Venturini for the game-winning goal. Roberts has the speed and toughness to give Hamm a difficult time in the middle.
SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Brenda Wright; Assistant Referees: Steven Taylor (SAR), Sandra Serafini (JAR). Fourth Official: Kim Oberle.
Sunday, May 20 – (7:00 pm) – New York (1-0-3) at San Diego (1-1-2) (Fox Sports Net New York, Cox Ch. 4). Season series: Tied (1 match: 0-0, April 29);
All-time regular-season series: Tied.
Leading scorers: New York: F Tiffeny Milbrett (2 g = 4 pts); San Diego: F Shannon MacMillan (2 g = 4 pts).
Did you know? Best friends Milbrett and MacMillan were college roommates at Portland.
Key players out: New York: F Ann Kristin Aarones (lower back); San Diego: M Trudi Sharpsteen (arthroscopic knee surgery, cartilage-R).
Notes: New York M Jen Lalor (sprained ankle-L) may see her first action of the season in her hometown. The U.S. World Cup ’95 veteran will help diversify the Power attack, which largely relied on long balls to its frontline in last week’s 2-2 tie with Philadelphia. Lalor will likely not start. “Maybe she has 15 to 20 minutes of match fitness,” New York coach Pat Farmer said. “She thinks, I’m sure, she has half an hour.” … San Diego D Kristin Bengtsson and G Ulrika Karlsson are back in the fold after returning from Sweden’s 3-1 friendly loss to Norway on May 13. With the roster over 17 players, the Spirit sent G Carly Smolak back down to the reserve team. … Spirit F Traci Arkenberg (ankle sprain-R) is probable. … San Diego will honor Bengtsson and F Mercy Akide before the match. Nigeria’s Akide will be honored for being named the 2000 African Female Player of the Year. Bengtsson earned her 100th cap in the Norway game. She becomes only the fourth female player in Swedish history to achieve the milestone. … Due to easement issues, no seating will be available on the West side of Torero Stadium for the 2001 season. A total of 867 seats will be lost for the remainder of the SpiritÆs home schedule, leaving the total capacity of the renovated facility at 6,155.
KEY MATCHUP: New York F Tiffeny Milbrett vs. San Diego D Fan Yunjie: The Spirit’s Chinese star helped to contain the U.S. Olympian in the clubs’ earlier faceoff. Milbrett has scored a goal in two straight games.
SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Arnold Baldeaux; Assistant Referees: Kia Dehpaneh (SAR), Emiliano Monje (JAR). Fourth Official: Sandra Belmont.
