Coach's Corner
presented by
MERCANTILE POTOMAC BANK
Freedom vs. New Jersey Wildcats
July 14, 2007
Maryland SoccerPlex, Germantown
Saturday’s match with the New Jersey Wildcats is a crucial match that will decide playoff positioning. The Wildcats and Freedom played to a 1-1 draw at New Jersey on June 20th. It was a very close match with the Wildcats jumping out to the early lead only to see the Freedom level ten minutes later. The final 68 minutes of the match provided both teams numerous chances to take a win. The Wildcats all season long have been in contention with the Freedom and Sky Blue for the top spot in the Northeast Division of the W-League.
The Freedom had a big win against the Sky Blue last Saturday evening in New Jersey that puts us back on top of the Northeast Division standings. It was a very physical battle played out on a small field. But I’m very proud of the team. We stuck together and even though we gave up the lead once, we made sure not to the second time around. Christie Welsh scored two goals in that contest, including the game winner in the second half and Ali Andrzejewski scored the other goal in the 3-2 win.
The Wildcats are strong in defense led by GK #39 Robyn Jones and Defender #7 Lissette Brandao. Watch for #27 Esmeralda Negron to again torment the Freedom defense with her one on one ability in the counter attack. In the Wildcats midfield watch University of Maryland’s Aimee Bresani. Listed on the Wildcats roster and scheduled to appear is former Freedom Captain # 28 Jen Grubb.
Watch for the Freedom to play an attacking style of possession soccer. The team will try press forward to create scoring chances through player movement and quality passing. Kati Jo Spisak will start in goal and Lori Lindsey will again serve as our playmaker. The Freedom has been working on its attacking wide spaces as well as changing the point of attack. See if they can execute those things as well as crossing and finishing.
Thanks for your continued support and we hope you enjoy the match.
- Jim Gabarra
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A season preview by head coach Jim Gabarra:
The Freedom enters the 2007 season with a great deal of excitement. The opportunity to compete for a Championship for the first time since winning the 2003 WUSA Founders Cup offers a great challenge, especially with the news of the return of the WUSA in 2008. Both players and staff are anxious to display the quality that is expected of a pro league team and I am confident that we have the talent again this year to do that.
We expect the season to be very challenging and rewarding both for the team and for individual development. After competing as an associate member of the W-League last season, the Freedom has respect for both the W-League and its clubs. We expect to challenge for the North Eastern Division and Eastern Conference titles as well as a berth in the W-League Final 4.
In the difficult North Eastern Division Jersey Sky Blue and the Boston Renegades seem to offer the most challenge but all other teams have long histories in the W-League so no team can be taken lightly.
Team Preview
The Freedom will be challenged to play both attractive attacking soccer as well as to strive to reach individual player developmental goals. We continue to aim to provide the structure that offers the opportunity for the best local youth and U20 players to benefit from the professional training environment and the dream of becoming a professional player.
This season fans will be able to watch some of these rising U-20 players compete in the W-League. We have also bolstered the roster with talented college players as well as a number of WUSA and National team veterans.
Here is a quick look at some of our roster with a bit of my comments on them:
RISING U20s (members of our North American Super Y League Championship team from 2006):
Chante Sandiford - GK - Chante was the MVP of the 2006 North American Super Y League Championship. She is a very talented goalkeeper who is also on the U17 National Team.
Kerry Philbin - D - .A tough defender who is at George Washington University.
Katie Watson - M/F - the co-leading scorer of the U-20 team last season, Katie had a great year at ODU
Jill Porto - M/F - shared the scoring lead with Katie Watson last year.
WUSA Veterans:
Lori Lindsey - M - Excellent playmaker and scorer, Lori has been with the Freedom since 2003.
Casey Zimny - D/M - Versatile defender and holding midfielder
Kele Golebiowski - M/F - left footed player that can play any of the wide positions
Christie Welsh - F - Veteran of the NY Power and USWNT - she was the top scorer for the National Team in 2005.
2005/2006 WFSC Members:
Tara Kidwell - M/F - Speedy flank player
Kelly Hammond - M - 2006 leading scorer
Ali Andrzejewski - F - Skilled attacking player
Mallory Mahar - D - Great in the air
Nikki Resnik - GK - Can make the big save
Melissa Whitley - D - Speedy, and can play any position in the back
Some of our college stars include Kati Jo Spisak, Sarah Huffman, Ali Krieger, Sarah Senty, Alex Singer, Danielle Hammer, Claire Zimmeck, and Mary Jo Loos.
With such a talented roster, we expect competition at all positions with the best players playing in the matches. With such a challenging and condensed schedule, look for the team to gel quickly and play at a high level right from the start.
It should be an exciting season and we look forward to seeing you all summer at the Maryland SoccerPlex!
- Jim
